PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7403, 11 August 1885, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[FROM OUR OWN correspondent.]' Wellington, Monday. FURTHER DEFECTIONS FROM "THE

MINISTRY. Various reports have been current during the last day or two, pointing to further defections from the Ministerial ranks being imminent. Those rumours have proved accurate. Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Barron wrote to the Premier to day, formally intimat. ing that they must no longer be deemed in any respect supporters of the Government, but must now be considered free even from the qualified support they have but lately given to Government, but they do not declare that they go into opposition. It was reported that they had asked Mr. Ormond to move a no-confidence motion, but this is denied. The reason given for Messrs. Montgomery's and Barron's withdrawal is that both gentlemen, in common with many others who have hitherto given Ministers a general support, are thoroughly dissatisfied with tho speculative and changeable policy of the Government, which is ruled by the Colonial Treasurer. They are dissatisfied with the past, and have little hope for the future while the Ministry is constituted as at present. Sir J. Vogel's constant ehauge of purpose, and his perilous schemes, are said to be the grounds on which so many who have hitherto been favourably disposed toward the Government now prefer to hold themselves free agents. Captain Sutter has also, 1 hear, sent to-day a letter to the Premier confirming his former withdrawal from the Ministerial ranks, and basing his action on Sir J. Vogel's unsatisfactory behaviour in withholding so long from the House the full purport of the Meiggs' proposals, while ho was endeavouring to get the House to adopt them as they stood. Other secessions are likely to follow. At the same time this is unlikely to lead to a no-confidence motion, for it is known that Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Samuel, and others who voted against Ministers on the Meiggs question, would probably vote with the Government if a no-confidence motion was proposed, and as Mr. Montgomery voted both for Meiggs and tho Native Land Disposition Bill, and Mr. Barron for the latter, makes it unlikely that Major Atkinson would favour any attempt iu which they would take a prominent part. night, however, there are some new and important rumours afloat of which I may have more to say later.

MEETING OF CANTERBURY

MEMBERS,

This morning a meeting of the Canterbury, West Coast, and Nelson members was held to consider the situation with reference to the East and West Coast Railway. Members were pledged to secrecy as to what transpired, but I have it from a most reliable source, indeed I give the statement as a fact, that the meeting decided to ask Government to place a sum on the Estimates lor the construction of the line, that the decision was reprpsoutod to the Government, and that the Government have agreed to the request.

MEIGGS

It is reported that the delegates in London were so sanguine that their Meiggs proposals would be agreed to, that a representative of the firm is already on his way to the colony by direct steamer. THE LATEST RUMOURS. A rumour is current to-night, and is insisted upon with much circumstantiality, that a Ministerial crisis is imminent in spite of tho apparent removal of difficulties. It is very strongly »ssertcd that Mr. Stout will very shortly insiit on tendering his resignation of the Premiership on some ground not yet disclosed. His doing so would of course ipso f*r(» break up the Ministry, in which case, probably, an attempt would bo made to induce Major Atkinson's p*rty to take office. If they consented, rumour further goes, they would be almost immediately turned out again on the first convenient pretext, while if they refused, then a complete reconstruction of tho Ministry from the present party would take place, Sir J. Vogel and Mr. Larnach going out, and Mr. Macandrew and Mr. Montgomery, and perhaps one or two new men coming in with Mr. Stout and Mr. Ballance. In that casa it is supposed the now Ministry would command an irresistibly strong following, while the Atkinson party would bo reduced to utter powerlessness. Such, at all events, is to-night's lobby rumour, which 1 give for what it may ba worth. It is said that the Canterbury members demanded a vote of £25,000 for the East and West Coaßt Railway, and that the Government are willing to promise this conditionally on receiving a pledge of support during the rest of the se*Eion. All such arrangements may, however, be summarily disposed of in the event of the rumour previously alluded to proving accurate, and I know that certain members are in hourly expectation of tho Premier making a statement to the effect indicated, viz., that he was compelled to tender his resignation.