POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 429, 12 September 1877, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[By Teleguapu, from our own Correspondent.]

Wellington, September 12. The division list on Mr. Ree's motion for a Committee to inquire into the dealings of certain persons in Hawke's Bay in the purchase of native lands does not altogether indicate the relative positions of parties in the House. (Several members who voted with the Government are known to favour a change in the Administration, but voted against Mr. Rees' motion because they did not thii.lv a Committee would be any good. Others voted as they did because some of the cases which would have formed the subject of inquiry had a Committee been appointed will most probably come before the notice of tie Law Courts. Amongst those who voted with the Government were Messrs. Bdlance, Bryee, Lrimsdcii, Burns and others who are pretty sure to vote against the Ministry on a direct motion for a change of Government, while Messrs. Joyce and Murray, who did not vote on the late motion, are known opponents of the Government ; and Messrs. Stevens, Curtis, and some others are doubtf d. It will thus be seen that parties are pretty evenly balanced, and when the struggle for possession ot seats on the Treasury Benches does come it will be a verv warm one.

Tho Native Lands Sale Stoppage Bill lias not yet been printed, but its contents have 1 aked out. It is a short Bill of three clauses, and prohibits all sales, leases, or mortgages of native lands init'l luxt session, under severe penalties. The middle Oj>position party is very sti'ong, btit has not yet decided on a policy. Tne Catholics are anxious to have the Education Bdl talked out.

A no-contidonce motion will probably come oil afterwards.