POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 480, 12 November 1877, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

-: \Mr : :$. <&;. ' ... ■ «[BY TEIfEGK'i&H, FRO'Mf':Ptfß OWN COKKE- ,; *v' sponoent:] Wellington, November 11. The following,telegram, was received on frbfriAlexandra : •'November 10, 1877. " To John Sheehan, " Through the desire of Tawhiao to see Sir George Grey he has told the people of his district to collect food ; also from Maungakawa, Maungatantari, and other places. There has arrived here several tons of potatoes and flour, which have been taken on to Kopua by the natives in canoes. Canoes have also gone down the Waipa to get eels, and other natives have gone to Kawahia to get fish ; so that by the time Sir George Grey has arrived there will be abundance of food for the assemblage. Tawhiao is now waiting for word from Sir George Grey when he is coming.—Major Te Wheoro." The latest phase of the political situation is Mr. Stafford throwing out suggestions that, as the present political struggle is a personal question between Major Atkinson and Sir George Grey, both should retire, and that the Ministry should be completed from either side of the House in the discretion of the Government. Mr. Stafford promises, if this compromise is effectable, to bring over ten supporters to the Government. The Opposition to-day look much dispirited. The proposal to accept Mr. Travers as the leader of the Opposition created considerable dissension. It is understo >d that there is not the slightest intention on Sir George Grey's part to accept Mr. Stafford's proposed compromise by retiring from the Premiership. The Government is practically safe for this session, although the Opposition threaten resistance on going into Committee of Supply. Many of them are weary of the struggle at this late period of the season, and. it is not likely to come to anything.