POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6351, 20 June 1882, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

[By Telegraph.]

(fbom oue own correspondent.)

Wellington, June 19th,

Two Opposition caucuses took place to-day. .The first was held in the morning. It was cong vened by Messrs Feldwick and Steward, as whips for the party, and "about 25" members are stated by the whips to have been present. Mr De Lautour was in the chair, and according to the version which he was authorised to communicate to the Press as to the proceedings, it was agreed that common organisation was necessary if any useful criticism of the Government measures was carried out, but that it was not necessary to appoint a leader. An independent version is to the effect that the meeting was attended by about 12 or 15 of the older members belonging to the ranks of the Opposition. A desultory discussion ensued, during which nothing was mentioned regarding the permanent appointment of a leader, nor with respect to any contemplated attack upon the Government. Conversation related principally to the order of business" to be pursued during the session, the criticism to be brought to bear on Government, and the means of coming to a friendly understanding with new members who are not supposed to be supporters of Government.

This afternoon an adjourned meeting* was held, Mr De Lautour again presiding. After some discussion it is officially stated.to have been decided " that a common basis of opposition should be agreed to, and with tljat object all the Opposition and independent members should be invited by Messrs Steward and Feldwick to meet on Wednesday morning nextj to decide what form the organisation of the party should take; in the meantime the members present to be independent, and take such course as they think fit." Such is the " authorised version." I am not responsible for its wording. Sir George Grey was present, but Mr Pyke and others were absent. From one quarter I hear that 12 members were present, and eight or nine "accounted for." Even granting the whole 25, it does not seem a promising prospect. One rumour afloat is to the effect that Mr Montgomery and Mr Macandrew have declared their willingness oither to lead or,follow Sir George Grey as the party may deem best. I hear that Sir George Grey has declined to commit himself to anybody, but declares ho will remain an independent member.

The Times says :—".Various caucuses have been held among Parliamentary representatives during the last few days, and the results so far as yet [joint to the formation of two parties arrayed against the present Ministry one under the leadership of Sir George Grey and the other under Mr Montgomery, with a sort of tacit agreement prevailing that when the fitting time comes they will coalesce for defensive and offensive purposes. The arrangement, assuming that it has any" foundation outside the uncertainty of passing rumour, does not' indicate any dignified or staple opposition." The Times also claims Major Harris, the newly-elected memher for Franklin Aorth, as a Government supporter, on the strength of the following- utterance by the candidate at the nomination, which took place at Otahuhu on Friday, the 11th inst. Major Harris is reported by the New Zealand Herald to have spoken as follows :— "As to supporting Mr Whitaker, that was true; he had'promised hi* support to an Auck-

and man, and he would give it. He would give Mr Whitaker's Government a thoroughly fair trial, but he would not be dragged through the dirt by any Government." The correspondents of other papers also report him to have declared his intention to support the Premier and his Government. Throughout his fandidature Major Harris constantly expressed similar sentiments in language which was not equivocal, and he appears to have been accepted by the constituency on these conditions.

There is some talk of a new party, calling themselves the "clean-sheet" party, their basis of operations being "to let the dead past bury its dead," and " start afresh with a clean aneet. lnis idea seems popular among the new members, who are evidently much puzzled whom to believe^after the positive affirmations and denials to which they have beeu alternately treated by both sides regarding past transactions.

There was to have been a meeting of the Ministerial party this afternoon, but that now stands postponed. There has been a long Cabinet meeting at Major Atkinson's house this evening, the result of which has not transpired; but it is known that Mr Bryce is greatly annoyed at the'strong opposition which thelNative Reserves Bill has encountered from members of the Ministerial p*ty. It is even rumoured that he has openly declared his in:' tention of resigning if the bill does not pass in substantially the state in which he introduced it. But this I cannot vouch for. It is understood that H.M.S. Miranda is under orders to be ready to proceed to Fiji. His Excellency ia said not at all to relish any allusion to his pending departure, and 1 hear that recently he severely snubbed an unfortunate consul who innocently wished him a pleasant voyage. The' Commissioner of thp Government Insurance Department has issued a circular to all the total abstinence societies in New Zealand on the subject of a special " temperance section of life assurance. A new branch, called the "temperance branch," has been established, in which , all total abstainers may assure their lives at rates ordinarily charged, but with the privilege that at each quinquennial investigation into the results "of the department s work they shall have their policies valued separately, and have the whole of the profits accruing therefrom divided amongst themselves separately. Copies of the circular hare been forwarded to the various country postmasters. •