POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9139, 11 June 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(Fbom Oub Own Cobbesfondent.)

Wellington, June 10.

EVE OF THE SESSION.

Considering that to-day is the eve of the session everything has beeu quite preternafcuraliy quiet in politics. Very few members are to be eeen as yet about the House, and so far aa the aspect of the Parliamentary Buildings goes the session might be months instead of hours distant. But all this will soon be changed. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. The Speech from the Throne will be, I hear, of ths usual general and non-committal character, simply telling the House in the vaguest language what everybody knows already, and has known for months about the Ministerial policy and intentions. Mr M'Guire is to give notice to-morrow afternoon of the Address-in-Reply, and the debate will begin on Friday. There seems a fixed conviction that it will be somewhat protracted in duration, as many members are burning to have their say at the earliest possible moment touching the administration of the Government during their brief term of office, and as to their present policy. PARTY MOVEMENTS. A rumour was current this morning of an Opposition caucus being summoned for tomorrow, but I am assured on apparently trustworthy authority that it is not intended to hold a meeting of either party until there shall be a tolerably full attendance of members. This can hardly be before next week, so far as present appearances go. MR WIGLEY. Mr Wigley ia earnestly pressicg upon the Government the propriety of his re-appointment to the Legislative Council, merely on the ground that his seat is only accidentally forfeited through his illness preventing bis presence in time. To this it is answered that he ought to have applied to the Governor for leave of absence instead of allowing the matter to drift, and that no good reason has been shown why he should be appointed anew, having allowed his former appointment to lapse through lack of duo care. The Government will consider his application, but I hear there is no likelihood of its being granted. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. I informed you some weeks ago thst the retirement of the chief officer in the public trust department was even then virtually determined upon. This is now confirmed so far as the three principal officers, Messrs Hamerton, Da Castro and Wilson are concerned. THE SITUATION. Yesterday I communicated to you the gist of an interview with a staunch Ministerialist who took a somewhat gloomy view of the Ministerial prospects. To-day I had a lengthened interview with a staunch Oppositionist, who, curiously enough, took an equally gloomy view of his own side's cbancef. " Yes, I fully expect to sec several men secedo from the Government party on various grounds," ho said, " but, nevertheless, I fear that Ministers are quite safe for this session, because several of our men will go over to them. I look'on Messrs Carrol!, Hamlin, and Thompson as lost to us, so they will make up for as many secessions from the other side, aud will leave a clear majority for the Government, even if evtry expected secession should come off. They havo done many unpopular things. . Nevertheless I believe the bulk of their party both in the House aud outside will stick to them through thick and thin. We shall have just to wait end watch for the present." A Ministerialist— a country member—assured mo emphatically to-day that their party would stand firm as a rock and staunch as a stone wall, in spite of all that had been alleged to the contrary, CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES, Rumour points to a battle over the Chairmanj ship of Committee?. It ia snid that Mr Fisher I will be proposed, and will have considerable support, but not from the Government, who are expected to put forward Mr Haruliuas theic candidate, Mr W. 0, Smith appears to have dropped put of the Face fpr tie eb^ir.

TOBACCO GROWING. A question of foiuq industrial interest was .raised to-day. Mr Austin Walcn, proprietor of the Atlas Tobacco Factory, "Auckland, waited on the Government to ask that the Tobacco Aot, which expires this year, should be extended, in which case the tobacco growing industry would be largely developed in the North of Auckland district. The Government promised to give the application their careful consideration. They appeared to be favourably disposed. Mr Houston, M.H.R., introduced the deputation.