PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 835, 15 July 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[By Telegraph.] [from our special correspondent.] *' WELLINGTON. This Day. OPPOSITION CAUCUS. So far as present appearances go, there' is no organisation m the Opposition ranks. They tried a caucus on Saturday, but only about half-a-dozen turned up. The meeting was then adjourned to yesterday, when there was a muster of 22. Nothing was, however, done. THE OPPOSITION LEADER. It was intimated that Mr. Whitaker positively declined to take the leadership, and that he had stated that his business engagements would preclude his joining any Ministry. The caucus then adjourned until today, when an attempt will be made to appoint a leader, and organise an attack. It is considered probable that after all Sir William Fox will take the lead. Mr. Thomson, member for Clutha, has accepted a seat m the Cabinet. He desired to have the portfolio of Minister of lands, and was told his wish would be complied with. It has been found hopeless to put Mr. Bunny forward for the Chairmanship of Committees, and Mr. Bryce will have the Government support for the post. TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. There has been a rumor m circulation that Sir George Grey had expressed his willingness to retire at the end of the present session if his party would continue their support to him till then.; but t!i is is very strongly denied. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Financial Statement will probably be made this day fortnight. HALF-MILLION LOAN. It is reported that Government will ask the House to pass a Temporary Loan Bill for half a million, through all its stages to-morrow, so that instructions to raise the money may be sent to England by the outgoing mail. POLITICAL WEATHERCOCKS. There never was such wavering among the supposed supporters of any Government as there appears to be just now. What is regarded by some of the disaffeoted as a Ministerial vice is by others thought a virtue and vice verm. There is no arriving at even a proximate notion of the strength of parties, until the address m reply is debated. There never were so many people sitting on a rail before.