Parliamentary Gossip.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 838, 18 July 1879, Page 2

Parliamentary Gossip.

WELLINGTON. This Day. THE HALF-MILLION LOAN. A good deal of regret is expressed that there should have been any impediment to proceeding with the introduction of the Loan Bill for a half million. It appears it was only a little before the House met on Wedinesday afternoon that the Premier learned from the Governor he would not assent to any Bill until the speech was replied to. The Governor was referred to a precedent of last year, when the Native Lands Act Amendment Bill was assented to three days before the address was even moved, but. His Excellenry refused to be guided by it. Unware of this, Ministers thought when calling the House together for the 11th that there would be ample time to get a small Loan Bill for half a million through, so that it might go by the outmail going, seeing that it might be considered a measure on which allsides were likely „to agree.^ The money is not wanted to pay interest'as has been supposed, but for the payment of large quantities of steel rails and other material contracted for m London by the Government, m order to take advantage of the unexceptionally low rates ruling there lately. The Colony was bound to borrow before September next, < a guarantee to thatjeffecthavingbeen given whenjthelast loan was raised. It was thought the best time to place a new loan would probably be on the fulfiment of that guarantee, and there was reason to believe that on the loan proposals reaching England m September, the Bank of England would have provided all funds required until the loan could be fully placed. Doubtless Sir William Fox was taken by surprise, but it is scarcely to be conceived how he could have done otherwise than oppose the motion for going on with the address on Wednesday evening, if the Opposition had then already determined, as is now reported, to bring down a motion of want of confidence, as an amendment to the address. WANT OF CONFIDENCE MOTION. It is believed that the vote of want of confidence will be carried, and m best informed circles it is stated that the Government will be m a minority of from 10 to 15. Among the liberal party there is a strong feeling that the only way to escape is for Sir George Grey to resign, and advise the Governor to send for some other member of the party to recoji-' struct the Government. There is, however, not the slightest chance of anything of the kind. Sir George Grey would sooner all the rest should go than go himself. The impression is that he will try every possible manoeuvre not to have to resign. THE COMING MEN. It is stated that if Fox is asked to form a Ministry it will consist of himself, as Premier, ' John Hall, Macfarlane, Johnston, Rolleston, Wakefield, and Stevens, and also Oliver, if possible to get him. Probably it will be a long and stormy sitting of the House this afternon and evening. ' Yesterday's proceedings were tame and uninteresting. The House had a very brief sitting.