POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3176, 17 July 1879, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[telegraphed by oun cokkekpondkxt.] THE LOAN BILL. 'Wednesday, July 1(5.— 1t was understood that the Address iii lleply was to be moved 0:1 '« Friday next, and ii<»>eacUi House no ice was .so given. To-day, however, tho Premier asked, without notice, that the debate take place this evening at 7.30, so that the Committee of Supply could bo set up, and the Governor empowered, according to practice, to assent to a Loan Bill, it being considered unconstitutional to assent to a Bill before tho Governor should have received the Address in Reply. Sir G. Grey explained that the reason for the urgency was that they were advised that if the loans could not be offered in September, that it would be dillicult to place it, at any perio:l nearer the end of the year, in the London market. To do this the Bill would have to bo assented to .and despatched by the Friday's out-going mail. He had been under the impression that the Hill could have been assented to before the Address in Haply had been passed, but found he was mistaken, and asked the House not to allow the country to suffer because of the mistake made. Sir \V. Fox, as leader of the Opposition, refused to allow the motion to ba put, as it was of a most extraordinary character, and contrary to established usage to do away with the ordinary safeguard in voting supplies ; but he specially objected to hastening the debate on the Address, as ho was hot at all prepared. As the unanimous consent of the House was required, the motion could not be put, or the passage of the bill postponed. OPPOSITION TACTICS. ' It is probable that the intention of the Opposition is (o meet the Government at once by a vote of want of confidence. STEAM COMMUNICATION. ■ The Committee moved by Mr. Macandrcw re steam communication with England was rejected by a majority of three. LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. The appointment of Sir W. Fox as leader has not given universal satisfaction. Among tho Opposition there will be a sulHciciit number willing to join to turn but the Government, but a large number hold themselves at liberty to refuse to support any Ministry that may be subsequently formed. THE FUTURE MINISTRY. The desire is for a new Cabinet, having few or none of the gentlemen who formed part of the "continuous Ministry." X this is not done there may be two changes during this session. The members of the late Government arc, I hear, not desirous for office, but will aid in forming a Government having tho confidence of the House, without any reference to their own claims. There is no doubt that a little patriotism al the present crisis would prevent the present difficulty.