POLITICAL NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3798, 17 June 1880, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

[By Tblbgbaph.] [FBOM OUB SPECIAL COBBE6PONDBNT.J WELLINGTON, Junb 17. I have obtained the following particulars relative to the Opposition caucus hold yesterday. Mr Macandrew occupied the oHir. The feeling seemed unanimoualy in favour of opposing the Government proposals as enunciated in the financial statement. The question of setting aside Mr Macandrew as leader Bnd appointing Hir George Grey wnß discussed, but a strong personal feeling being exprssed by certain membors of the party ag*'nst euch a step, it was agreed that those who chose to follow Sir Georgo Groy should do so, whilst those in favour of following Mr Maiandrow's course should follow that gentloman. Sir George Grey stated that he woidd fight and lead those prepared to follow him. Tbe moeting was adjourned until to-day, in order to come to an arrangement. It was thought to submit a resolution of no confidence on the Financial Statement, but tbe acceptance of Sir George Grey'B motion for the repeal of the Property tax Bill as a no confidence motion altors the position. The Oivil Service Commission report lias been somewhat remodelled, and will probably be laid on the table to-day. It is understood that the reduction of 12 _ per cent on salaries will apply to the Railway Department. Under the heading " A littlo speech that the Hon John Bryce should have made," the Chronicle has the following : — Mr Speßkor, — Tho member for Mount Ida, Mr DeLautour has put tho following question upon tho notice paper, viz, : —Whether tho Govornment are awaro that Mr R. S. Thompson, tho Government Interpreter attached to Colonel Roberts' staff, has been employed by the Press Association and the New Zealand Timet nowspaper as a coirespondent while engaged in tho Government service ? In reply 1 beg to state thafc I hold iii my hand a letter from Iho Manager of the Press Association, in which he admits that Mr Thompson was for some time an ngont of theirs, but that he was unaware thafc he was in the Government employ. I merely montion this because such a letter has been nddreeeed to me, not because it is at all portinent to Mr DeLautour's question. Neither the editor nor tho proprietors of the Nctv Zealand Timrs have addressed mo on the eubjcl, and in the case of the paper there are obvious reason* why we should assume that silence if tantamount to admission. Sir, whether my colleagues like it or no, I am determined to retrieve my reputation for political honesty, and I beg to state that it is quite within my knowlodge, fchafc Mr Thompson, whilo in t.ho Govornmont employ, acted as correspondent to tho Press Aesooiat'on, and to certain journals thafc support onr policy. Sir, as 1 am making a clean breast of it, I may us well state that the gentleman who acted as correspond en fc of the Cbristchurch Frets, a journal dtvobed heart and soul to our interest, was ako in the Government employ in the capacity of shorthand writer to our « om mission on Wert Coast affairs. Sir, the Governmonfc was induced to adopt the exceptional course of' permitting ite servants to act ac special oorretpondents to newspapers rolativ to affnirs »n the West Coast, because we found that a wealthy and independent journal (I refer to the LyUelton Times) had despatched &■ momber of its staff to the spot, who could not bo brought under influence; this ib a mont painful admission to make, but it is the only, rapljp that can hontstly bo mado to Mr DcLatour's question." Two items in yesterday afternoon's debate deserve special mention, the dieengenous answer made by the Native Minister in reply to Mr Hamlin's notice of motion for the production of the corn spondence between the Defence and Public Works Departments, and Mr Ballunce'e speeches on fcho sebMemenfc on •the land by the industrial alasfes. Mr Bryce appealed to tho House not to orde? the production of tho confidential, telegrams whioh had passed between Colonel Rbbcrts nnd himsolf, to wliich tho Hou^e tacitly assented, on tho grounds set forth that their production might pra»o inimical to tho public Bnfoty. After* nlr Bryco had Bat down, Major Aikinwn roee with the view of confirming V.co impression made on the Houso by his colleague, and assured the Houee that no road what ovea had been commenced on the Wosfc Coast and aban« doncd ; all that had hewi done was. to make tho- road narrower, so (hat itcould bo prooeodnd with faster. This of course is an absolute, mis- statement. M^ Brice threatened that if ihe llou-ecompalled; the production of tho correspondent o, ho would resign his porfcfftjp. Mr Unllatieo, on -tW-ivTindf-Quceiion, -was very hnppy. H<v pointed out how tho Q*vornmont hud misinterpreted the s-pncialiwttlemont chupeeof the Land Act, and hod w> administered iho land that foreign. capilaiwte alone ecuild availi thorruolvcH of its operation, vJu'le. cambiniiiions e>f tho industrial c'mssob who, wanted te BctUe ou tho lands wero. t,o!n hy ".Ho Miri-'er of h:r.:is thai thoy h»(LbetUr take land ou defwrod payment. His. speech wns a very mast arly on*,, and it haa been tho subject of niooh'coiunwjut. I am informed that, Ministers have octll a sup* porter to Sir William Kos to a-k him if he would reply to Mr Hallavre, and Sir William admitted hie inability to do so satisfactorily. Ther© is a rumour t"ual_ two prominent supporters of the Ministry nre about to institute proceedings ngnin^ Mr Sheehan for an alleged misappropriation of £10)0 in connection with tho Waitura Native Moeting hold two years ago. Party feeling is now running vory high, i»nd things generally nro getting remarkably wurm.