LATEST PARLIAMENTARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5023, 9 June 1884, Page 2

LATEST PARLIAMENTARY.

Confusion Reigns Supreme. Clearing for Action. Mr M'Lean's Refusal. [SPECIAL TO THE " STAB."] WELLINGTON, June 9. ' The situation is not clear, but is clearing. Fifty members are declared to be leady to vote against the Government, if they can only agree upon a leader. Sir George Grey has his partisans, who insist that his great services to the party, his leading position, and what they call his Southern victories, are strong reasons for giving him the leadership. Should he get it, the chnin of fifty-one will turn out to have some links of sand. Mr Montgomery's followers are, of course, equally strong that he should be tho leader ; and his leadership ought to command a large following, if only for consistency's sake. A third party would like to put forward Mr Larnachjis the mover of the amendment to the Address in Eeply. Mr Larnach has played this role once before : it is new to most people to find him put forward as a member of the party. With him would probably be associated Mr Wakefield ; and, some of the knowing ones think, Sir Julius Yogel. Sir Julius is for borrowing of a kind, as his letter to your contemporary the Lyttelton Times explains ; and as his address to the electors of the East Coast shows, he has protectionist leanings. Mr Wakefield has on the other hand nailed his colours to the mast for free trade and no borrowing. How the Wo can unite, does not seem clear to the unsophisticated. Another set of members, who have promised to vote against the Government, are described as likely to put up somebody to move the amendment to the Address in Reply, in order that they may be defeated, and relieved of an irksome pledge. Confusion, of course, reigns supreme over all these possibilities. To-day I hear that something definite will be arranged among the leading members, so as to leave the ground clear for action to-morrow. The report sent to you that the Hon George M'Lean was to be the new Minister was correct so far as the Ministerial part of the story was concerned. Mr M'Lean was asked to join the Ministry ; Mr M'Lean has, however, refused.