THE COMING SESSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7066, 19 January 1891, Page 4

THE COMING SESSION.

[-BOT- OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON, Jan. 18, WILL THE BKB3ION BB LONG?

The arrival of the Premier, the Hon E. C. J. Stevens, Sir John Hall and the Hon W. Rolleston sets us all talking ahout the coming session. " Will it be long ?" "Will it be soon over?" "Shall we have two sessions ?" These are the questions in all mouths, and the last of them is the crucial question. Strange to say, it is the question which finds a rather general unanimity of response, for it has suddenly become an open secret that the session will be a long one, and that there will be no other this year. This, as far as I can ascertain, is the general feeling in the Ministerial camp. Ministers themselves are very reticent, but the impression among their followers is that their tacticß will produce a long session. It is very difficult to get at anything with certainty, chiefly because there are certain reasons why nothing should be divulged until the proper moment. I am told, however, that the uncertainty which existed up to a few days ago, has beon ended by —liniaterial decision. What that decision may be is the subject of various rumours, the major part of which need not be made to burden the telegraph wireß. THE POSSIBLE PBOORAMME. The most probable of them is worth recording, as sketching tbe programme with something like plausible detiniteness. Of course I.can only give it to you for what it worth. Firstly, comes the appointment of Sir Harry Atkinson to the Speakership of the Upper House, which involves, of course, the resignation of the I Premier, and brings to an end the Govern- ! ment of which he is the head. There iB already an accompauiment of mutterings among the Councillors, and their friends also are naturally of the opinion that there are plenty of men in the Council who are quite good enough to occupy the Speaker's chair, and what iB more, have won the right, by hard service, to do so. Prom beyond the Upper House tbis muttering of discontent finds a good deal of echo. The next step will be a reconstruction, and the question is, nnder whom as Premier. To give a guess, based en many observations, I shall not be surjanised to find Mr Rolleston gazetted as Premier. The work of the session will then be taken up earnestly in the usual cut-and-dried fashion ,* no resigning ; no meeting of "no-confidence" resolutions half-way. You can imagine the sequel : grand capture of wild elephants (that comparison cf yours has been quoted here, and much relished, Mr Editor) ; grand mystery ; grand fight • grnnd programme, with a grand Land Bill for one pidce de resistance, and finally, a grand long session, with the double honorarium avoided. A SLIGHT DEFECT. The only defect I can see in the programme, which is otherwise very complete, is that it does not reckon with Mr Ballance and an appreciably large following. On that Bide there is a rumour tbat Mr Hutchison haa been promised a portfolio. Of course the programme I' have alluded to involves the appointment of of bur new members to the Upper House be-ude Sir Harry Atkinson. The names are, of course, familiar to you. It is held, too, on the Ministerial side that the English precedent is in favour of the practice ; and for anything I know to the contrary, the Bame view may be held by the Governor.

[Pee Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, Jan. 18,

Ib was very positively rumoured last night that the Ministry would resign on Tuesday. Members of the Cabinet who were in town just as positively denied any such intention. The Premier arrived at noon, accompanied by the Hon K. C. J. Stevens, Sir John Hall and the Hon W. Rolleston. He declined to give any information, and Ministers generally are extremely reticent, both as to the Legislative Council appointments and as to the probability of Sir Harry assuming the Speakership of tbe Upper Homo. It iB pretty well known that this is a contingency which is occupying the minds of Ministers, and it seems to be supposed that a temporary reconstruction may take place to enable the Premier to resign and be appointed to the vacant position. Sir P. Whitaker arrived yesterday, and ft Cabinet meeting will be held to-morrow morning, at which all Ministers will be present.