POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 305, 23 June 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAPH SPKCIAL COHUESPONDKNT) Wellington, Last Night. OAPT. RUSSELL'S ARRIVAL. The Leader of the Opposition arrived from England this afternoon quite unexpectedly, the Warrimoo having put in an appearance a good many hours before her advertised time. It transpired, how ever, that the steamer made an exceptionally quick passage across from Sydney, and when it was ascertained that the Warrimoo was signalled numbers of people strolled down to the wharf, amongst them being several private friends of Capt. Russell, who warmly welcomed the Opposition Leader back to the colony. A good many newspaper men also assembled in anticipation of interviewing the Captain to ascertain his views on the political situation. Your special correspondent was amongst the latter, and in the course of a few minutes' conversation Capt. Russell informed him that he has had a most enjoyable trip in the Old Country, but that owing to his uumerous engagements in England he had never worked so hard in his life and he was sincerely glad to be back again. Capt. Russell further informed me that he had nothing special to say in the meantime owing to his six mouths' absence from the colony, but he would be in a better position to speak on political matters at the reception proposed to be given in iiis honour on Monday evening next. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

• People here are on the tip-toe of expectation as to the results of the coming session, and one hears in all directions that the fate of the Seddou Government is at last really trembling in the balance. I hear from an authentic source that the Premier himself does not anticipate a majority of more than two votes on a hostile motion or an amendment to the Address in-Reply, and reports of the usual waverers, who are ready to " trim their sails to catch the passing breeze " are not wanting. It appears, however, that Ministers cannot iu reality depend on a reliable majority of more than three and on a side issue they are liable to an actual defeat even, this session. It is now quite notorious that the personnel of the Ministry is objected to more than ever, and if this is correct the Premier may possibly appeal to the Cabinet in the interests of the Liberal party to consent to a reconstruction. In such an event, Mr Montgomery may possibly be offered a seat in the Cabinet in place of Mr T. Thompson and Mr McNab may be asked to replace Mr Hall-Jones. If Mr McNab consents to throw in his lot with the Government it would probably placate the prohibition party, and also please the electors in the extreme south of the Colony. ' This is, of course, pure speculation, but much more unlikely things have happeued in politics before now. MR McNAB'S POSITION.

The fact of Mr McNab consenting to move the Address-in-Reply would seem to indicate that he has decided to support Mr Seddon through thick and thin this ses9iou. Your readers may probably recollect that when Mr McNab was last in Parliament he was virtually the leader of the "Left Wing," and consequently often opposed Ministers. It must be admitted that during the late election, caused by the Hon. G. P. Richardson's resignation, Mr McNab distinctly stated that he would not support a no-confidence motion against the Government; still, those who know the member for Mataura intimately assert that he is likely to be a very candid friend to Mr Seddon this session, aud will probably claim a free hand on some troublesome questions.