WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 223, 28 July 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(HtOM OUII OWN COIiUESPONDENT.) July 25, 1879. The debate on tho Address in reply which commenced last Friday, will probably come to a conclusion this evening, when thore is some probability that the Government will retire into the cool shade of Opposition. The majority expected will certainly not be less than ten against the Government. The crushing speeches of Messrs Hobbs and Bryce, hitherto supporters of the Government, who, in the most clear terms—not with impassioned oratory but with plain practical good sense-gave the House convincing proofs of the maladministration of the Government. These speeches with those of Messrs Wakefield, Hursthouse, Saunders, and many others who have added their quota in proof of the misdeeds of our rulers, seem to have demoralised the ranks of the Government supporters, and tho depression that exists on their side of the House is very evident. During the debate, the new member foi Nelson City, Mr. A, Adams, the successor of Mr Sharp, made his maiden speech. His remarks were very well received, but his subjects were taken, too much from a local point of view, and although he spoke clearly and well, I should like to have heard less of Kelson, and more of New Zealand from him. The mover of the Address in Reply-Mr Shanks, the new member for Mat-aura—did not particularly distinguish himself by his speech on the occasion. Report did say that he would raJier have declined the task, as did Mr Goldie, the new'member for Auckland Gity West; but if the report is true he now adheres very strongly to his party, and will probably continue a very si rone party man. °

The .Liberal meeting held last night at the arcade seems to have been a hasco. Ihe Liberal party will suffer very much in consequence of the unfortunate action of their leaders. The condemnation of the action of the so-called Liberals at this juncture has been general. The members from all parts of A r ew Zealand are loud in their expressions of disgust; even Sir ■George's own followers are not backward in expressing their disapprobation. If this kind of action is to be persisted in, Wellington will soon havo to deplore the loss of its advantages as the seat of Government.

Speculation is rife as to the constitution of the new Ministry, but (here is no certainty yet. The earnest wish of the Leader of the Opposition is to give each district a fair representation in the new Government, and it is to bo hoped that each portfolio will be given to to that individual specially qualified to hold it. This has not by any invans been the rule hitherto. The Opposition will be justly blamed n,_ with he strong majority they are certain to have they do not choose a Ministry that will possess the confidence of the House and the people at large. There are rumors that the so-called Liberal Party will, after defeat try to force a dissolution by attempting- " stone wallnig" tactics, but if that came to be attempted I am sure that public opinion throughout the Colony would will remember _ those that wilfully obstruct public business when next they appear before them for re-election. Whatever may be the arrangement between parties with respect to a dissolution, it would be very injudicious to dissolve the House without passing the Representative Bill, and without making arrangements to place on the rolls those whom the carelessness of lload Board and County Council Clerks have deprived of their right to vote as ratepayers. My impression is that if these alterations arc made, and the Bay of Islands roll is purged from the names of those Maoris the Commissioner states were pbcod there without qualification that it would be as well to take the sense of the country as to whether autocracy or a Constitutional form of Government is to be adopted by us in the future.