PARLIAMENT.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1287, 20 June 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, 19.

At last the session is in full swing, and there is more than ordinary vitality in political circles.

Although it has been the custom for some time past for Ministerial adherents to decry the Opposition, and lament its disorganised state, it is becoming daily more apparent that the

" outs " are not in anything like the deplorable state their opponents would make out. An Opposition, and a very active one, certainly does exist, and an amicable understanding having been arrived at between Grey and Montgomery, the chances are that it will gain strength as the session advances. Already it is hinted that many doubtful members are looking about for convenient rails whereon to perch, and the Opposition have managed so adroitly that unless the Government at once put forth something of a policy to keop the party together, the Ministry must lose— even if the Opposition do not gain — by the aggregation of a third section in the House. Talk ~ oifc - anv ■& independent party " was one of the features of the close of last session, and the same thing has been revived, and I should not be at all surprised to see something come of it shortly. The opinion makes headway that the Colony has had pretty well enough of Major Atkinson and Whitaker. They virtually constitute the Government of the reigning party, Johnston, Connbly, and Dick being regarded as thorougly plastic in their hands. Bryce stands high in the favor of all sections, and Rolleston has also to some extent survived the unpopularity of his colleagues, but, over the whole, opinion shows that a fresh shuffling of the cards, and a fresh deal, would fall acceptably upon the country. ,