Doubt less Sir Geoeoe Geet would be prepared to take office to-morrow if he could do so triumphantly and as the unquestioned leader of a firmly united and sufficiently numerous party ; but there is not the slightest ground for supposing that he would descend to plot and scheme with Mr Montoomeet for the overthrow of the Government on the chance that after the event he (Sie Geoege) might be enabled to form one of a ministerial mob culled from every section of the present Opposition; each man holding himself worthy of ft t first place, and none willing to give such service as the former chief of the so-called Liberal party would have a right, or, at all events, would think he had the right, to expect.. It is not a position Sir Geoege Geet covets. It is not a position he would accept if it were offered to him to-morrow. Judging by his Auckland speech, he claims that he is himself an. Opposition powerful enough to compel attention and sometimes submission from those in office. Perhaps he overrates his influence in that respect, but we are by no means pre pared to pronounce that his words wore nothing but an empty boast. We will go as far as to say that he is really more powerful at present, than he would bo if he were one of a Ministry constituted on such lines as we have just indicated. On the other hand, Mr Montoomeet, though he has an opinion of his own merits, which is 1

shared by no one else, is tortured by a desire to sit on the Treasury bench, and might, for aught wc know to the contrary, be prepared to make advances to Sir Geohoe Grey, in the hope that in the confusion con sequent on the defeat of the Ministry he (Mr Montqomeky) might chance to come somehow by a portfolio. But, though there is no compact, the result, as far aa a division on an admendment to the motion for the Address in Reply, may bo the same as if there had been the closest union between the two— between the giant and the dwarf. Sir George Geey and Mr Mont gomery may find themselves in the same lobby, and we take it for granted that such will be the case. 