POLITICAL NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1687, 14 October 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

4 [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT..! Wbllinqton. October 13. NEVf HOSPITAL DISTaiOTS. An the two Bills Introduced by Major Steward and Mr Maoarthu-, having tor their object the amendment of tie Hoapitai aud Charitable Aid Ac f , nod as both have a dmilar end, the gentlemen will, I understand, join forces and com* bine to carry out their desires. Major Steward's Bill provides for separate hospital for Waimate Hospltil Dietrht, In Canterbury, and Mr Macarthnr for » separate district for Man*wa!u It haa been, decide! to provide for both m one BUI, which will m future be m Mr Maoarthur'a name. OLD SOLDIERS* CLAIMS. Mr T. 1 homaon, member for Auckland, has given notice to ask the Minister for Lands if It is the inteation of Government to reintroduce this aaa' 1 m the Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteeis Bill of last session, with a view to giving effjet to the report of the Commit cc Appointed to enquire into the claims of such Naval ! and Military Settlers and Volunteers. I THE BANKRUPTCY ACT. 1 Mr Peacock gave notice to aak whether ' they, will 0 naidor the desirability of amending the Bankruptcy Act, especially 1 with regard to giving to a large majority of creditors Jn bankrupt estates power to ; decide upon the mannerjin which they shul be managed to prevent unnecessary sacri 1 fice of the aarao. THE PEERS AND COMMONS. Some amuseuient wan caused m the House to-day by notice .given by Mr Levestam, whether Government will amend the Disqualification Act, bo that , members of thejLogislal;ive Council, who -, make use of \j^t position to influence elections of members of the House of Representatives, shall be disqualified from holding their seats. ATTEPNOON. PROCEEDINGS. The proceedings ia the Hopse this [ afternoon called for no Bpecial comment. ( Ab expected, the debate on the Addresa-in-Reply did not come off, beiog adjourned on the suggestion of Major Atkinson till the evening. A little sparring bewtean Major Atkinson and Sir Julius Yogel took place over the matter. There was ; no result, except the fact that Major , Atkinson virtually accepted the position of Sir Julius Vogol as leader of the Opposition. Sir Julius suggested that « the Premier had not yet made his state ment of the policy of the Government which Bhould be given btfottthe financial policy, bat the M*jor was not t> ha drawn oat m that way, and replied that be intended to wake a general statement of h»s policy on Friday fortnight. Sir Julias V -gel retorted that it was most anuaml let the 6. v-jrnnunt to sit on the benches for six weeks wi hout making a general statement as to their policy. The matter then dropped. The remainder of the afternoon's business, except the election of a Chairman of C mraltteee, was of a purely formal character. THE ADDBESS- IN -REPLY. Wellington, October 14. There was a vary interesting debate on the Address-in- Reply last night, some capital speeches being delivered from both sides of the House. Towards the close of the debate surprise was caused by Mr J. MoKenzla moving an amendment to the effeot that an address be sent bo the Governor asking that In future there be only five Ministers. Sir Julius Yogel aud other members of the party refused to support the amendment as inopportune, and the result was a foregone conclusion, the amendment being negatived by 56 to 6. A HOENK IN THE HOtSE A painful ecano occurred last evening dining Me JtHaher'a speech on the Addrees-in-Reply. Mr Fisher was making some statement when Sir J. Yogel lnterupted him with the remark that "It is a deliberate untruth." The Speaker immediately called on him to withdraw the statement, and Sir J. Yogel seemed ' inclined to argue the point, but Sir Maurice was very firm aud Sir Julius eventually withdraw the remark, though he adhered to the substance of the statement and the Speaker accepted the apology. COMMITTEE OF SDPPLY. At the conclusion of the debate on the Address-in- Reply the House went into Committee of Supply and resolutions authorising £200,000 were passed through the first stiges. The second attige will be taken to-day, 'and it is believed that private Bills will aUo be paahed on a bit. THE ADJOURNMENT The motion for adjournment will be considered probably m the evening, but (t in thought there will probably be a good deal of dUcu*sion, aud an adverse motion is expected.