PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1842, 16 May 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(From otjr own Correspondent.)

Wellington, May 15 It appears that the fhnk movement of the Opposition on Friday last, by whloh it waa decided nut to debate the Address-In-repiy, and, again, this afternooD, m dropping tbe debao on tha Chinese Immigration -Bill, has taken the Government by surprise, aod they are said to be m a veritablo hole iv o^nsoquouoe. It was antiolpated that the former debate woald have lasted at least two sitting*, and the Ohiaeue Bill another two days; bat the pndden collapse of both haß revealed the foot that the Government are utterly unprepared to m?et the House, and have not a single Bill ready. The Electoral Bill was next on the Order Paper to-day, and as thia h?s not yot been distributed, It cou'd not be discussed ; and Government wore forced to ask (ha Howe not to sit again till to-morrow. This means an evenitig wasted, of coarse, and the opportunity to have a slap at the Ministry over their un preparedness was availed of by Mr Seddon, who neatly summad them op m a few wordp. Mr W. P. Beeves has given notice to move for a return over whloh thore will probably be a w«m diaouaaion to show m detail the reductions lately made, or novr being effected, by the Education Boards throughout the oolony m the shape of reduotlon of salaries and allowances paid to their tervants, m consequence of the redaction of the vote made to the Boards by the Government. A rumor was current yesterday and £hn morning to the offset that Mr Laroaoh had pnired for the Government, avd a definite Btatcment to this effect appeared m tbo "New Zcalund Times" this morning, Th ; 8 matter waa brought up at a mooting of tho Opposition to day. when Mr Vs'a'ker, the Opposition Whip, slated that lie hold v pair irom Mr Larnach aguinst tho Qovornment on cartain conditions, wh'cl', liowovor, ho did not mention. A question, tho rep'y to which will be awaited with some interest, has been given notice of by Mr Turnbull, who is deßirous of knowing from what sources the funds for oarrying on tho financial nil lira of the Oolony were procured, ponding tho raising of Iho loin, and the terms and conditions. Tho eamo" gentle- , man has also given ootico to auk the Colonial Treasurer if ho will lay on the table (he imports, exports, ard shipping returns, tho departmental report of tho Land Transfer and Registration Department, nnd otler papers connected with tho financial ondition of the colony. Major Steward has given notion to move on Wednesday, May 23 (or if the proposed new Standing Orders be then In operation, or Friday, May 25)—" That thiß House will, m the firat private meraboro' day, resolve Itfljlf Into Committee of tho Whole, to consider a re«pectfol addroso to His Excellency the Governor, requesting him to recommend tho appropriation of the snm of £79,000, being tho total of the amounts appearing aa ' nnnllottod ' In the Behadule|of * Tho New Zealand Loan Act, 1887/ for tho formation of a fand for tho purohaao of l*nd fnr tho e'tabllshmant of Agricultural (Labor Settlements m euitable localities where thore la no Orowa land avallablo for such purpose." Mr Valentino has given notloo to ask the Minister of Lands whether It Is his intention to introduce m his new Lind Bill provisions for the relief of Government settlers by the re- valuation of their holdings, and whether thiß will be made to apply not only to those at present In arrears of payment, bat also to those who have onpltalised their arrears, and aro now behind m tbeir payments. There is some talk of making; Mr Lanoe loader of tho Opposition. Mr T. Thompson In moving for a return showing the reductions wh'ch have boon made m tbo Proporty tax RBieaarnont. Mr Buchanan is desirous of having a travelling dairy instructor to attend agricultural nhowß, A Bill to provide for tho triennial eleotion of Lioonaing Committees la to be introduced by M*j >r Stuward. Mr Seddon wishes Government to amend tho Lnnd Act m regard to the constitution of Land Bcarde. Mr Hntchlaon wl'l move on Thursday to the effoot that the railway linemen bo allowed to have half holidays on Saturday afternoons; Mr R Reeves wishes G tvarnmont to take into oonslder&jiion tho adviaabilliy of lurvoylng gold fields for the purpose of giving a map showing the various leases.