PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1875, 23 June 1888, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

+ (From our own Correspondent. ) Wellington, Jane 22. I understand that the Premier la still very unwoll and that it la unlikely he will come to the House to-day, m which case his position trill be filled by the Minister of PubHo Works, who it is understood is generally considered by Sir H. AtkiUßon to bo his right hand man, and Ib rapidly gaining a strong position m the Honso. A point In connection with the Tariff has been over-looked, which m»y yet cause a good deal of commotion. It appears that it is quite competent for the Premier, should he bo desire, to brlDg m a meßßage from the Governor to raise any of the duties that may be desired and thlß It Is very probable will bo tha case, "*■ It ib rumored that thoao who wish Sir EL Atkinson to take the Agent Generalship desires Mr J. Bryce to take the leadership of the House . The Volunteer Commissioners have entered upon their duties. It Is now stated that the Government are inclined to appoint Mr B 0. Haggitt of Danedln to the vacancy m the judgeship m preference to Judge Ward. It is said that Governmant have decided to propose a modification m the new duty on silt. Matters are getting a little mixed over the Chinese Immigration Bill, and there Ib every probability of a lively time over It between the two Houses. The reasons advanced by the Lower Houae for objecting to the amendments made by the Lords m the Bill were presented to-day, and it appears from what transpired that the representatives of Government In the Upper Chamber refused privately to do anything m the matter. Aa a consequence, Dr Pollen, who has opposed the Bill from the first, took the bull by the horns, and m a rattling speech brl&tllng with sarcasm, moved that the Counoil do peralat m the amendments made m the Bill. This was agreed to, and a Committee comprising the Hons Watethonse, Shrimekl, Richmond, and Dr Pollen were Appointed to draw up the " insißtanoe " of the Council on their amendments. Both Houae3 are thuß sticking out to the utmost, and the denouement of this little game of cross purposes will prove very interoßting t There has been a great deal of talk m the lobbies to-day m regard to the rumor that Government intend to appoint Mr Haggitt tp the judgeohip rendered vacant by the death of Judge Johnston. From all I can gather It appears that there is no doubt that Government have under consideration the appointment of Mr Haggitt with others, but a rumor is current this evening that the AttorneyGeneral has put m a claim, though I can scarcely credit the fact, considering the great age of Sir Federlok. Both of the evening papers refer to the matter m their leading columns to-night, and protest m the Btrongeßt termß agalnstjthe appointment of Mr Msggitt as against Judge 1 Ward. The »' Poet " Bays : •« Such an appointment would simply bo a political job, the Inspiring Influence of which It would not be dlffioult to trace m view of . recent political events." The » Press " saya : ''What pißßlble justification there j can be for Each a atop we are totally • unable to understand, That he (Mr Haggitt) Ib a highly respectable praqtltlon we have no oqubt, but he has certainly not distinguished himself m any way, and he Is no better qualified to be a judge than anyone of half a doxan lawyers m this city.*' Thsro j B a g 00( j daal o f speculation as to the upihofc of events after the Tariff has been carried through, and rumon go that on this consummation a motion will be moved by some of the Opposition to the ' effect that the personnel of the Government Ib unsatisfactory to the house, which it is thought with assistance of the eeoedera from the Government party may b 3 oarrled. This opens the way for a Free Trade Coalition, which is freely diacusaed now, and it will bo a matter of speculation as to who will be the members to leave the Government, and who their successors.