PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.
(From oub own Cobkespondent.) WjeitisraxoN, June 23. Mr Mltohelaon got groat kudos for the manner la which he piloted the tariff through Committee on Friday night, and his position has been greatly strengthened m the Home. Oa the whole tho Protectlonlata aeetu to be thoroughly satisfied with the progress made up to the present, as they were victorious m everything except the itom salt, over which a oomp.romiae was effected, From what I oan learn, a big straggle is anticipated over the tea duty, which will be almost the first Item t<ken up when tho Hoase resumes on Tuesday. The position, as far as I oan understand, is chat the parties for and against the abolition of the duty on tea are about equally divided, and the whole thing depends on the aptioq of the Government. If the MlnUtera make it a Ministerial question no doubt it will be curled, a3 la that case extreme Protectionists who would be inclined to vote for the abolition of the item as too heavy a tax on the poorer classes, would have It retained for fear of losing the whole tariff. The Government have not declared their intention on the point, but the idea ia that tea will be retained. The Premier was bottor yesterday, and Ifc ia anticipated that both he and Mr Brown will be able to resume their seats on Tuesday, Ir, is stated tbat Mr Pearson is improving blbo. Ia regard to the Gerda, which has been wrecked at Greymouth, I believo she is one of the foreign-owed boats carrying nncerfclficftted engineers about which a petition was recently preoonted to the Hou?o. Wellington, June 25. Thlnga are very dull tc-Jay aa members are waiting for the npshot .of the Tariff and both sides are munteting up their fo-03S for the struggle over the duty on tea tomorrow night, The general opinion now is that even should not the GJovarnmeat elect to make it a Ministerial question the duty will go through, but ouly by the narrowest of majorities. Jt is thought that the Government will leave tha matter to tho Huubo. but state that they require revonne aud on the ground that it is neoesaary for the finances of tho country, Several opponents of the duty will vote for it though they will obJ9Ct to the principle. The " Post " gives currency to a rumor that the Opposition, who are supporting tho Government over their Tariff, aro desirous that tboy shall bo represented by a coupie of members m the Cabinet, and they wiah to have Messrs Fisher and Fergus out to make place for some representatives on the Opposition, who will be elocted from Messrei Lanco, E. Rxhardson, and Dr Fitchett. Tbe cl Post," for a wonder, eulogises Mr Fisher, as he has generally been pretty well slated by that evening journal. It is stated that tbe Committee who are engaged m going through the Estimates privately, 'with a view to having thei^j. cut down' m Committee oil • 'Supply" (or " SkinfliatV as thpy are called), are deslpjui nf making several most drastic reductions. Amongst those said to be credited with a blnok mark are the Auditor-General, Under-SeorgtarJes, the Speaker, Chairman of Committees, and Sir James Hep'tor. |t is not generally anticipated, however, ' that £<icy will be successful m connection with this subjeot. A rumor is current th»t before the Uus* torn Duties Bill ia finally passed au 'organIsed attempt will be made by the Freetrade Bootion to get the third reading postponed till tha Estimita* have beep reconsidered by the Government, with a view to further raduotions. amoiiatlng to £150,000 or more. It is expectad* m this way tp fopce tha support of a number q't the Oppoßitlon who daring tha Tariff debate expressed thomsalves desirous, of soaiag further ifatronohmoqt effected before ouob be^vy tasaHon wan Imposed,
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Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1876, 25 June 1888, Page 2
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640PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1876, 25 June 1888, Page 2
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