PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1878, 27 June 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(From oub own Correspondent.) Wellington, June 26 The long-talked-of division on the tea duty has at last been taken, and, as I anticipated aom.9 daya ago, the Government were successful. Iv due course Captain Ruaaell moved hie resolution to atrike out the Bum of 6d m favor of 4d as formerly, and it having been anticipated that a very oloae division would result, tbe Premier Intimated almost at the outset that the Government were not going to allow the item to be Interfered with, that they regarded it as part of their Budget, and should treat the defeat of It accordingly. Although not mio many words, the- Premier's statement virtually was to the effect that it was accepted as a Noconfidence motion, m which light it was adopted by the House. A good debate followed, and it appeared as if it would : last well into the night, but before the dinner adjournment a division was called for. A reduction was negatived by 42 to 35. The result was rend with applause, and the House then a:j .urned. The oppouentß to (he tariff, though defeated by the Government supporters claim a moral victory, as they say that on what waß virtually a No confidence motion, they induced a number of Oppositionists to vote with the Government m the matter Now that this Item haa been retained, it is generally conceded that the Government will carry the tariff through aa a whole, and the Freetraders are looking forward to the upshot of events after the tariff has been cleared out of the way. The general opinion ia that tbe position will result m a separate enrse being followed by tho Government Freetraders, who m that case will, with a compact dona, be able to turn tbe cables on their aide. The Public Petitions Committee are still considering the petition of Me M'Allster, late Provincial Auditor. The Legislative Council to-day adopted th* reaaona advanced In support of their insistence on the amendments made m the Chinese Immigrants Bill, The outbreak of scab at the Thames la now Bald to be of a not very serious character. The Jl Post " condemns the action of the "eklDflints" iv their endeavor to out down the Eatimateß still further. Mr Samuel desires to know from the Government what has become of the Governor's Salary and Allowance Act, and if It has not been assented to, whether they (rill introduce a new Bill.