EVENING BITTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1909, 3 August 1888, Page 2

EVENING BITTING.

The House resumed At 7.30 p.m. Mr Walker continued by explaining that he had no intention of challenging the deoislonof the House that the number of members should be reduced He •Haded to the fact that Ouvernment had made a compromise on the previous day m the Grown and Native Linda Bating Act, and he urged that they might now well compromise what he oalled the panic legislation of last week.

The Premier said that Mr Walker's amendment could only be taken as a want of confidence motion, and he intended to accept it as such. He complained that no notice whatever had been given to the House and characterised Mr Walkers action as a specimen of low canning. He knew very well that the next census would not be taken till 1891. If he were m earnest, why did he not inolude m his amendment a recommendation that the 'census should be taken immediately? The fact was that the Opposition, having used this Government to get the Tariff Bill passed, now thought that they could try conclusions pith them, and he for his past was quite ready. What would the conntry think of them if they found their ardour for retrenchment had already cooled bo far as to go baok on last seeaion's legislation. The amendment really meant that members wanted to give themselves a chance of twenty-two extra Beats next election. He thought that the House had more serious business before them than to diacqßS Buah an amendment, and he hoped that they would come to the vote at once. After discussion the motion was put that the Honse go into Supply, Mr MoQregor called for a division :— Ayes, 41 ; noes, 20. The amendment was loit. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The estimates were considered* Olass 4, Justice Department, was taken first. Mr Q oldie moved to reduce the salrries of registrars and deputy registrars m the four chief towns by £260, Lost by 39 to 17.