POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1522, 19 August 1912, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES.

WANT-OF-CONFIDENCE MOTION. A LOBBY REPORT. Since Parliament resumed at the end of July it has apparently been the universal opinion of members on both sides of the ]fouse that it would l>e absolutely useless to move a vote of want of confidence in the Massoy Administration. A number of members of the recentlv defeated parly have openly expressed tho opinion that n want-of-confidonco debate in the present state of (political alfairs would simply lead to an i.ncrcaso in the Government majority. Nevertheless, it is stated on good authority that a want-cf-confidenoc motion will l>e proposed byMr. L. 51. Isitt, member for Christchurch North, on Wednesday next. It is said that .Mr. Isitt will base his molion on the assertion that the increaso which the Government intends to mnko this session in the graduated laud tax is too small to bo effective

. MINISTERS' HONORARIUM. There has lately been some talk of members of Parliament seeking to • increase the annual amount which they receive as honorarium. The latest lobby story of this kind is that a number of members—how many it is difficult to ascertain—will support a proposal to appoint two additional Ministers, provided that the salaries of private members are increased from J2300 to X 350 a year.

THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. Under ordinary circumstances the Financial delxite may be expected to continue for the greater part of this week. Th© general opinion in the lobbies is that several prominent members of the Opposition will speak before the .debate- concludes, and speeches are also looked for from a number of Independents, Labour men, and younger members of the Government following. In addition, there would naturally bo tome Ministerial replies. If Mr. Isitt moves a want-of-confidence motion tho debate may be prolonged, but it is equally possible that the action of tho member for Christchurch North might liavo a reverse effect. ■ i CANADIAN CADETS. Cabinet decided on Saturday to grant froe railway passes to the contingent of 75 Canadian cadets which is to tour New Zealand. Much of the business transacted at Saturday's sitting was in tho nature of Departmental routine. A QUIET WEEK-END. Parliament House Vhas seldom' been quieter and more deserted than during the past week-end. Good weather evidently induced politicians to abandon the scene ot their labours in favour of holiday reforte, and for long intervals not a single tiWiTanl^bbiel tOboSoo,la,WUt^