Parliamentary.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1011, 2 September 1881, Page 3

Parliamentary.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MISCELLANEOUS. It has transpired that Government received another insolent letter from Sir Julius Vogel by the San Francisco mail, which is not public. This is said to be more offensive than the previous one. The Minister of Lands in reply to Mr Macandrew, said the Government agreed to the recommendation of the Otogo Pastoral Lease Committee, except that portion asking that the runholders receive notice that no renewals will be given on the expiration of their leases.

The Goldfields Committe have agreed to amend their report by urgently recommending the Government to purchase six diamond drill boring machines for the use of county councils willing to undertake the control and management for the purpose of pros pecting ; also that the whole Department of Mines, from the Minister downwards, be re-organised, The iron hand resolutions introduced by the Hon. Mr Hall, will receive almost general support. Members who are not taking part in obstructing business are getting tired and disgusted at the waste of time. The Wellington City members have received a requisition asking them to oppose the Representation. The iron hand resolutions are the same as adopted by the House of Commons in February last, to prevent the extreme Irish party from obstructing the business of the House by (stonewalling) speaking against time ; and in effect, gives power to the Speaker to stop debate, when, whether relevant or not to the issue, if its apparent that the talk is only to occupy time. A Select Committee has been appointed to inquire into an allegation that, last year, while there was considerable doubt what would be done with respect to the honorariums of members, one member had sold his chance to another member.—The explanation of this is: That the Hons. Campbell and Wood sold their honorariums for the session of 1880—or, rather the chance of it —as at the time of the little transaction the question whether the hon. gentlemen of the Upper Chamber would be paid for their services for that session, to Mr Richard Reeves, member for Grey, for the sum Llort. The votes were for the “ Ayes,” accordingly Mr Reeves stood to win the difference between Ll5O and the sum to be received, LISO. Mr Campbell was true to his colors and antied up the difference, but Mr Wood repudiated; hence the enquiry. Political excitement seems rather to increase than wane, and all sorts of rumors are freely circulated. Judging from the general tone of conversation, the prevailing feeling seems adverse to the cloture, but strongly against the stonewalling. The indignation of the Canterbury and Otago members is very great at the business being blocked by such a mere handful of members and some openly advocate extreme measures, but the majority appear adverse to such a course as yet. It appears that the Standing Orders Committee refused to deal with the cloture resolutions unless referred by the House to them, and the Speaker ruled that four days’ notice must be given so nothing was done ; and Mr Pitt, who was waiting for his chance, sprang up and moved the adjournment of the House. He was followed by Mr Shepherd, both members evidently finding Sir Julius Vogel’s suppressed letter very useful as a text in talking against time.