PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2689, 29 September 1871, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

In the discussion on the Highway Boards Bill on the 22nd iust, Mr Bathgate dissented from certain amendments proposed in the interests of the squatters in the clause relating to the rating of pastoral t uants for the making of roads in the neighborhood of their holdings. Mr Webster, who spoke after Mr Bathgate in the interests of the runholders, succeeded very well, up to a certain point, in an attempt to be facetious at Mr Bathgate’s expense, when he was very neatly caught in his own trap. The “ fun” in the case rapidly evaporated, and the lines of risibility disappeared from ™e~bers : races when Mr W ehster told the committee that he could expect nothing like justice from such bon. members as Mr Bathgatp, 'whose' “intellect was wrapped and wholly absorbed in prejudice and igiioranoe, ’ The Chairman immediately called Mr Webster to order, and insisted that the offensive words should be withdrawn. Mr Webster made a clumsy retraction, when Mr Bathgate stated that he required no apology ; he had made up his mind that whatever other hon. members might do, he had determined not to indulge in personalities in the House, mentioning at the same time that there were certain persons whose blame he accepted as the highest praise, “ But,” said Mr Bathgate, “when [ see a class of men asking for privileges which they deny to others, then I denounce such legislation as class legislation.” Mr Bunny administered a sharp rebuke to Mr Webster by hoping that such language would not be permitted. Although he himself differed with Mr Bathgate that was no reason why that gentleman should not express himself upon the clause. He hoped such language as had been employed wou'd not be permitted to be made use of iu that House. Two Otago free fights in one day is not bad; yet such was the case on the 20th. In the afternoon Mr Macandrew moved the second reading of a Dunedin Water Supply Bill, and Mr Bathgate moved that it be read that day six months. The latter gentleman was perfectly sure “he had the House with him. ” His own colleague in the representsi tion of the city was, however, against him. Mr Donald Reid denied his Honor the Superintendent was requested by the Provincial Executive to take charge of the bill, to which the latter replied that he would telegraph for the minute of the Executive and the names of the members present. The next occasion was one of those land bills which Otago sends up now every year. This time, rather significantly, the bill is not brought in by the Superintendent, but by the Superintendent, but by the Provincial Secretary. The reason of this appeared in the debate when it was explained to the House that the Executive “ had locked out the Superintendent ” and sent down resolutions to the Council he had never approved of! What added a zest to the entertainment last night was tiie sparring between the Provincial Secretary and the ex Treasurer. It seems that these two gentlemen, by a private arrangement, settled the question, so that what the former described in his stump oratory as “a great blow to the Province,” was, after all, not so important as retaining his seat (and his salary) as Provincial Secretary. The country would be ruined by the Hundreds Bill passed by the Assembly, but the loss of Mr Reid’s services ou the Government Benches wm much more

ruinous to tbs Province (and to Himself !) New Zealand without a Richmond, we have been often told means chaos, but from this private compromise on the most vital question conceivable we learn that. Otago without a Reid means ruin and disaster. The retrenchment debate was curious for the variety of opinions it called forth. No particular retrenchment was indicated on which any two agreed. “ Don’t cut down salaries” cried out one. “ Cut all salaries down to five hundred a-year saul another. Mr Creighton demanded £35,000 to be taken from the provision for defence. Mr Kol! eston, who supported him, ‘regarded this proposal with pious horror and holy grief. ‘‘ Take away the geological vote said a youthful politician, betrayed against his better reason. “ Don’t touch Doctor Hector at all” frantically exclaimed others who voted with him. Two members agreed (and it is but fair to admit that two members did agree upon any one item of retrenchment) that L 25,000 should be saved out of the San Francisco Mail Service. This was definite enough with a vengeance, being nothing short of a definite proposal of repudiation. The whole case broke down. -the ardent retrenched with their pruning hooks in their hands, all struck at different trees in the garden of finance, and retired discomfited and disfigured with mutual scars. They were going to save L 50.000, but it was in about fifty different directions, 'the New Zealand University was haggled at by one distinguished for his enthusiasm as a rine volunteer, wh.ile a distinguished University alumnus made an energetic attack on all Volunteer expenditure. — Independent.