Parliamentary Notes

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 4, 20 June 1885, Page 3

Parliamentary Notes

It is expected that the session will last four months. Wahanui is likely to be called to the Upper House. One more pensioner. As there is not as much money hanging on to the Government policy bills this session, as on those of last, it makes a very considerable difference in the support they will command. Every constituency can understand and appreciate "hard cash," but when ideas and. principles only are embodied in the policy bills, differences qf opinion as to the benefit derived exist, and a member who could not justify his opposition to a Bill which resulted in a distinct issue, like a railway, a road or a Government grant for his. district has less difficulty of defending his opposition to an idea or thing, the benefits of which, are more indirect. This freedom allowed to members will narrow the majority in Parliament of the Government.

The feeling against Colonel "Whit more's appointment to. the command of the colonial forces has strengthened since the circulation of the Government measure dealing with the matter, and some members argue that it is an open question whether by his acceptance of the office he has not already forfeited his seat in the Legislative Council. It is quite on the cards that the Bill will be rejected by the House of Kepresentatives.

A new clause iu the Municipal Corporation. Bill, as amended, seems specially worthy of acceptance. It provides for the enrolment of Volunteers as fire police, and the swearingin of them as constables. This was the law in Canterbury, and proved very useful in stopping pilfering at fires. There is also a. new clause authorising the expenditure of borough funds for tke erection of parish school buildings.