Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1901. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 11 October 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1901. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

We have for some time past heard a good deal regarding what must be accepted by the Government as a NoConfidence motion i A proposal to reduce the Defence Vote by £50,000, we are now informed) -frill be moved on Tuesday when the Estimates are brought down, As we before hinted, we do not anticipate any serious results. Doubtless a number of members will, as they did before, speak against the Estimates, but when the test comes will vote for the passing of same, as introduced. It is quite evident that the Premier does not anticipate much trouble over the vote judging from his sarcastic reply to a question that in view of rumors he was in fear and trembling about Defence matters, but, he added that he intended nevertheless to grant increased aid to Volunteers. In other words he declared that the Ministry meant to have its own way in the matter, and had no fear of the consequencee.

Rumors have been many lately in regard to the retirement of the Hon. Mr. Duncan from his position of Minister for Lands, To-day we have a flat contradiction by the Premier and Mr. Duncan. We are now told that a reconstruction of the Ministry during the recess will assuredly take place—such reconstruction being necessary owing to the retirement of the Premier, who we are informed goes Home to take up a new position. This report has gone forth before and been contradicted. It is, however, again sent forth with more assurance than before. Whether there is any truth in the idea that Mr. Seddon will get a position under the Imperial Government in South Africa remains to be seen, but on the assumption that where there is smoke there is also fire, the persistently reiterated assertion may possibly have something in it. There is no doubt but that our Premier with his strong personality and his undoubted Imperialistic tendencies would be a most useful man as Governor of one of the South African States,

The strong hostility evidenced in the proposed Commonwealth tariff outlined in recent messages from Australia was certain to bring about reprisals on the part of this colony, and we were not therefore surprised this morning on receiving the following telegram from our Parliamentary reporter :—“ The ministerial organ hints at the early introduction of a Tariff Bill as a reprisal against the Commonwealth tariff, and suggest the re-imposition of licenses on bagmen from the other side.” Seeing that the colony has spent over a million sterling in improving the the two coal ports, it would not surprise us to see a duty put upon Australian coal, and proposals made for the immediate opening of two State coal mines—one at Greymouth and the other at Westport.

Oue “ worn-out ’* legislators are about to have another picnic before tackling the Government and the Defence vote, Members will to-morrow leave Wellington for Wanganui, and proceed up the river as far as Taumarauui. They will there see the beauties of that fine stream, get themselves into a better frame of mind, and possibly talk matters over, free from Parliamentary mustinesa and Be lamy’s invigorating seductions, returning to the scenes of their ab '.rs on Moriflay night. Parliament of late years has gone in for a good many picnics —refreshing, doubtless, to our legislators, but expensive to the taxpayers. However, in such affairs taxpayer only occupies second pace; No. 1 Our Legislators—come first.

China is again bobbing up serenely. The Allied forces while in that unhappy land did little else than quarrel among themselves. They have all left or are leaving, and “ China is herself again.*’ A few more mission houses have been burned, and the foreign devil had matters made hot for him. To-day our cables contain the modest request for the withdrawal of all foreigners from Pekin

—which we are told is not a treaty port. Wo fear the result of the recent campaign so far as security to foreigners is concerned is but little. “ For ways that are dark And tricks that are vain, The heathen Chinese is peculiar.” And this peculiarity has secured his triumph over the Western Nations.