Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 479, 18 November 1897, Page 3

Parliamentary Notes.

IN THE HOUSE AND COUNCIL.

[By Telegraph.]

[From our Special Reporter.]

Wellington, This day

THE ESTIMATES. Up to the time adjournment was reached this afternoon the House had over the Estimates fOf "Sfcours, with a brief respite for breakfast and lunch, and two classes, lands and survey and the remaining items under police, had been disposed of.

The discussion had in the main been confined to the members of the Opposition, who were trying to force the Premier to set up Sessional Committees before completing the Estimates, and to get him to name the day when the House would be afforded an opportunity of reconsidering the decision come to in 1893 regarding the removal of the control of Parliamentary officers from the Speaker to the mercy of the Ministry in power for the time being. Though the speeches were of a stonewall character there was little bad feeling displayed, the main exception being when Mr Wilson, member for Wellington Suburbs, who referred to some remarks by Mr Pirani as only the squeak of " a rat," the allusion being intended as a reflection on the hon. member for " ratting," or deserting his party, but as soon as attention was drawn to the matter the withdrawal of the remark, which was alleged by its author to be used in a Pickwickian sense, was insisted on by the Chairman. About 3 o'clock the Premier displayed signs of impatience with regard to the obstructive attitude of the Opposition, and said that be the consequences what they may he would go on with the Estimates for another day, or a week, or till Christmas if necessary, to the exclusion of ail other business. There could not be, he observed, two kings at Brentford, and there was nothing for it but for the Opposition to knock under. To this declaration the Leader of the Opposition made answer that if progress was reported he was willing to go outside and confer with the Premier as to the conduct of the

business. Mr Seddon retorted that he was no more in the habit of asking people to go outside than he was behind when any one was good enough to extend an invitation to him to "step outside." " Will you walk into my parlor " has no attraction for him. It was not, the Premier said reprovingly, for the majority to yield to the minority in Parliament, and though he did not wish to be hard on anyone not so physically strong as himself he felt quite fit for another week or two of this.

When the House adjourned at 5.15 for dinner there did not seem much prospect of a setlement being arrived at between the Leaders, but before 7.30 a change had come over the scene, Mr Seddon andCapt. Russell held a conference and an arrangement was arrived at to the effect that the Premier renewed his offer to give the Opposition a proportionate representation on Select Committees not yet appointed, and to promise that at an early date a reasonable opportunity would be afforded the House of expressing its opinion on the question of control of Parliamentary officers.

If the agreement arrived at proved acceptable to the Independent Liberals there is no reason why the balance of the Estimates should not be passed before daylight.

The last of the Estimates were put through at 3.15 after a continuous sitting of nearly SO hours. Daring the discussion on the Valuation Department the Minister of Lands referred offensively to Judge Kettle's indebtedness to the Bank of New South Wales, the Hon. Mr Eolleston hotly denouncing the statement as libellous and a foul accusation which could not rest there. The Horowhenua costs question was raised in connection with the Public Trustee's Department. The Minister said the Horowhenua Bill would be down in a few days when the matter could be discussed. He refused to give any information at the present stage. Replying to Mr Rolleston, who argued that the non-payment ol these costs was a scandal and one of the most discreditable things the Government were responsible for. The Hon. Mr M'Kenzie said he was the culprit in the matter and was prepared to stand by the consequences. This Horowhenua matter was not ended yet. THE SLAUGHTERED INNOCENTS. The Banking Bill and the Municipal Corporation Amendment Bill will be included among the slaughtered innocents. THE POLICE COMMISSION. The Premier is still hopeful of inducing Dr. Giles on the Police Commission. OLD AGE PENSION BILL. As Ministers are anxious to place the Old Age Pension Bill on the statute book this session, to-night's silting of the House will be occupied in the second reading of that measure.