Notes and Events.

Manawatu Herald, 25 August 1894, Page 3

Notes and Events.

The Land for Settlements Bill is passed, not recommitted as promised by the Minister oi Lands, and so the member for Palmerston was " left " with his very proper amendments, and will have to try bis fortune with the Councillors. The Post reports that Mr Pirani, probably in the bitterness of his heart, said, " the Minister for Lands treats the House as a man would treat a child." We would that he dia, for no decent man would treat his child to false promises and indefinite • replies, that is to say, if he wanted the child to grow up a decent citizen. Still it is not wise for a member of the Government paity to go to far — for many reasons, some excellent, ■ others the reverse — and we read in the Times that " Mr Pirani accepts defeat in a way, protesting his ' loyalty to Ministers." Quite right viewed from Mr Pirani's stand point, ii you can only manage it. Mr G. W. Russell another member of the same Liberal party in accepting the dictation of Ministers is reported " to accept defeat." Which meaneth, probably, that though he disagrees with Ministers they can be sure of his vote — which is all they want. He must be careful, however, and not let his little angry temper rise and say such naughty things as "he regretted that the majority brought into line by. the hobnailed boots at the caucus had been used to defeat his amendment." This is a very strong assertion and painful to the feelings of others of his party and one or two of the members " resented" such remarks. Hobnailed boots in an assembly that rules the people by the people and for the . people seem much out of place. Evidently Mr Russell must be greatly mistaken. I The new Railway Bill will prac-

tically give the Minister full power, ac he is to have the casting vote, so that he will be chairman, and the : Chief Commissioner is to be reduced. He will have, to him, the advantage of the other three Commissioners as a " buffer " but if the Minister is to have so mucH power it would be better to let him have sole responsibility. The Bill will probably pass. rr-i tn ■ i Sir George Grey in m's speech at the National Liberal Club said— " ftor years 1 have worked with one in6tive i not io lfet ti]ie oltt wbrld coiile into the new in its customs aiia habits, not to let the new world become one mass of standing armies and eampSj in which millions of men are stipporied by the rest of the population, paid and food fouafil for" them, and against, the advanceirle^t Of ihe peb'plei" He explained the., reason for desiring this state of things was not to retain the new world for ourselve, as he desired every nation to come in freely and take land, but they must develope seli-goverhing institution* and keep out the elements of disturbance Which now prevail in the Old world.The Marquis of Ripon derived great pleasure from hearing Sit George ferej'a views and hoped those present at the banquefe mSgh't live to see the " attractive prophecies '.' which Sir George Gray had " dreamt and laid before them." Lord Carrington likewise said '• it was his earnest prayer that they would see before long the realization of the dreams uttered by his right honourable friend Sir George Grey."