PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 232, 10 December 1887, Page 10

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Wellington,. December 8. Tactics of the Opposition. The peculiar tactics resorted to by the Opposition during the past fortnight with a view of impeding the business of the country were developed in an aggravated, form to-day. Sir J. Voxel's conduct in this respect was so marked that while he was addressing- the House, a complete exodus of members set in, and he continued his address to a bare quorum. The Premier chaffed the hon. member on the unusual occurrence of an Opposition leader having occasioned a beggai ly array of empty benches, and Sir Julius Vogel tried' to excuse the slight passed on him by saying that members had taken advantage of the opportunity of leaving the feted atmosphere of the Chamber, which was exceedingly disagreeable. Further Legislative Amenities. The expectations that wcic formed of the new Parliament are nob likely to be realised, and it. \s doubtful whether inmany sessions so much ill-feeling has been ft.li own on the iloor of the House. Yesterday afternoon there were some severe passage at arms between the Premior and the leader of the Opposition, which culminated in the latter charging the Picmier with trying to diivo the House by the biute force of the unquestioning majority at his command, and with using often si vc taunts and goading language to wards those who ventured to dillcr from him. The Premier denied tho accusation, and challenged the hon. mcmbeis to come onb in his true coloms. Sir Julius Vogel appealed to the leader of the House to treat mombcis in a more con dilatory attitude and with more courteous language than he had done during the past few days, and assmed him that such arrogance on hii part would only result in a delay of the buf-ines* 1 . The Premier replied that he was glad the leader of the Opposition had come out in hib true coloins and avowed himself an obstructionist, and Sir Julius Vogcl took exception to such language being ut-ed concerning him. He denied that he had avowed himself an obstructionist, nor had he come out in dilleient colouis than he had displayed dm ing tho whole of his Parliatary career, for he w vi not in the habit of concealing his view s. Mr 'JLumbull regretted the indulgence in tv qiioquo argument, and expressed his con viction that Sir John Flail had been theonly Premier for years who had led the? House with com tcsy. Tho Honoraria Question. in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon, Dr. Pollen moved his motion protesting against a difference being mario between the honoraria paid to the two branches the Legislatuie. In doing so he traver&ed the financial policy of the Government and declared that hitherto there had been waste and rioc, and said that veiy little saving would be effected unless tho whole fiscal system v, as altered, and the colony returned io s> thematic economy. The distinction of pay between two Houses was invidious, and wholly unjustifiable. The hon. member combatted the claims of members of the Lower House to cxtia allowance on the scoi c of greater expense inclined in elections, contending that such expense should be borne by the localities rather than be proxided for by a general impost. The Attorney-Gencial pointed out thab members of the House of Representatives were put to expenses to which councillors were not subject in connection with their elections, and if the lesolution were cirried it would bo a^ciibed by the country to a desire for public money. Mr McLean and Dr. (irace supported the reduction as proposed by the Government ; while Mr Reynolds alleged that electors were willing to continue their present honoraria. The debate was adjourned till next sitting day. Ministerial Residences. The following is a return in continuation of thab presented last year showingseparately the amount expended during theft" nancial year ending ulil March, 1387. Fust, upon repaiis and maintenance j second, upon additions ; third, upon furniture and furnishing foi each of the Ministerial residences in Wellington : —

MOLESWORTH-STREET. Repairs and Additions. Furniture and maintenance. fittings. £sd £sd Ssd 119 19 2 58 7 4 78 6 6 Totals : £329 2s sd, £96 ]2s 7d, £244 Is2d. £66£ 16s 2d.

iiOWKN STKEK topnirs and maintenance. £ s d 49 12 10 Additions. £, s (1 19 12 10 a Furniture and fittings. £ s d 31 3 4

Tin JA \V rcoKi Road V W KRT. Ropaivo and maintenance. Additions. Furniture and fittings. .•C s d 45 4 9 & s (1 52 5 2 £ S d 69 16 6 Tntolo- £lA7 fie Ri

TiN.ucom Road Ev c; r r. Repairs and Additions, mjuntenuncc. Furniture and fittings. ,-C s d £ a (1 114 5 8 24 M 7 134 10 0 Totals: £223.