POLITICAL ITEMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1664, 24 November 1887, Page 3

POLITICAL ITEMS.

The Wellington correspondent of the Otsgo Daily Times telegraphed on Monday!— educational. There »r« before Parliament 23 petitions, bearing 4139 signature* in favor of Bible-reading in achools, and 44 petition*, bearing 11549 aignatureu, in favor of » grant to Catholic sobeoli. intemperance IN the house. The great failing off in revenue of Bellamy’s ia quoted as an illustration of the growth of temperance principles in Parliament. In the present Home there are no fewer than 21 pledged abstainers, besides a number of memberswbo, though not belonging to any temperance organisation, are teetotallers. The attack made by the Auckland Beil on the Speaker and the House has been the exciting topic of conversation during the day. It was currently reported this afternoon that as the Government had deolined to take action in the matter Sir George Grey had determined to move in the subject when-the Home assembled this evening. The minor turned out to be without the slightest foundation. Not the slightest notice was taken ef the attack. The bmineas of the House proceeded just as if nothing extraordinary had occurred. It is reported here that Mr Reed's connection with the Bell had been severed, and that an apology has appeared in the paper this evening. The local newspapers are pretty outspoken in their condemnation of the Bell article. The Post says: “As tor the charge made by the Bell against the Wellington papers of having guiltily connived at the disgraceful scenes of drunkenness in Pairliaiusnt, we give the accusation the most ■nqualified denial, and assert emphatically that although coesUhtly enjoying facilities tor seeing all that hSs occurred in the Home of Representatives we have never seen the officer so viciously aid unscrupulously vilified in the slightest degree incapacitated for the proper performance of his (Jbties while in the House, ; nor have we seep’any other officer of the Home for many, years past in sueh a position. As to the members of the i Borne, certainly thdy do not all wear the ] blue ribbon; aio'd eyer since we have , known Parliament occasional but rare ( instances have occurred when under exeeptional circumstances . certain members might hare been'prbhounced by a medical man to be labouring to some, extent under vinous excitement'; but to aay that any- I thing like habitual drunkenness br scenes i of disorder arising from intemperate' indulgence have; ever prevailed in the ( Home is absolutely and scandalously , false. Had it been true we ehould not , have beaitated to expose the evil at what- J ever risk.” The Press deals with the 1 matter as follows The article, apart < from its bearing -on J3ic Julia* Vogel's i conduct as a member of Parliament, is | utterly beneath contempt* It is precisely on a par with a slanderous brochure which ( which appeared from the same quarter acme years ago over the forged signature of a ! Southern member, and which both that member and the House most wisely ignored. We strongly advise tham to treat this in the sam# manner. If they 1 wish to consider their own dignity, and especially if they wish to show their proper respect to the Speaker, they should j not touch Sir Julius Vogel’s organ even #ith a pair of tongs. If the House deem J it necessary to defend their privileges or 1 ,to protect from insult their Speaker—the Embodiment of their authority, the mem her whom thsy have choaen to preside ( over them and do and suffer all things on , their behalf—let them take the real culprit unflinchingly in hand, and, laying aside , mistaken sympathy and false sentiment, make, an exair pie of him in accordance 1 wilh their own rules and procedure. If > they do that they will be supported by .< the whole country; but if they do the other thing they will only get themselves , into a degrading mess.” , The Wellington correspondent of the , Ashburton Guardian telegraphed yesterday s—lt ia rumored that Government have decided to take no further action in : regard to yesterday’s business, and will ; not bring down the motion threatened by Major Atkinson. The reason of this : change on the part ef .Major Atkinson is ; said to be that Qoveriimont have every reason to be satisfied with their position after yoaterday’s division'. If this is true both sides claim to have scored a point, as Major Atkinson yesterday was prevented from moving bis motion that Government business .take precedence, and private members’ bnsintss would inthe ordinary course proceed to»day, but it i« expected a discussion will spring up over the Midland Railway Commit tee report, which, it is understood, will be brought up to-day, and may last the whole sitting. I understand that Government, have intimated to Sir Julius Vogel that they require the residence be now occupies.