PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1782, 28 August 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

WELLINGTON, August 25. (Correspondent Lyttelton Times) DAIRY PRODUCE. A valuable and interesting paper on the dairy industry has been received by Government from the Agent-General. Sir F. D. Bell gives voluminous information on the sub-, ject, and quotes the opinion of Professor Long, one of the highest authorities on the subject, that, “if only the New Zealand colonists knew how, they could compete in the English market against the world.” ’Sir F. D. Bell, therefore, sends copious information and advice on this bead. LATE SITTINGS AND INDECENT HASTE. Late sittings were the order of, the day in both Houses yesterday. Great indignation is expressed by the Opposition at the indecent manner in which thh* Estimates were pushed through this morning in the face of a bare quorum, and the matter will probably be cast up at the Ministry again before the session closes. August 26. STONEWALLING. The Lords have played into the hands of Sydney Taiwhanga and other obstructionists of the Native Bills by the amendments which have been made in them, and when they come before the House there will be ructions. Sydney has arranged material for a most systematic stonewall, and, with his coadjutors, may keep things going for a considerable time. But as the amendments are to be considered in open House, and not in Committee, the stonewallers will only be able to make one speech. In any case, however, it is thought the Speaker will “ put a set ” on any attempt at obstructing, by going outside the Standing Orders, and directing speakers to sit down when they appear to be wandering. A new feature has been introduced into the matter, however, by the fact that the Council have amended the danse introduced into the Native Land Bill by Mr Ballance, which limited the sale of Native lands to any person or company to 5000 acres, by the addition of the words “from any on» Native.” As there are very few Natives who own 5000 acres this upsets the principle altogether, and there is bound to be a big discussion over the matter. THE LORDS,

The “ old gentlemen,” as the hon. members of the upper branch of the Legislature are familiarly called, have begun to fancy themselves during the last few days, and are “ playing up ” in the most frisky manner with all sorts of Bills, in such fashion that no measures are safe which come before them. Yesterday they fairly beat the record, and during the short evening, sitting an hour and a half, succeeded in summarily disposing of two important Bills. First of all the District Bailways Bill, over which there has been such, a struggle, was read a second time, and Mr Stevens submitted that being a money Bill, the Council could not amend it, though they could lay it aside if they objected to any of its provisions, in which case a Committee of the other House would be appointed to search the records of the Council, and bring in another Bill to meet their objections. This suggestion was carried out to the letter. After striking out the vital clause of the Bill, which exempted persons from rating who havt had to pay not more than £2 10s per annum up to the present, they “ laid aside ” the measure, thus practically placing it hors de combat. Next the Council took up the Special Powers and Contracts Bill

(Sir George Grey’s measure to set right the Point Resolution purchase), and resolved that it should be read a second time that day three months. “ THOU ART so HEAD.” The little vagaries of the Councillors will apparently have the effect of prolonging rather indefinitely the prorogation, which, it was anticipated, would have taken place on Wednesday. Government must do something in the matter of the District Railways and a Bill will have to be introduced to meet the case, which will have to provide for indiscriminate rating all round after the decision of the Council. When this comes before the House the old fight may all happen over again' about the exemption clauses, and most unexpected complications may ensue. This, coupled with the expected stonewalling over the Native Bill, and. the debate on the Property Tax Bill, gives the end an appearance of being seen “through a glass darkly.” INCIDENTS OF DEBATE. The hurry and rush of clearing np business causes some little incidents, which are not without their humorous side. Thus, for instance, when the Committee of Supply had passed through all the Estimates, it was necessary that they should be reported to the Speaker; but the Speaker was non est, or rather was sleeping the sleep of the just. 1 So as a matter of expediency Mr Hamlin converted himself into a Speaker. As he could not sit in the chair and receive the and at the same time stand up and report the resolutions, he compromised the matter after the style of the Lord Chancellor in “ lolanthe,” by reporting to himself in the shape or an empty chair. The House saw no humor in this, for they were too sleepy; but it was funny. Then, again, in the Council yesterday afternoon, the Deputy Speaker, in the hurry of the moment, actually so far forgot; himself as to omit to read prayers, which also escaped the notice of hon. members.

The correspondent of the Ashburton Guardian telegraphing yesterday says: In reference to the action of the Council on Saturday night in laying aside the District Railways Bill, Mr Seddon this morning enquired from the Premier what action he proposed to take in the matter. The Premier stated that he would if the House was agreeable more for the appointment of a Committee to search the journals of the Council in reference to the matter. Subsequently he moved for the appointment of a Committee comprising Messrs Hislop, Allen, Pulton, Seddon and Monk to make enquiries and report. On the suggestion of Mr Smith, a committee comprising Messrs Fergus,' Smith, Fraser and Beetham, were appointed to search and;report as to the fate of the Naval and Military Settlers Bill.

Mr Seddon this morning asked the P render if he would not at once take dome steps towards obtaining another conference between the two Houses in reference to the Chinese question. Sir H, Atkinson expressed his willingness, and at once mored to the effect that the Council be requested to agree to a fresh conference which was agreed to. The dinner given by Mr Larnach to the goldfields members on Saturday erening, passed off successfuly and proved most enjoyable. Mr Larnach was in the chair, and about twenty-two were present. The Lords are playing up. projierly just now, and their action bias fair to complicate the relations between the two Houses to a considerable extent, and possibly td delay the end of the session to an indefinite extent. Practically they killed the District Railways Bill on Saturday erening by laying it aside, which means that though the Bill cannot proceed any further, a new Bill may be. introduced to deal with the matter this session. As, however members of the Council have opposed ihe clauses regarding £2 10s exemption for rating, whicn were the most troublesome in the House, Government will have a big job if they reintroduce the Bill without the in the Council if the clauses are reintroduced. The old gentlemen also threw ent the * Special Powers and Special Contracts Bill altogether, so that they evidently mean business.—Correspondent Ashburton Guardian.