PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1917, 16 July 1889, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Colonel DeQuincy, who has hem appointed Sergeant-at-Arms, is agoilp of the famous Thomas DeQuincy, wh© is chiefly remembered as the auther of " Confessions of an English Opium Eater." He was elected to Parliament in 1866, that is 23 years ago, sat for one session, and then resigned. Much dissatisfaction is felt on account of his appointment, as others are considered better entitled to the position. It is, however, hopeless to expect anything like fair play from the present Ministry. BEPRESEOTATIOF BILL. The Government after having wasted several days on the Hare system found it had no chance of passing and withdrew it. They have now introduced another Bill, but it has not been printed, and what it is has not transpired. There can be no doubt, however, that there will be a great fight i over it. The great question of giving country districts the quota of 33i per cent, will be fought to the bitter end, and it is supposed country members, , who are in the majority, will be fied with nothing* less. The Government will oppose giving them more than 25 per cent., but with that they will not be satisfied. Several members are in favor of letting the matter stand over until next session, while others are talking of prolonging the present session beyond the three yean. Interesting developments are expected during the next few days. GAS V. ELECTBICITY, The question of Gas v v Elecfcricity, is starting up in Parliament, where vested interests are fighting to the death. The Auckland Gas Company, finding the City Council intended to light the city by electricity, have had brought in a Bill; to enable the company to do it.. The fight, therefore, will be between the Gas Company and the Council as to who shall light the city. A meeting was called to bear the selicitor to the Council speak in opposition to the Gas .Company's Bill, but it was spoiled by Sir GvGrev pointing out it, was illegal and improper, while the question wais in the hands of a special committee of the House. It will be an awful thing if the hands ot the City Council, are tied, so that the Gas Company can light the town in spite of them. V SIB G. GBET'S &EIETANGE. ■'' * For several years Sir George Grey has been in the habit of introducing several small Bills, but they have always been crushed out. The second readings of nearly all his Bills were to come on on Wednesday and Wednesday week, and the Government have taken these days now. The C. D. Act repeal, Election of Law Practitioners, Bible in Schools, Introduction of Colored Labour, and Limitation of Votes Bills have been at one stroke swept off the board, and any discussion upon them this session depends upon the Government being able to grant another day for the, purpose. Sir George pleaded most eloquently for his Bills, and protested against the Premier tying his hands for the sake of gaining 24 hours of time. "Life," he said, "has become valueless to me. I feel myself uselesi to my fellow men." (Loud cries of r'TSo, no," from all parts of the IHouse). "Yes, I feel ashamed of the power of one man to chain me ia fetters aad prevent me achieving any good whatever—(cheers),—to be sent back year after year, having done nothing, when every power of one's intellect has been devoted to good measures. It is something terrible and unfair."