PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5196, 11 September 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Tklegbaph.] Of BOH OTTR OTVtf COBBESPONDENT.) Wellington, Last night. It is nlniost a travesty on Burns' well.known words, "The best laid schemes of ;"hiice; and men ga,ng aft agley," Ito adopt them to my prognostications of; last night, that the debate on Captain Russell's could not last much longer;. but they meet the case in one way, for j arrangements had been made at the time ' of mv writing for closing the debate. Sir J. Vogel's speech, however, which has been universally condemned as the most injudicious of -the/ many injudicious speeches he has made this session, gave a new turn to affairs, with the- result that the debate has not yet terminated. Barring accident!), however, it will be brought to a close to-night ; it all depends, of j course, upon the hour at which it concludes, and also upon the possibilities of further amendment?, whether the Public Works Estimates will be proceeded with to-night. It is hard to say whether the motion will be carried, but that matters .little, for even if it is there is nothing to; prevent the Government going on with the Estimates. -Mr; jSeobie McKenzie, made the speech of the debate'to-night. It was 6lear, practical, and logical, and was alike a crasher for the Government and a squelcher for the Canterbury people and their friends.

The whips are arranging for the division to take place at midnight, in order that the House may get into Committee of. Supply on the Estimates; whether they will bo successful remains to be seen, but if Supply is reached we may expect an all wight sitting—in fact/ a continuous silting until the Estimates are: disposed of. I hinted in my last message at some further amendment to except the Otago Central and North Main Trunk line; it was arranged that Mr J. B. Whyte should more this amendment, but unless present arrangements are upset, this amendment will be moved, everyone being very sick of the debate. . * . ■ This day. : ■ After all"the expected division did not come last night as I wired you. At the supper adjournment, arrangement had i been made for concluding the,.debate, but I ia answer to private enquiry the Speaker ruled that supply .would be considered new business, and as no new business can be takes' after 12,30, and as it was found impossible to finish the debatobaf -re that hour, no attempt was made to bring on the division, there are no • fresh developments, and nothing in the way of news is stirring. It is rumored that another amendment is to be moved upon the disposal of Mr Eussell's motion (which it is'expected will be carried), to the effect that the Government take back their Estimates. Thi9 is in no way short of a no-confidence motion, but if it really is tabled it is not expected that it will be carried. ■ ■ ■■■