POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 187, 23 September 1897, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(l'.Y TELEGK.U'H. —iI'ECIAL RErORTEU). Wellington, Last Niyht. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. The number of members who have arrived ior the opening ceremony to'i.onow is unusually small, scarcely a fourth (f the House has as yet put in an appearance. A large batch is, however, expected by to-morrow afternoon. Sir M. O'Rorke, the Speaker, arrived last night, and this morning several of the Auckland members were to be seen in the lobbies. LIBERAL CAUCUS. As has previously been stated a caucus of the Liberal Party is to be held in a day or two, and the Premier intends to inform the caucus of the business that will be brought forward during the session. The prevalent idea is that the session will be a lengthy one, lasting at any rate till close on Christinas. It is understood that if the Government Party consider it to be in the interest of the couutry that Parliament should not rise at Chr.stnns the Premier is willing to adjourn for a fortnight and meet again after the holidays, about the second week in January for the purpose of completing any business that may be mi ■ finished. The feeling of the Party on this point will, however, be taken at the caucus, but no doubt every effort will be made to finish before Christmas. THE AWARUA ELECTION. An impression prevailed to-day that Mr Ward's right to sit in the House would be challenged immediately after the Speaker announced the result of the Awarua election. This meant that the debate would take place to-morrow before any other business was done, but this is an unusual course to pursue see ing that there would be no motion before the chair. The most likely procedure would be to raise a. question of privilege when Mr Ward presented himself to be sworn in and the debate could be taken on that motion. I understand this was the course that was regularly pursued by the House of Commons on every occasion when the late MrChas. Bradlaugh refused to take the usual oath. Sir Maurice O'Rorke would seueely allow the debate to be taken without notice being given, or except a question of privilege were raised. Mr Ward expects to reach Wellington next week, and a meeting of his creditors is to be held to-morrow. THE WARD POSITION. Ministers are of opinion that the Elections Court, and not Parliament, is the proper tiibunal for deciding whether a member, who is bankrupt, may be elected to a seat in the House. The Government, therefore, whilst individually opposing any motion to have Mr Ward's seat declared vacant, will not make the question a party one, but will allow members to exercise a free vote on it. Some members of the Government party go so far as to hint that Ministers dare not drop Mr Ward, in case he should retaliate by elisc'osing some of the secrets of the Banking Lcgislatioa, which up to the present, have ne*er been made public THE VOLUNTEER QUESTION. It appears that some Canterbury Justices of the Peace recently committeel a volunteer to gaol who was returned as non-eliieicnt, and their action having been brought unc'er the notice of the Government they decided to repeal No. 25'2 of the volunteer regulations, which makes the non-elliciency of members of volunteer corns a penal offence. AN INTERESTING SESSION. Everybody is looking forward to an eventful session, and there is not the slightest doubt but that Ministers will have some exceedingly delieate questions to negotiate. The Pose referring to the political outlook remarks: "If onehalf of the rumours and prognostications in connection with the coming session are realised, astonishing changes arc to ensue during the next three mouths—splits in the Cabinet from various causes, dissatisfaction and rebellion in the ranks of the Government following the reliuquislrng by Mr Seddon of the Premiership to take up the position of Agent General. All these are .spoken of with a degree of certainty, quite amass ng seeing that their foundation rests almost entirely on the proverbially uncertain basis—rumour. One thing is pretty certain, however, and that is that Ministers are entering upon the coming session with no very great teeling of security anil with the utmost caution." THE HOROWTIENUA CASE. Some rather sensational disclosures are threatened respecting the decision of the Commissioners who reported on the Horou henna Block, and it is highly probable that a few interesting details which hive not yet been brought to light will transpire during the session.