POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 314, 14 July 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAPH - SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT) Wellington, Last S T ight. THE BANKING BILL.

There is great speculation here as to the fate of the Banking Bill, which is a similar measure to the Bill of last year, arid provides for the dismissal of the President as well as an increase in the number of directors. It appears that both Government supporters and Oppositionists arc divided on the Bill, and although cards have been picked, nobody seems to kuow how the division is likely to go. It is hinted that even members of the Government differ on the subject, and some go so far as to eay it would not be at all surprising if a Ministerial crisis occurred over the Bill. 1 hear that at one of the late Government caucuses some of the party expressed their disapproval of the recent utterances of the Minister of Lands respecting the bank, and the story further goes that Mr McKeuzie told the caucus in effect that they would have to oboose between him and the bank. If this report is correct, there is likely to be trouble over the Bill. It is not yet known whether or not the . Premier will make it a party question, but I am informed on good authority that that is Mr Seddon's intention at present. POLICE PROTECTION. Mr Bollard, the burly member for Eden, caused hearty laughter in the House this afternoon by asking without notice whether the Minister for Justice could afford him police protection whilst he was attending his Parliamentary duties. He explained that his reason for asking the question was because the Premier had told them yesterday afternoon that some man was dogging his footsteps with the object of doing him personal injury, and as he (Mr Bollard) was constantly mistaken for Mr Seddon, he thought his request should be granted. He said he was not a nervous man, but he preferred to meet a foe face to face instead of a man coming behind his back. r lhe Premier said he should be happy to reply to the question, but the only reply he gave was that this very morning a lunatic had been seeking to interview the Premier. Mr Seddon's answer caused renewed laughter. MR ORMOND'S OPINION. The proposal to-day in the Legislative Coimcil to refer the Wages Protection Bill to the Labour Bills Committee was strongly opposed by Councillors who are supposed to represent labour in that Chamber. They urged that if working men were called on to give evidence before the Committee their employers would ccercc them so that their evidence would not be very reliable. The Hon. J. 1). Ormond characterised this statement as a degradation to labour. Ho said he had been for many years a large employer of labour—certainly not of the class spoken of—but neither he nor any of his friends would dare to even suggest to a workman that ho should atteud a tribunal and give evidence of any other character than they believed in. It was a slander on the morality and independence of the workmen of New Zealand, to say they were susceptible to such influences. MR T. McKENZIE. I understand Mr McKenzie, the late member for Clutha, intends remaining iu London as manager for tne Farmers' Association, for some time longer. Mr McKenzie originally intended to return to New Zealaud about three years after he left for London and in time for the next general election ; hut he has apparently changed his mind on that point. He was a prominent member of the Oqposition, and one of the best debaters m the House. KORTH ISLAND RAILWAYS, Mr Holland told the House to-day that, at the present rate of progress, it would take 45 years to complete the North Island Trunk Railway. The Minister lor Public Works stated that the Government spent £45,000 on this line last year, and there were at present 200 men working on it. He thought it would be admitted that this line had been very fairly treated, considering that the Government had not borrowed for railway works for seven yeats. The length of the line was 213 miles, 92 of which were formed and 121 miles left unfinished. Of these, 74 had been surveyed, and when the balance (47) ha-1 been surveyed, the Government would know the probable cost of completing the line.