POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 321, 30 July 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BYTJtLKGRAPn-SFJCOIAIiCOBKESI'ONDKNT) Wellington, Last Night. PARLIAMENTARY OFFICERS. The House this afternoon cheeied the Premier's announcement that Messrs Ottcrscn, Rutherford and Lowe had each received promotion in consequence of Mr Friend's death. Capt. Liussell, in echoing the general satisfaction felt at the promotion of deserving oili 'civ, said there was only mi'' disc rdart note, inasmuch as the announcement had been made by the Premier instead of the Speaker, in whose hands the appointment of Parliamentary officers should undoubtedly rest. Mr Rolleston, whilst congratulating the officers themselves on their promotion, spoke very strongly on the unconstitutional action of the Premier, and he warmly declared, as a very old member of Parliament, that Mr Seddon had nob only cast a slight on the Speaker in making these appointments without reference to him (Sir Maurice O'Rorke), but he had also put an affront gn the House itself. Mr Carson asked the Premier whether he had not distinctly promised the House last sess/on that he would afford members an opportunity of considering the whole question of making these appointments, but he answered the question by saying that, having made an announcement to the House, he did not wish to have an acrimonious debate over it. The matter here dropped, as there was no motion before the House. A POPULAR INSTITUTION. A petition was lately presented to the House from Mother Mary Joseph Aubert (formerly of Napier, but now of Jerusalem, on the Wanganui river), asking for assistance to enlarge the Foundling Home on the Wanganui river. The Public Petitions Committee reported today that, having gone very fully into the subject matter of the petition, and having found the objects and methods to be most worthy, they recommend the petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. EAST COAST NATIVE LAND BILL. The Local Bills Committee reporting on this Bill recommends that as the standing orders have been complied with the Bill be sent to the Native Affairs Committee, in order that its merits may be there considered. RAILWAY EMPLOYEES. Mr Hunter asked ths Minister for Railways to-day whether it is the intention of the Government to make better provision for the accommodation of railway employees who are provided by the Department with sleeping accommodation in trucks. Mr Cad man replied that many people had to put up with more inconvenience than was here pointed out. and the accommodation provided in these trucks was better than a great many country settlers had. He could not, therefore, agree with the request.