POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 326, 11 August 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(ISYTKLF.CUAI'H - SPKCJALCOBKESI'ONDENT) Wellington, Last Sight. THE BUDGET. It is almost needless ro .statu that opinions were freely expressed to-day regarding the Financial Statement. So far as one can gather, the universal estimate of those capable of judgiug, is that there is absolutely no policy for the future in the Budget beyond the proposal to add another 'half million to the forty four odd millions, which the colony already owes to the British creditor. The most objectionable part of the Budget, and which will probably provoke a hostile attack, is perhaps the monstrous method which Mr Sedclon adopts of shewing the deficits and surpluses for the past 28 years. The leading Opposition members characterise this table as urussly misleading, as the public accounts under a Liberal Government are kept in a totally different manner from that which prevailed in the days wheu it was an extremely rare thing to hear our public men charged with the hum Dug and chicanery to which we have now unfortunately become so accustomed. Another ground of attack on the Budget will be that the Treasurer has immensely under-estimated the revenue for the coming year; sothat altogether there is a prospect of a lively debate on the finances generally. The Opposition have not yet decided on any definite line of action regarding the Budget. A caucus of the party is to be held in a day or two, when the whole position willl be reviewed. MOTION FOP, ADJOURNMENT. An amusing incident occurred in the House this afternoon-over a motion fur the adjournment of the House. The member for Gaversham (Mr A. Morrison) was dissatisfied with the Premier's reply to a question respectint; the qualifications of Mr Butt, Assistant General Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, and he muttered something about moving the adjournment, this being the recognised method of venti'ating the grievances of members. The adjournment, however, cannot be moved till after the whole of the questions are disposed of, and unless seven members rise in their place to support the motion it must be confined strictly to the question of adjournment. If seven members rise the debate may comprise any specific questions alluded to in the replies of Ministers to questions on the same day. Mr Morrison to-day moved the adjournment in due course, but Mr Massey called the Speaker's attention to the fact that seven members had not risen in support of the motion. The Speaker then asked whether seven members wished the House to adjourn, but only four rose in response to the question. Mr Morrison looked round the House appealiugly amidst loud laughter, but no other member rising the adjournment could not be moved, and the member for Caversham collapsed. NATIVE LAND ADMINISTRATION. The Premier this afternoon asked the Speaker to look into the Administration for the Lands of Natives Bill brought in by Mr Pirani. He said the Bill proposed to deal with native reserves and was almost a copy of his (Mr Seddon's) Bill of 1893. Mr Pirani said he did not wish to contradict the Premier, but ha must that Mr Seddon's statements were absolutely incorrect. The Bill was a permissive one to allow natives to biing their land under it if they chose to do so, and it did not deal with an acre of native land. The Premier retorted .that 00 per cent, of the clauses iu Mr Piraui's Bill were in his Bill of 1593, but the Speaker refused to take any action in the matter and directed the ordinary business to proceed. TOTALISATOR PERMITS. It appears from a return laid on the table that during the year ending 31st March last 155 licenses were granted to racing clubs to use the totalisator, and the permits extended over 26S days. The State tax amounted tj £15,297-