POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 343, 20 September 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BYTi'.LEUUAPII SPKCIAL CORRESPONDENT) Wellington, Lust Nipht. THE ESTIMATES. An all night sitting is probable tomorrow night over the estimates, and the Government will endeavour to put several debatable clauses through Committee. 1 have previously pointed out that the Speaker can now declare the House in Committee of Supply on Tuesdays without any motion being put from the chair. Under the old standing order it very frequently happened that intercepting motions for the ventilation of grievances of every description occupied the attention of the House for many hours before the estimates were reached, but the amended orders provide that no intercepting motion can be proposed on Tuesdays The Premier naturally takes advantage of this and devotes every Tuesday to the consideration of the estimates. Up to the present ouly two clauses have passed through Committee, MINISTERIAL TACTICS. The conduct of the Government supporters in adjourning the debate on the report of the Police Commission is strongly condemned, even by a pronounced Ministerial paper like the Lyttelton Times, which says it is impossible to approve of such tactics. It. considers that the adjournment of the debate practically shelved the report and left the matter in the hands of Ministers without a word of direction from the House. The Times goes on to remarks " By deliberately evading the responsibility of voting one way or other the House places on record its low estimate of its own courage and independence, and confessed its incapacity or disinclination to do its duty in respect to an important branch of the pubiio service." The article concludes that the net result of the procecdure will probably bt that the defence estimates will be blocked until Ministers disclose their intentions with regard to the report, and this will mean another deplorable trial of physical endurauce with the usual irritating consequences. JOTTINGS The Minister for Lands is much better, and will take his seat in the House' tomorrow. The Premier says that the Public Works Statement and Estimates will positively be down on the 27th inst. Mr James Allen is expected by the Gothic to-morrow, and will take his seat for the first time this session. Mr Allen is a promineut Oppositionist, and an able debater. Mr J. A. Millar stated in the House latt week that he had at present no fewer than 800 applications for positions in the Civil Service, but he would not agree to hand over the service to an irresponsible Board. Mr Gressly Lukiii, who has been had up with influenza for the last fortnight, left to-day for Rotorua, by the advice of his medical attendant.