POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 353, 13 October 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(by telegraph—special correspondent) Wellinoton, Last Night. DEFIANCE OP STANDING ORDERS. The persistent manner in which the present Government deliberately ignore the Standing Orders of the House by refusing to answer questions on the Order Paper, is becoming intensely irritating to the Opposition, and is certainly responsible for more than one wasted afternoon this session. When the House met today the Premier was absent at the Labour Demonstration, and the Minister for Lands refused to reply to the seventeen questions on the Order Paper. Hon. Mr Rolleaton, Mr Geo. Hutchison, Mr Lang (Waikato), and other members raised a spirited protest against this constant defiance of the Standing Orders by Ministers, but the only justification offered by the Ministerialists was that if questions were answered the adjournment of the House would be moved and business wonld be delayed. Mr Lang pointed out that the Government supporters appeared to regard it as highly improper for members to move the adjournment, but this was the only opportunity they could get to ventilate their grievanses, an-1 he claimed that if the Government transacted the business of the House in a regular way and replied to questions ou the Order Paper every afternoon, there would he no occasion to move the adjournment so freoueutly. The Minister for Lands, however, refused to reply to the questions, and the consequence was that nearly the whole afternoon was practically taken up in protesting against the high-handed conduct of the Government. MR HUTCHISON'S CHARGES. An extension of fourteen days' time has been granted to the committee set up to.enquire into the allegations made by Mr G. Hutchison against the Premier and the late Nathan Seddon. Mr Hutchison has been requested by thecommittee to call evidence in support of his allegations, but has declined to do so, although as an act of courtesy he attended on the summons of the committee this morning. He then, I understand, explained his position, claiming that no tribunal in the country, whether court or committee, could take a member to task for his utterances in the House and declining to give evidence or take any part in the proceedings on the further ground that the committee is not an impartial tribunal. Mr Hutchison then left the room. The committee decided to proced with the examination of the other witnesses before dealing with Mr Hutchison's refusal to give evidence before it. THE MAORI VOTE. Mr Rolleston to-night, speaking on the native land policy of the Government, said that tha House was very evenly divided at present, and the Maori members practically controlled the destinies of Parliament. It was, therefore, necessary for the native members to realise their responsibility and insist on some definite policy with regard to the future of their lands. His opinion was that no more native laud legislation should be passed until the requirements of the natives were known. The Government had great power and they 'had capable officers in the Native Land Department who would be able to inform them what lands were absolutely necessary for the natives and also what lands should be inalienable. MR L&RNACH'S DEATH.

The House experienced a thrill of horror to-night when the distressing circumstances connected with Mr Larnach's death became* known. The deceased gentleman was missed from the House for some time, but he was present in his place in the afternoon. Some slight alarm was felt by his family in consequence of Mr Lamach not going home to dinner, and enquiries wero made as to whether or not he was still in the House. The Government whip (MrC. Mills) investigated the matter and ascertained that Mr Larnach was last seen going into the room occupied by the Public Accounts Committee, of which the deceased gentleman was Chairman. Mr Mills visited this room and found the door locked from the inside. He thereupon, with the assistance of a House messenger, burst the door open with a crowbar, and they were horrified to find the unfortunate gentleman shot through the left temple, with a revolver firmly clasped in his right hand. The deed had evidently been committed iu the afternoon, some hue after 4 o'clock, as the body was quite cold. The Premier entered the House about a quarter past 9, and in a broken voice meved the adjournment owing to the member for Tuapeka having died under the most painful circumstances. The House at once rose, and members aud pressmen proceeded to the committee room to view all that remained of the unfortunate gentleman. Up to the present no cause is assigned for the sad deed, and apparently no letters have been left to account for it. JOTTINGS. Mr Wi Pere appealed to Mr Geo. Hutchison to night to cease treating him like a wild pig being pursued by a fierce pig dog. (Laughter). Mr Crowther is urging on the Post-master-General to reinstate a delayed telegram system.