POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 356, 20 October 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(by tklko uaph - special cobkesi'ondent) Wellington, Last Night. THE POLICE FGROG. Tiiiri; were some lively incidents in the House this morning about four o'clock over the Police Estimates. The Premier made a Ministerial statement as to the intention of the Government with respect to the report of the Police Commission, .md this was considered as most unsatisfactory, even by his own supporters. Mr Montgomery, for instance, complained that the Premier had given no indication that the control of the Police Force wjs to bo taken from the Minister ; yet this whs wdiat the House and country wanted, and what they would have. What was the use of the Commissioners' report if it was not to be piven effect to? The whole trouble had arisen owing to the control and interference of the Minister. What was the use of the Commissioner if he was not to have control ? It could be understood, after the Premier's statement, why the debate on the Police Commission report had been shirked by the Premier. It was not intended to give effciet to the Commissioners' report, and the same old bad state of things was to be allowed to continue. He moved that the vote for the salaries of the Inspectors be reduced by £1 as an indication that the recommendation of the Commission in regard to them should be given effect to. At this stage (3.45 a.m.) there was not a quorum in the chamber. Mr Montgomery asked if the Government was going to call on Inspectors Emerson and Hickson to resign. Mr Thompson, the Minister for Defence, said the Government had arrived at no decision on that question. The decision arrived at was that some of these Inspectors would be retired Mr Montgomery said that either Inspector Emerson should be removed or the Minister would be removed. That was what it would come to. Mr Tunbridge should have a free hand. He was not likely to be a mere echo of the Ministry of the day, as apparently was now expected of him. Mr Taylor said the Minister for Defence was an object of ridicule, both inside the House and outside of it, and every clerk in his own Department sniggered whevever his name was mentioned, as he ought to do. He then referred to the Minister in such strong language that Mr Thompson challenged him to repeat it outside, to which Mr Taylor replied that he had no objection to say it either inside the House or outsida it. Mr Taylor then re ferred to Inspector Emerson, of Napier, and said he had been informed that certain charges were made against the Inspector on one occasion at Hastings. Mr Seddon warmly defended the Inspector, and shouted out that whoever told Mr Taylor that, was a " liar." Mr Taylor replied that he preferred to believe his informant on any one of the seven days of the week rather than the Premier. The manner in which the Police Commissioners' report had been treated was a discreditable evasion of the whole issue. Mr Montgomery's amendment was negatived on the voices. Mr Taylor then (5.10 a.m.) moved to report progress, but it was negatived by 20 votes to 10 r and other classes of the Estimates were considered till nearly 7 o'clock, when a weary House adjourned till 2.30 this afternoon. THE ANNUAL-" SLAUGHTER."

The Premier to-day announced the first " slaughter of the innocents " this session by moving that 41 Bills in various stages be discharged from the Order Paper. Members greeted mauy of the measures proposed to lie dropped with incredulous cries of " Oh, oh," and laughter. Mr Pirani raised the question as to whether it was competent for the Premier to strike out Bills having the names of private members attached to them. The Speaker said it was usual at this late stage of the session for the Government to assume that power. Mr Pirani reminded Sir Maurice O'Rorkc that he had already ruled that no one had the right to strike Bills off the Order Paper except the members in charge of them. The Speaker again stated that the Premier was adopting the usual course under the circumstances, but Mr Pirani could objeot to any particular Bill being discharged. Mr Pirani moved as an amendment that the Impounding Act Amendment Bill and the Administration of Lauds of Natives Bill (both in his own name), and the Cemeteries Act Amendment Bill, in Mr Carroll's name, be retained on the Order Paper. Ho specially objected to the latter being struck out, as it was merely a technical measure which had already passed the Legislative Council, and provided for the audit of accounts of cemetery trustees. The Premier finally gave way on the point, and said he should allow the Cemetery Bill to have another chance. The other forty Bills were theu discharged from the Ordct Paper ; but as there are about fifty public aud private Bills still on the Order Paper, it is perlectly obvious that a second " slaughter" will shortly have to be made, that is if the House is to prorogue in three weeks or a month, as now seems very probable.