POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 362, 3 November 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(nYTEJ.EUKAPH--SPKCIAL CORRESPONDENT) Wellington, Last Night. CABINET RECONSTRUCTION. I iieae on good authority that Mr Thompson, the Minister of Justice, will retire from the Ministry after the session closer. Mr McNab is mentioned as likely to take his place in the Cabinet, but as he is regarded as a " Left Wing," the party generally would probably not favour Mr MeNab's accession to the Ministry. It is not forgotten also that another member of the Ministry (Mr Hall-Jones) was in reality one of the Left Wing before he joined the Cabinet as Minister for Public Works, and his appointment has never been popular with the majority of the party. It is thought probable in Ministerial circles that the uncertain state of health of the Minister for Lands may compel him to resign his seat in the Cabinet at an early date. Mr McKenzie has been far from well of late and his continuance in office will, I understand, depend altogether on the state of his health. . DISCREDITABLE TACTICS. The debate on the Public Works Statement was only commenced this afternoon, although the Statement itself was brought down about five weeks ago. Mr Geo. Hutchison opened the debute, and in doing so he was subjected to extraordinary treatment by the Ministerial party. It is perhaps needless to remark that this debate is invariably one of the most important of the session, and yet when Mr Hutchison rose to discuss the public works proposals, nearly the whole of the Government supporters left the Chamber, and only nine of the party remained behind, three of them oeing Ministers. The evident intention was to leave the member for Patea without a quorum, which is always regarded as putting a slight on the particular member addressing the House at the time, but if this were the object arrived at it was frustrated by the Opposition remaining in their seats, so that the Speaker's bell was not required to ring for a House. The whole aifair, however, looked like a deliberate attempt to belittle a political opponent, especially when one of the most important debates of the session was proceeding. Members of the Government party excuse their conduct by saying that everybody is tired of speechifying at this stage of the session, b.it is it the fault of the Opposition if the Premier refuses to bring on the Public Works debate till within a few days of the prorogation, when members are physically unable through late hours to discuss the proposals iu a reasonable manner. STOCK ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Two important amendments have been made by the Legislative Council in this Bill. In assessing the compensation for condemned . stock it is to be provided that iu the case of a difference between the Inspector aud the owner each party is to appoint an arbitrator, and the two arbitrators may nominate an umpire, the decision of such arbitrators or umpire to be final. It is also recommended that two or more licensees, iustead of one, as under the Bill, may con.bine in applicatiou for a special inspector of slaughter-house or slaughter-houses. MINISTERIAL REVERSE. The Premier to-day asked for leave to introduce the Imprisonment for Debt Limitation Bill, but the request was greeted with a perfect shout of " Noes" all round the House, and the motion was lost by 33 to 30. Mr Seddou was evidently chagrined at the rebuff he encountered, but jocularly remarked ttiat he had fulfilled ,his promise to the member for Wellington. Mr Fisher, however, appeared to think otherwise, as he siguificantly told the Premier that it was rather late in the day to do so. WAGES PROTECTION KILL. The Legislation Council has given the following reasons for insisting on the amendments made by the Council in the Wages Protection Bill, viz. :—l. That the Bill as passed by the House of Representatives, involved interference with the freedom of employers and workers, such as nothing but clear proof of the existence at present of great abuses could justify : (2) that the evidence taken by the Labour Bills Committee of the Council shows that no such abuse exists, aud the House of Representatives passed the Bill without tak'iig evidence ; (3) that the practice of collective insurance against accidents is beneficial to workers aud employers alike.