Parliamentary. (BY OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, June 28.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 14, 1 July 1899, Page 1

Parliamentary. (BY OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, June 28.

It came as no surpuse— -tlieamendunn to the Address-in-Kepiy, for it W as an open seciefc that the Opposition would move adverse amendment, having for it e subject the Marine business. Mr J., Stevens, the Member for Manawatu, opened the proceedings yesterday evening by moving the Address-in-Reply. His speech regretted that the authorities had not taken piompt steps to prevent the great Joss of life at Samoa. He hoped the c6lony woujd not be put to gieat Expense to suppoit a standing army. Was in favour of pushing on the Noith Island Mam Trunk Railway, and advocated ft loan for the completion of the North Island and Midland railways. He thought 20 yeais' residence sufficed to qualify a peison for receipt of an old age pension, and concluded by defending' th6 J Government iund policy. The seconder, Mr J. A. Miller, member foi Dunedin, uiged that gieater attention should be paid to the development of the gold mining industry ; that the colony's manufactuies should be fostered by plac ing a higher duty on certain classes of machinery. He congratulated the Government on having set up a Eoyal Commission to enquire into irregularities m the Manne department, and thought that a wise thing had been done in appointing a nautical adviser from the Boaid of Tiade. He did not favour the idea of a tiee bieakfast table, as this would mean a loss of £238,481 per annum, which simply meant 6s. per head. Was in favour of tboioughly equiping the railways before m,iking fuither reductions in fi eights, and leekoned that half a million yearly should be !»oi rowed to complete the railways. He defended the Government Labour Legislation, and contended that the Conciliation Board should have better poweis, so that its awauls should be binding. He hoped the Government would deal with the Press Association, which he declaied had developed into a huge monopoly. An instance was given of a Dunedin paper that sought to become a member of the press assjciation about thiee weeks ago. The teiuis demanded were £900 entrance fee, with a yeaily sub. of £300, and pay fo* its own telegiams. He contended that it was monstrous the Government should pay £36 yeaily for the maintenance of such a monopoly. Captain Russell contended that the Government in resolving to reduce the Custom duties had filched a plank from the Opposition policy. He disagreed with the piesent management of the railways^ Did not believe in the Royal Commission to enquire into maiine matters, and pro* posed to move an amendment in this matter. Having moved his amendment, the Premier took it as one of no-confidenctf and th,e House adjourned till 2.30 p»m» to-day. (Continued on fourth P3gq>)