Parliamentary. (BY OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 19, 11 July 1899, Page 3

Parliamentary. (BY OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

"WILLIN'GTON, .Tilly 6. The fust division bell of the session rang at midnight, when the Ko confidence motion was disposed of, the Go\eihment setting a majonty of 7. The voting was Government 38, Opposition 29. Mr J. Hutcheson, who voted with the Opposi- ! tion, aiose ■when the lesult was announced ! and said that he had a, personal explanation to make. He contended that when he was elected in 1896 he made a cci tain pledge, which was that when he could no longer follow this Governmeut he would lender back his Uufet. That tune had now arnved, and in addition to that he had added the incentive of being accused by a Minister of the Ciown of being faithless to his pledges of being a degenerated laboui membei, there foi the sake of a few paltiy pounds, ot being a handy man and loblolly boy and the tool of capitalists. The Speaker said that vas scarcely a peisonal explanation. Mr Hutoheson then went on to say that it was now his duty to hand m his resignation as membei of the House. Mi Hutchison then walked to the Speakei's chan and handad in his resignation amidst loud applause. Seveial ladies in the palleiy, among; whom weie Mesdames Hutcheson, l'nani, and Taylor joined in the applause. The whole affair was ot a veiy chamatic chaiaeter, and cieated quite a sensation. Commenting on the mattei, the Tunes says that, " if his only intention had been to set himself light with his constituents he would have lesigned long ago, as we have contended it was his duty to do when he found that he could not satisfy his conscience, and keep his election pledges. By the time and manner of his resignation he has infeiied that peisonal piqire and political antagonism aie more powerful motives with him than conscientious conviction and duty to the electois." The election will take place in the course of a few weeks, when Mr Hutcheson will stand for le-election in opposition to the piesent Government. His chances of being leturned aie veiy fair, as in addition to the number of Independent Libeials who will vote foi him, he is certain, under piesent chcamstances, to seeuie the Opposition vote. It is iumouied thaf Mi Jelhcoe, the lawyer, will contest the Wellmcjton seat jn his own. Another lumour states that Mi Hutchison will have a walk over, as neither the Government noi the Opposition will put torwaid a man. Time will tell, however.

July 7. The resignation of Mr JJ Hutcheson, ' late senior me«nber for Wellington CAy is the chief topic of conveisahon with all soits an<l conditions of men and women. In the Wellington journals he has definitely announced himself as an Indeppndent Lileial in opposition to thre present Government. Mr Jellicoe, a lawyei, who lecently was suspended thiough the issuing of an affidavit concerning one of our Judges, also announces himself as a candidate, and a Mr J. J. K. Powell, who stood at. the late general election, and who lost his £10 over the matter, again signifies his intention to woo the suffrages of the electors. Of course the fight will be between Messrs Hutchison and* Jellicoe.' The Government are not moung in the matter, but it is geneially understood that certain institutions favourable to the Government will stiive with might and main for Mr Jellicoe. The chances are decidedly with Mr Hutchison, for in addition to his own partisans he will obtain support from many conserratives who will endeavour to show that though the (Government mn.y not be defeated on a " no-confidenc« " motion in Parliament, yet every effort will be made to defeat any candidate with leanings towards the Government. It is very certain that the writs will be issued to-clay, and the election take place about July 26th. Fortunately the Registrar of electors ha.s the rolls in an advanced state, therefore, no delay is possible in connection with the matter. In one particular, concernJßg this. Marine scandal Mr Hutchison seems

to have spoken without proof, viz., the allegation that Captain Allman, the late nautical adviser, obtained his master's certificate in a very farcical manner. The Government has communicated witfit the Premier of New South Wales about this matter, and the reply received was that Captain Allman passed the customary examination, and the official report states that he was very quick and correct in his woik. The eablegiam in connection with this matter is signed by Hugh Pollock, secietary to Attorney Geneial, N.S.W. Since writing the foregoing notes, it has been whispered here that Mr William McLean is likely to come forward in the hbeial inteiest. Mi McLean was a member of the House of Repiesentalives duiing the sessions of 92 93, having been elected at a bye election caused Tby the resignation of Mr Kennedy McDonald. His opponent on that occasion was Mr H. D. Bell. It is sLated that neither Messrs Hutchison or Jelhcoe are likely to secure the Cathol'o vote, and it is just possible that Mr McLean may slip in between the other candidates. It is also stated that in any case he will be a candidate at the general election. Other candidates mentioned are Mr A. Collins of the Trades' and Labour Council, and* Mr Fielder, a well known met chant of Manners Stieet, Wellington. The Addiess-in-Keply is' stiil'Deing debated, but yesterday evening the attendance of the public was small compai eel with other evenings. If is e\pected that the Premier and Mr Gco. Fishei will speak to night, after which the debate will fizzle oat. , In view of ceitain infungements of the Customs, Mr Duthie has given notice to<, move that there be laid before the House a retuin setting foith all infungements of the Customs Act lepoited to the Secretary of the Customs Depaitment during the last thiee financial yoais, in connection to Emnish the names of all principals and' agents concerned, and to show how each' case has been dealt, and the leasons theiefor. The Public Contracts Bill introduced by the Government, with the object of fixing ■ a minimum rate of pay and maximum hours of labour onfall Government contracts, has been circulated. The rates of pay and horns of labour aye to be fixed accoidmg to what is geneially consideied fair for the description of Jabour to which they 1 elate. Mr Flatman wants to know if the GoI veinment are moving or intend to move in the direction for encouraging the establishment of diiect communication between the colony and Manchester and Liverpool, with the object of having colonial products carried at a cheaper rate and to a : more duect-market than is done at pre" sent. 1 Mr Lawryis enquiring if it is true that a number of 'officers are retained in the public service who have passed the prescribed age of letention in the said service, namely, sixty-five years. If so, have any complaints reached the Government to the effect that the officers indicated are obstacles in the way ol promotion fo 1 ' younger men in the public service ; further, if such is the case, -will the Premier take the necessary steps to remove the disabilities which press heavily on men in public service, who aie belovr the age of sixty-five years. Eespecting a matter mentioned in former notes, the Hon. G. Jones asked the "Minister of Education yesterday in the Legislative Council, how many, inebriates' institutions had been established under the Act of last session, what official appointments had been made, and the number of patients committed under itg provisionsThe Minister replied that though the measure had been passed last year, no appropriations were taken to its credit. This year, however, the Government proposed to ask Parliament for a vote wherewith effect might b& given to the Act. At a meeting of the Wellington Trades tnd .Labour Council, helcUast m'ght, Mr

J. Hutcheson attended, and briefly explained the course of events which led up to his resignation. After Mr Hutcheson's withdrawal, his conduct in voting against the Government on the No-confidence motion was freely discussed, and the following resolution agreed to by a large majority, " That this Council desires to place on record its confidence in Mr J, Hutcheson."

July 8. The Address-in-Keply was disposed of about two this morning after a somewhat lifeless debate. When the House bell rang at 11 o'clock after the supper adjournment theie -was not a quorum present, but T. Par.tta and one or two Government suppoiters came in anp prevented a count-out. The chief talk heie is about the bye-election, which is to take place on the 25th inst. Although Yaiious rumours aie in existence as to the appearance of several candidates it is veiy ceitain that the finhtwill be between Messrs Hutcheson and Jellicoe. The ceitainty of the former being le-elected is very conspicuous, as he will secuie the Opposition, vote for that j paity does not intend putting up a candidate against him. He will also secure the Prohibition vote, a section of the Trades Unionists and the vaiious dissatisfied Liberals. The Wellington branch of the Liberal and Labour Fedeiation met last night and after a -long diicussion it was decided to take no action for either candidate during the election. Yesterday afternoon another debate arose over the now notorious Marine scandal. Mr Hall-Jones tabled several i documents containing extracts which he ! quoted during his speech and several members wanted the whole of the papeis refening to the marine, biz. also the famous envelope memo. Otheis wished to indemnify- Captain Airman and the others implicated in this matter so that their evidence before the Royal Commission could not be used against them should they afterwards be had up on a charge ot conspiracy. The Premier promised that all the papers in connection with the case would be laid on the* table within a fortnight. The Piemier eonsidcis that so liitle interest will betaken in the bye-ejection that he expected 5000 or 6000 electors would be struck off the roll tor not voting.