PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. [BY TELEGRAPH.-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2163, 20 May 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. [BY TELEGRAPH.-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Opening the Ball Wellington, Wednesday. The first passage at arms of the se«.ii<>n occurred this afternoon between the Premier and Sir G«aiye Grey over the Now Hebrides question. Sir George had given notice of a .series of resolutions on that subject, and Major Atkinson asked that all the papers referring to it be laid on the table before discussing the question. Mr Stout said some of the papers were confidential, and could not be produced. He further stated that he had informed Sir George that he was not dealing with tho question in a proper manner, a-» it slxmld have been refcried to a Select Committee, but still he had persisted in bringing down his resolutions. Sir George at onoe lose and moved the adjournment of tho H(»u*n to have a fling at the Premier. He said his mind was filled with alarm when he beard tho Premier refuse to lay papeis on the tible. He denied with somo w.uintb that he h.vd'.tcted improperly in tabling the resolution, and it looked as if an angry debate was about to arise on the first fitting day of the .sebsion. However, nobody seconded his motion for adjournment, «uid the matter dropped.

Looking AheadThere is considerable speculation here as to the probabilities of the t>essinu, litit everybody professes to be pvofoundly ignorant ( >f wh.it is to luppen. The Opposition view of the situation at present is that if the Government will frankly inform the House th.it the colony is not in a vet, y flourishing condition, and that in consequence they have no desire in the meantime to indulge m «ny new f .cheme-<, but to carry on the business of the country with prurience and economy, there should be no attempt made to displace them this session, notwithstanding the fact that they are undoubtedly weaker than when Parliament was proiogucd in September last. Fiom previous experience of Sir J. Vogel, howover, the opinion isalso expressed that it will be uttßrly impossible for him to remain in office withont attempting something in the shape of novelty, unless under strong pressure fnrni his colleagues. Should the Treasurer persist in bringing down an o^co^ive borrowing scheme there is no doubt tho Houso will set its face against it, and the tactics of lar>t year will be repeated, with possibly altogether different Jesuits. The Ministerialists btiiingo to .say, ara giving nut that tho Government will be able to carry all before them, but M hashers themselves arc not so sanguine in that respect. It is quite likely that the thretit will be held out to the North Inland members that if they turn out the Uo\ eminent a dissolution will be applied for, winch will necess.it.itH the' now elections being held under the late population basis, as it would be quite impossible to ha vo all tbo present census ieturns available in time for framing a new bill. This, of ciHiiso, would make a considerable difference in the representation of the North Island, a% according to tho most reliuble accounts, the population of that inland has increased to such an extent aa will entitle it to several additional members in the Hou«e. That beiii£ the cose, Northern members will act with considerable caution in precipitating a crisis. The Press Gallery.

A meeting of the Pre^s Gallery was hold this afternoon, at which Mr Morrison, representative of the Hawke'a B.iy Herald,' was unanimously ra-elected Chairman of the Gajhry for the present session. Mr J. Oakley Brown, of the Evening Post, was elected vice-chairman.

The House on Fire. Welmngtox, Wednesday. A' wild sensation has been caused in the House today on learning that tho Parliamontary buildings on Saturday evening last narrowly rsciipstl beinp burneq do\vp.< The fact of the lire taking place on Saturday night, when very few people wcio about and a high wind also blowing at the time, made he escape all the more marvellous.

The House Alight. The House of Representatives now presents a decidedly brilliant appearance at the evening .sitting, owing to the large number of electric lights that are displayed. Since last session the lighting poworlws been greatly increased, and at present consists of fonr large electroliers containing twenty large lamps each, besides numerous other electric lights that are fixed to the pillars of the chamber. The gtmsral effect is exceedingly good, and gives an admirable light all over the House. The reporters, however, were not by any means enraptured with the new lights, as the full glare fr»m one of the powerful electric lights falls directly across the Press (iallerj', and was found to be absolutely dangerous to the reporters' eyesight. In consequence of this Mr Morrison and Mr Browne, representing the Press Gallery, waited on the Minister for Public Works this morning and represented tho matter to him. Mr Richardson at once admitted th.it something would have to be done, and communicated with Dr Lemon, requesting him to take !>teps to lenoedy the evil. The rc'Milt is that on the House meeting to-night a laiTfe silk screen was stretched aurosa the gallery which completely shaded the light from the reporters' eyes without in any way difiguring the general appearance of the chamber.

A Likely Rumour. Liter. The latest Lobby gossip is that in the eventof the defeat of the Government, a coalition between Mr Stout and Major Atkinson is not altogether improbable. It i» further stated that this is the reason why the Leader of the Opposition waa so tender with the Government over the Address-in-Rjply last night. I merely send you the rumour for what it is worth.

The New Hebrides Question. The Honso got in a complete fog over the New Hebrides Question to-night, and there were endless explanations and points of order raised duriug the discussion. Tho whole matter arose from the fact that owing to Major Atkinson's intervention in the afternoon, Sir Geo. Grey wjs induced to withdraw his resolutions temporarily, and Mr Stout also withdrew his amendment for referring the question to a Select Committee. Doubts were then raised by several members as to whether the resolution would not bo altogether lost if they were withdrawn. Mr Stout eventually explained, after , a long debate, that if Sir George. Giey consented to withdraw the resolutions he would be willing, when again moving for a committee to-morrow, to refer the whole of the re*ol'jti»us ti> the committee also. Sir George, who appeared to be unaccountably mystified, again rose to make a per-, tonal explanation, but was really making an attack on the Fiemier, when he was pulled up by the Speaker, who told him he was out of order. The resolutions and amendments were finally withdrawn tiil tomoirow. '