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

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2165, 25 May 1886, Page 2

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

The Midland Railway. , , Wellington, Saturday. > It is understood that an organised opposition will aenin he made this session' to' the East and West Coast Railway, especially the concession to the com puny in the shape of land grants. The deb.ite on Thursday night was significant of what is to be expected later ou. Sir George Grey who is violently opposed to the proposed method of constructing the line is first in the field as usual. He has already introduced a bill tn prohibit the importation of coloured labour within the colony, the object being to prevent the company from employing Chinese labour for the construction of the railway. The Bill will most likely be carried}' as few members will care to vote against so popular n measure. .If an it will make a serious difference to the railway contractors, - the general idea, being that 1 they would take advantage of Chinese labour in constructing the line. rFrom present appearances it looks as* if the East and West Coast .Railway,, whjqh occupied ho ,much time Jast session, will be opened up again 'this year, and attacked on altogether different grounds to those which were'then advanced.

The Financial Statement. The latest report about the Financial Statement is that itis likely to be brought down on Friday night.- Sir J. Vogel and the Treasury clerks have been exceedingly busy for some time past, but jt is surmised that some disagreement ' between the Promier and Treasurer as to the amountto be borrowed is the primary cause of the Budget not beittg yet quite prepared.

Mr Bryce's Banquet. The banquet to Mr Bryce this afternoon wm attended by nearly 200 ladies and gentlemen, including the Speakers of both Houses, the Premier and Native* Minister and three of Mr Bryce's late colleagues, Major Atkinson, Mr Rolleston and Mr Connolly, and about 40 members in all of the House were'present, plhe {speeches made were highly complimentary fo Mr Bryce, especially those of Sir Maurice O'Rorke and'Mr Stout. Mr Bryce an his reply gave an eloquent and interesting account* of the late libel action, »nd>h# received an enthusiastic reoeptipn ifrpm^he large audience^ present. The proceeding* lasted for'two hours and &:half. Invitations were courteously 'forwarded to the ujenibers of. the-Press galleryj several 6t whom,attended the banquet,' which was a most successful-gathering in every respect.