PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. [BY TELEGRAPH-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2180, 29 June 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. [BY TELEGRAPH-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

The Public Works Statement. Wellington, Saturday. Thk Public Works Statement ha* not o\cited much comment to-day. Indeed it is regarded as a production which might just as woll have been made a month ago. It is said that Sir J. Vogcl has had almost as much to do in preparing the Statement a* Mr Riehardxon. There was suppressed laughter when the Minister for Public Works came to that portion of the Statement rotating to the £800,000 balance, which Sir J. Vogel still sticks to, but which most, people now believe is altogether a myth, and the skilful way in winch votes ate transferred from one account to another looks uncommonly like the Treasurer's financial handiwork. The Statement is also largely of a retrospective character, and there is little in it concerning the future operations that was not already known by the Financial Statement. The Counties Bill. The Counties Bill last night made very little progress, considering that nearly seven hours were spent in discussing about half-a-dozen clauses. This was entirely owing to the stonewalling tactics adopted by Sir G. Grey and the West Coast members. Sir George divided the House at almost every stage of the property voting qualification, although in each ■case an overpowering majority wo* against him. During the discussion Sir George made one of his characteristic «peeche« about the cruel wrong that was about to be inflicted on the |>eople, and said if he were a younger man he would go from one end of the colony to the other in order that such n wrong might be removed. In the end, however, ho virtually gained his point by Mr Buchanan innocently moving that no person should be allowed to vote in more than twelve ridings. His object in moving this was to prevent Sir George from delaying the business by calling for a division in his various amendments, the first of which was that no person should vote in more than two ridings ; having lost this he moved for three, and up to eight, evidently intending to go on indefinitely. It was in yam that members pointed out that it was an utter impossibility to vote in more than two or three ridings at any election. Sir George still persisted in affirming what ha called a great principle. On Mr Buchanans motionjbeing carried, therefore, it was really what the member for Auckland City Eaut desired, as it is said lie (Sir George) wanted the House to bo committed to the principle that they were "willing to give one man sixty jw>tes (which by the way hi could not possibly exercise) while another man only got one vote. By this time the committee were in such an irritable mood that members were prepared to vote for anything so as to make some progress with tqe business. There is already, oomc talk of getting the bill recommitted for the purpose of striking out Mr Buchanans amendment relating to voting in twelve ridings. There was a discussion of noarly three hours on Sir George Grey's amendment that the chairman of the county council should be elected by the twople, but he was beaten on this by 50 to- 15. During the debate on this clause, which was kept going principally by Sir George, Messrs Seddon, Guinness and O'Connor, the Premier made an earnest protest against the waste of time that occurred on this bill, and said the attitude of certain merhhers had only irritated the Hou«e, and prevented all hope of compromise The most curious proposal of all, though, whs yet to come, namely, the striking out of the clause relating to the salary of the county chairman. Capt. Sutter jocuhrly proposed that the clause be struck out. at which there arose a chorus from the West Coast member of "Hear, hear," "strike it out," never dreaming, of course, that such an event would actually happen. As I before stated, however, the committee was in a temper to vote for anything, and Capt. Sutler's motion was carried by a majority of three to two, to the interns astonishment of the West Coasters, all of whom voted for the striking out of the clause. I hear they are now eager to have the salary clause recommitted, with a view to its being restored to the bill, but the House is not likely to consent to that courno after last night's tactics, unless the country chairmen in the Honse , of whom there are several, e\ert themselves to have the clause reinstated. Two or three of the gold fields members also are chairmen of councils.

Government Insurance. The Government Insurance Association Committee, moved by Mr Ormond, in doing valunble work, and is enquiring *xImuntively into the management and investments made by the Association. Jt is confidently expected that this committee will confer immense benefits on the policyholders generally and all who .are concerned in the welfare of the Association. The committee will not report to the House for about a fortnight after Mr Ormond returns from Napier.

Public Works Finance. Monday. Great dissatisfaction is being expressed at the Public Works proposals, and a stormy debate will result when they come on for discussion. Several members who have gone into the statement carefully have come to the conclusion that instead of £1,500,000 available for future railways as they expected, tjuite a half will be taken to meet existing liabilities, and to recoup old loans for permanent way material. &c, now in hand all over the country. The resuit is that the Treasurer will be able to spend really half the loan in roads and bridges, which members say is breaking the promise of the Financial Statement. The North of Auckland Railway will thus have £4000 spent on it this year ; £20,000 will be taken to pay its share of the material in store, and the remaining £40,000 (making up the £70,000 promised to it) will remain to be spent in future yean. The statement as a whole, appeared to please nobody, and » a prominent Opposition member summed up the matter bv declaring that if such a Public Work* Statement had been brought down by the Atkinson Government they would be met immediately afterwards by a vote of no-confidence.

Various Rumours. There were several rumours floating about to-day. One was that Major Atkinson would submit » distinct proposal 'that the House should be reduced to 80 members. Another report was that Mr Macandrew, who has been in rather failing health of late, is to be called to the Upper House at the clove of this session. Should this.

rumojir prove to be correct there will bo but one opinion on it, namely, that Mr Mucandrew'rt elevation would bo one of the most graceful and meritorious acts performed by the prewnt Ministry there beimr few member* in the Hoit.se held iv t»ucn personal rcspfct as the liiembr r f(»r Port Chalmers. The posiiblc coalition of Sir Kobt Stout and Major Atkinson i» ngain bnraght prninincntly forward and, strange «s it may appear, in now regarded by m»ny nicniborrt as quite a settled thiuff. If Sir J. Vo^el returns to En^lnnd shortly (which is Haid to be a probable event) the rivnl leaders would combine to form a party which would probably have an extended lease of office.

Death of the Hon. T. Henderson. The flaps of all the \eshels in harbour today were half-ina«t high out of resjHjct to the memory of Mr Thus. Hendernon, M.L.C., who diod yesterday morning, after a .short illness. Mr Hernerson'rf remains are to be interred at Auckland.

The Jubilee Ball. There WM no flitting of the House tonight in consequence! of the jubilee ball in the spnciou* corridor of the House of Representatives, (ircnt preparations have been made to render the bail a success. About 600 people are expected to be present.