POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2805, 5 July 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

lllY TELEGRAPH— OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Last Night. THE JUDGE EDWARDS APPOINTMENT. A most acrimonious discussion arose this afternoon on the introduction of the Bill to provide forjudge Edward's salary. It is, of course, a most unusual proceeding for a debate to take place on the first reading of a Bill. When, therefore, Mr Mitchelson, tho aclmg-leader of tho House, proposed to postpone tho Financial Debate in order that a number of Bills might be introduced, he evidently had no idea that a lengthy discussion would arise on this particular measure. Captain Russell introduced the Bill by a message from the Governor, upon which there was a perfect storm of disapprobation as well as some groans from the Opposition benches immediately after tho House waa asked to agree to His Excellency's message in the usual way. Mr Seddon rose to move that a respectful reply be sent to the Governor to the effect that> the circumstances of the colony did not wairant the oxpense of a sixth judge, This raised a debate that lasted all the afternoon, and from the tone it assumed it was perfectly evident that the Judge Edward's appointment would be fought out to the bitter end by the opposition. Ministers appealed to the House to wait for the second reading of the Bill, and both Capt. Russell and Mr Hislop stated that they would be prepared to prove that the appointment was not only absolutely necessary but that it was perfectly legal and constitutional. It was expected when Mr Mitchelson agreed to report progress that the discussion would be brought to a close, but it still went on, and the House being in committee members of course were at liberty to speak as often as they pleased. The debate was not concluded when the House rose for dinner.

A WORDV ENCOUNTER. It is well-known that there is no political sympathy of any kind between Mr (lallance and Mr Scobie Mclvenzie, and this fact was illustrated during the debate on Judge Edward's appointment this afternoon, Mr Ballance had seveial times expressed himself strongly on the subject characterising the appointment as utterly illegal, and unconstitutional when it came to Mr Scobie McKcnzia's turn to address tho House, he advised Mr Ballance not to adopt such a high moral tone, as it was well-known that the member for Wanganui had himself given expression to the opinion that judgments delivered by Supreme Court Judges should be subject to revise by a Parliamentary committee, a, proceeding which Mr McKenzie characterised as most vicious and pernicious. Mr Ballance rose, and denied that he had ever said anything of the kind, to which Mr McKenzie retorted that he could prove what he had stated, he then took some little timo searching amongst his papers, amid considerable jeering from the Opposition, but at length informed the House that he was now in a position to prove his words, and he proceeded to read from a speech delivered by Mr Ballance in Wanganui in ISS7, in which the member for Wanganui was reported to have spoken as follows:—" With reference to the Supremo Court proceedings. If a judgment was delivered, which violated the public conscience and was looked upon as a wrong judgment perhaps not wrong, however, from any acts of the Judge's, the matter should be enquired into and some redress obtained. He (Mr B dlance) thought indeed that there ought to be not only a reform of the Supreme Court, but also reformoftheSnprmeComtitself. Theroought to be a judicial committee of both Houses of Parliament continually sitting. Whenever a judgment was lepoited. which did not in tho public mind seem right, the matter should be brought before the Legislature." Mr McKenzie went on to say that the expression of opinion from Mr Ballance caused such a howl of disapprobation all over the colony that, ho dropped it like a hot, potato. Mr lVillance again rose, and said the report Mr Mclvenzie h-.id quoted from was not a full or coireet one, and also that the. member for Mount, Ida knew veiy well that the Press Association reporters were not always correct. The impiessii n, however, that appeared to lie left in the. minds of a largo portion of the Mouse -lml the Opposition, of cours*. -was that Mr McKenzie had scored rather heavily against the member for Wanganui.

THK FIXAXGIAL DKBATK. 'I'liiire is n.ifc tho slisrhti'.st chance of tho financial debate being brought to a close as a good many members mi bolh Hides have expressed their intention of spanking on il. including Captain Russell, Mr Mitcholson, and probably Mi' Hislop. When the llonso gets into Committee of Supply, an eli'ort will bo made to Rut all the clauses of the Departmental expenditure through in one sitting, a.s was done once before during the roigo of tho A'ogel Government. DRASTIC IIKTRI'-NCHMKT. Mr Monk, wlio is one of the party known as " Skinflints," intends to move when the estimates are under consideration, that the first item be reduced by one pound, the undeistaiiding being that tho (internment should take it as an indication that there should really be a reduction of t'50,000. Ministers have not yet decided whethorthey will accept the motion or not, but the fact of its being moved by a strong Government supporter like the member for Waitemata will, of course, have some elfect mi their decisions. If the proposal had come from the Opposition, it goes without saving that it would be strongly opposed. I understand that the proposal to iv.duc.) the estimate by this largo amount will receive the support of the Opposition. HIBLK IX SCHOOLS. The Bible in Schools pirty held a meeting this morning. The Hon. J. 15. Acland presided, and ten members were present, besides which others were accounted for. Regret was expressed for the death of the Hon. Dr. Menzies, who was rmo of the lenders of the movement. The Hill drafted by Mr Tanner was discussed, and its provisions were in the main agreed to, exception only being taken to the clause dealing with comment. Tho Bill is set down for its second reading noxt Wednesday.