Parliamentary Gossip.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 152, 27 June 1894, Page 2

Parliamentary Gossip.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY

(BT TELEGRAPH.— PARLIAMENTARY RE

[PORTER.)

Weixiscton, this day.

GETTING INTO KARNE33_ The Parliamentary curtain* is fairly up, the prologue has been spoken, and all the preliminaries disposed of, and no*". j1!.8 P^aX — which some regard as a tragedy, A6M& as a comedy, and some aw altogether te*e settidua and sacred to be tbe subject of similar metaphor of any kind wba^ver.—. has commenced, like those intef minable Chinese dramas Bhab lasb for death* it) a time. Thte annt&l Wellington production is surffi if nothing unforseen occurs, to make the management change their minds to run it for the nexb thirteen or fourteen, weeks. lam aware it is said that, with amended Standing Orders, the season may close in bwo months, but I am sceptical of the power of the best constructed Standing Orders to produce such a change, especially in a House where there Ate so many who have" dot yet- tasted' the flwee'ts of Parliamentary life. If I could sketch fdf the teadefs of the Stab a brief otrtlfai of bhe drama which virbually opened yedtCrdSy.l wohld gladly do feo,' hfdrb fadWib ttfay evolve not even the chief actors are in a position to say. What plots and conntor-plobs shall be developed in bhe course of the next dofcfin weeks, "Who are to hi bhfe heroes and who bhe villains among that eager company crowded together at tha wltfgs,' whab strivings and divisions, whab virbtie rewarded or evil devices btought to ntiughb shall be seen and heard of, whit dark conspiracies shall be dragged to light, what complications shall arise, and who will set bhem right*. AU this, not even bh*6 witjtet amongst up here can tell. Thd Parliamentary nadus cannob be unravelled, especially now, before ib has been bied. It is doubtful whether if one had the gift of prophecy he' Could make clear all these political mysteries, and the wit of political palmistry (an arb which, of codtse, is nobbing akin to fortutte-ieTlitig, and is one which moat press representatives reckon among their accomplishments), isone less in use this session than last, for Ministers keep their bands pretty firmly closed, and one cannob read much from those hard white knuckles. Let ua, therefore, cease to forecast the fdbure too'curiously, and, taking oiir place among the spectators, watch the drama as ib evtilves*. T%E CURTAIN RAISED. The opening scene yestorday was cjuieb enough} indeed, decidedly tedious. There was the usual rain of petitions and notices of mobion on. the clerk's table, bhe same monotonous "Sir" from every corner of the Rouse as member-after member, from every parb of tho colony bebween Bluff and the North Gape, declared his intention to ask this or to do that. Many of the voices are. familiar to us; many a time and of b have we heard them in the stormy or halcyon days of the last Parliament* bub a greab many are hew. Ib is to these we listen with most curiosity. We connect all we know of the newcomers with the manner and voice in which bhey make bheir firsb utterances, and strive to gain a libtle insight into their characters, bub their bnsinesa is so very brief and formal that we gather libtle from their mebhod of transacting it. While we are specially abbraebed by new facos and hew voices, we mias many which were familiar to us when Our representatives-gathered a year agO in their Council Chambers. Where now is bhe genial, gentle Rolleston, where is the volcanic George Fisher* Orson-like Buckland, or that unbending enemy of the Government, Fish, of Dunedin ; where, too, is Scobie, with his carefully-prepared* impromptus, his hard-polished witticisms. Where is Thompson, of Auckland, so useful in the House and in tbe Committeerooms, so obliging in tbe lobby ; Palmer, the admired of the ladies' gallery; the epigrammatic Shera, and Sydenham Taylor, to whom, the House had good cause bo be thankful On " many a midnight dreary." They are all vanished, and, as yeb, no one can tell if there are any among the new members wbo will be able to fill their respective roles, or whebher they will remain empty. THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS. After a-mass of Bills bad been read a first time and the date of their second readings fixed,, the House was proceeding bo .notices of motion, tho firsb of which stood in Mr Seddon's name, when Sir Roberb Stoub rose to a quesbion of privilege, and demanded bo know on wliat authority Colonel .fraser occupied tbe position of Sergeanb-ab-Arms. Sir Maurice O'Rorke, who, was aware of tbe intention on.the part of the Opposition to question the Colonel's right to bear bhe mace, explained tbab, Subsequent to his election, he bad Men asked by the premier whether he had any objection to Colonel Fraser performing the duties of Sergeant-at-Arms. He had offered no objection, beeahse, knowing Colonel Fraser as he did, he considered him bo be a most competent person bo hold the position. He had heard bhab the last Parliament had taken away from, the Speaker powdrs iri connection with the appoinbmenb of officers of the House,, but, oh making inquiries, he found it was! nob bhe case. Sir Maurice gave the House clearly to understand bhab had any encroaebmenb been made on what ho cohsidered the privileges and powers Of bbc House Or of the chair, he would have been the first to resent it, but he was nob aware that any such encroachment had taked plabd. The Premier endortfed bbc remarks of She Speaker thab no appoinbmenb had been made, bub bhe Knighb waa clearly benbon a quarrel, and be refused to be satisfied with the answer, if, as the Premier had said, the Colonei was ,hdfc appoinbdd, either filially or temporarily, then he was ah interloper ahd Had no right On bhe floor of the House. Again Mr Seddon strove to stem the waters of debate, which were rapidly rising. He told Sir Robert bhab bhe House would have an opportunity of dealing with the whole matter, tbab similar situations had arisen before, arid had created ho difficulty, as his honorable friend (he might have said opponent) knew very well. Bub Sir Roberb pretended thab he did nob know, and, when the Premier quoted examples, ihe Knighb changed his position and declared that, if ib was tbe case bhab such infringements of the rules of the House as the placing of Col. Fraser in his present position undoubtedly wan, then ib was all the more necessary the matter should be inquired into ab once. He wished to know when the Premier intended to bring forward the matter. Mr Seddon, thus badgered, promised thab he would bring down a mobion at an early dabe, and tho matter looked closed, when Capb. Russell jumped lo his feeb. Addressing the Speaker, he .poke of an attempt which had been made lasb session to take away the liberties oi the House, and of the efforts he and his colleagues had made to withstand these attempts. The present matter was an instance in poinb. According to the Captain, the Premier had forced on the House a person without consulting either " Yon, sir," (meaning Mr Speaker), or the members of "this House." Mr Seddon rapidly replied that it was not just to say thab tbe Speaker had not been consulted, or that any appointment had been made. Both statements were incorrect. The Opposition blood which. thOiigh hot vfefry plentiful how-a-day*, te yet of fiery quality* wa* reused, ena- G&pfc* Rnl-aeU knd'-Dr. -Newfc'an'rose *te|r*ttfl.r.** -Tfee-fbrrtef'fepttke** AW bitVwas onickly'followed by the dappbr Dr. New-'

matt, Who in his haste got a little mixed, and spoke of the privileges of the Honse being over-ruled by an arbitrary Speaker backed by a powerful majority. "Arbitrary Speaker " evoked a chorus of "Ohs," and Sir Maurice looked severely towards the Doctor. •* Arbitrary Premlef I mean, sir," said the latter, apologetically, and wenb on to attack, with still more vehemence of teiiguagey add * gesture, to denounce the arbitrary one. Lawyer Bell, _of Wellington, joined him, and in a very involved speech which served to obscure the issues very effectively. Then followed points of order in quick succession, whfdfi, betffg, rapidly decided by the judicial speaker. Sir Robert Stoub was heard giving notice thab he would move to-morrow, " That a respectful address be presented to His Excellency, praying bim to appdinb some eligible person to the position; of S&geant-ab-Atats." A very perceptible 101 l ensued on this declaration, and after bhab, the ham of conversation recommended, amid which one could with difficulty distinguish tbe voice ot tbe Premier saying significantly, " There is bub one way to bake that motion. ,r A TIMELY INTBRPOSITION. He would have Said more, but the Speaker interposed, and suggested that Mr Seddon should give notice of motion to discuss the appointment of Sergeanb-ab-Arms next day. " Well, bhen," said Mr Seddon, "I will give notice to-morrow.' 1 " 1 will give notice of. my motion also," returned Sir R. Stent. So tbe matber: ended., If ib did nobhing else It revealed very clearly tbe fact bhab the hostility of Sir .Robert this.session is not the veiled hostility,of the last Parliament, but war bo bhe knife. When bhe House gob once more into smooth water, and tbe appoinbmenb of Committees and other business on the order paper was. proceeded with and disposed of, before the adjournment for dinner, the Premier made reference to the news that.had been received by cable of the ASSASSINATION OF CARNOT, President of tbe French Republic He expressed the amazement and horror with which everyone had heard of the dastardly outride by which a 'man honoured and beloved by the. people of Fiance, and respected all the world over, had been removed trom bhe position he had so ably filled, and, in conclusion, he moved "That a respectful addross be presented to His Excellency tbe Governor, asking him to convey to the French Republic, thrdngh the Home Secretary, the expression of bhe colony's and bhe House's deep sympathy wibh bhe French nation." Capbain Russell seconded bhe resolution. He referred to the position which Ffehee and England bad together occupied in the vanguard Of civilisation. He spoke of " that Carnot, grandfather of the dead President, who played an important part during the French Revolution," and concluded wibh tbo belief that the wholo of Europe would rise and put down with merciless hand those ruthless assassins who disgraced the sacred cause of liberty. THE ADDRESS-INREPLY. When the House resumed, Mr Montgomery, the new member for EUesmere, rose to move the Address-in-Reply. He is a tall, dark, and decidedly handsome young man, and wears his dress clothes with mnch more than the averago amount of care. His confidence was marked, and his whole manner waß singularly at variance with the expressions of diffidence with which he opened his speech. He boomed out his first sentences with greab clearness, and bhe applause which greeted his Haibg was frequently repeated as he proceeded, touching on various opinions or questions in the Governor's speech. But Mr, Montgomery did nob follow slavishly on the lines of that address, and branched off into various matters, which could only be very indirectly connected wibh the sub- | jecb matber of His Excellency's speech. His views on the effect of the granting of the franchise bo women, on the encouragement and developmenb of the industries of the colony, on bhe labour legislation of bhe colony, are all those of an advanced Liberal and a patriotic New Zealander. The settlement of bbc land, in which bhe Governmenb has chiefly distinguished itself in Mr Montgomery's opinion, came in for particular notice from the new member. He gave unqualified approval of the Cheviob estate purchase, and of the Government intention to give cheap money to farmers. A stinted eulogy of bhe intentions of tbe Governmenb to secure. private ladds where and when necessary, flowed trom the lips of the yeung speaker in easy, periods, bub he declared himself emphatically on bbc necessity of paying full valne for value received. When bhis represenbabive of Canterbury got on the.land .settlement question, he lingered long there. It waa clearly the subject on which he waa mosb ab home, and which he considered inoßt important to New Zealand. Ib cannot be said that he gave expression to any new ideas, bub ib is by no means easy to be original on a matter which has formed the text of so many speeches, and we do not look for novelby on such occasions. If, however, the things which the member for EUesmere said were, old, they were, good and true alse, and one cannot have too much of such things! No one could doubb that he was convinced of whab he said, and bbc hope with which he closed his speech—the hope that he would see tbe colony bbc mosb prosperous in the Southern hemisphere—was a sincere expression of sentiment which should pervade every representative independent of parby.

THE OF THE ADDRESS

-".■:, uoinbdr for Inangahua, MrO'Regan, who seconded tha Addreas-in-Reply, bears considerable resemblance to Mr Montgomery. He is tall, be is dark, he is young, and he is fluenb. Somewhat more rustic than obherwise, he has a more robust physique, a more aggressive manner, and a more self-confident air. Both gentlemen are not ab ali likely to hide bheir lights under a bushel, and we are likely to hear their voices many times during the coming weeks, but, if we are not mistaken, Mr O'Regan will probably be more in evidence than his companion of last nighb. Mr O'Regan gave the same supporb and praise to bhe Governmenb measures as his predecessor had done, bub he was inclined bo offer hie own opinion when ib mighb differ slightly from that of the Government with leas hesitation than Mr Montgomery displayed. On the labour quesbion he was perhaps more -forcible than ab any Other parb of his speech, believing bhab the causes of the unemployed difficulty lay much deeper than had been touched by the co-operative works scheme, and that, in a country like this, every man willing and able to work should have nob bhe slightest difficulty in earning a livelihood. Like his predecessor, he was frequently applauded during his speech and at bhe conclusion of ib, bnb ib was also evidenb bhab bhe House was tickled ab the absolute self-confidence of a young man who waa addressing them for the firsb time. Captain Russell did not foil to make jocular allusion to this characteristic of Mr O'Kegan. The Leader of the Opposition, as we may call him, referred in very complimentary terms to the speech of the new member for EUesmere, reminding the House of the distintinguished and cultured gentleman who represented bhat scab in bhe former Parliamenb. Before he had seen Mr Monbgomery, he had, with others, been curious bo know whab manner of man ib was who had come to take the place occupied by his colleague, the Hon. Wm. Rolleston. He could say for his own part, and would ventute to say for the resb of the House, that all bad been mosb agreeably surprised by the new member', and extended him a most cordial welcome. Turning xhen towards Mr O'Regan, Captain Ruaeell, a "hid great laughter, said that when W had first read the nametjf the | secehtWif of the address be knew the couu-

try he camefrom. He did not an ticipate bhab he would be diffident in addressing the House. Tbe Captain, however, took away from bhe pain hia clever remark mighb have caused by paying a marked compliment to bbc fluency of the seconder of the address. POLICY OF THE RUSSELL/ PAftTY.

Leaving this matter of courtesy, Captain Russell gave whab the House mighb have understood to be a declaration of the policy which he had decided to adopt. He told the House thab he was nob there to oppose the Governmenb, bub merely to briticise bheir actions. He ' suggested thab bhe Government and the Opposition mighb work in harmony, bhe former finding rough diamonds, and the Opposition, like skilled lapidaries, polishing them for the breaeb of New Zealand. It soon became evident, however, bhat Captain Russell's professions pf amity were more jocular than real, and that be did hob mean thab all he said should be baken literally, and, before he had gone very far, the Leader of the Opposition dropped any disguise, and settled down inbo a sharp and persistent, attack on bbc Governmenb, which was so Cleverly expressed bhab members on bhe right, and the very Minister againsb whom his sharp sallies were directed, joined in the general laughter. The opinion in bhe gallery was bbab the Capbain had nevor, on any former occasion,shown such acute hostility towards the Governmenb. His comparisons of Mr Seddon and his secretaries to the Roman Praetor wibh his lectors ; of co-operative labourers to the Praetorian Guards, and much in the same airy strain, were so funny that bbc Honse laughed without troubling itself very much about the applicability of the comparisons. Altogether Captain Ruasell, as leader of tbe remnanb on bhe lefb, displayed an amounb of wib and sharps nesß thab gives promise of much more entertaining copy from tbab quarter of the House than we have been accustomed to. Besides the amusement ib created it did bhe House a real service by calling forth from

THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION a speech in tbab gentleman's best style. Mr Reeves opened capitally by complimenting Captain Russell on tho presence of airy jocosity in bis speech, which had been absent for so many years from tho benches opposite. One by one he took the Captain's points, and turned them into ridicule. This jocularity was even more pronounced than that of the Opposition leader, bhe laughing laugh Of one who feels he is on bhe winning Bide. As he proceeded he warmed to his aubjOcb, and, with bhe fluency for which he is remarkable, poured oub his vocables in one continuous strain on Captain Russell, and dissolved that gentleman's elaborate fallacies, cut bis financial criticism of the Government, and laughed to scorn his baleful prognostication. Tbe manner in which all the evils mankind may suffer from had been attributed to Governmenb legislation by tbe ingenious members of bhe Opposition, was playfully exaggerabed by the Minister for Educabion till the House smiled all round. He saw that when he had read that morning of the assassination of Presidenb Carnob, he had fully expecbed bbab tho Governmenb would in some Mysterious way be made responsible for bhe dastardly deed. He was quite prepared to hear thab the Governmenb had senb secret agents to smear the trees in India, thab they were in the bottom of the silver crises, and of the coal crises in England. But, bowards the conclusion of his speech, be dropped fun, and dispensed with satire, and spoke earnestly of the greab social problems ot bhe day, which had been so longandcarefully sbudied by able men wibhoub any result. Referring to some remarks of bhe member for Inangahua, bhe Minister for Labour expressed himself as only too conscious of the inadequacy of the means which had been bried -to solve the great unemployed question, but he pointed oub bhab the Governmenb had faced tbe difficulty in this country, and were doing all bhey could bo deal effectively with ib. In bhe abolibion of tthe presenb capitalistic system, he seemed to see.the .only .solution ..of^bhe industrial crisis which now shakes tfie world, and be did nob believe thab any one country could pub an end bo the presenb troubles. It would require bhe united action of all nations. When Mr Reeves concluded, amid loud cheers, Mr Pirani THE YOUNG MEMBER FOR PALMERSTON got on hiß feet. Ib was more for bhe purpose of controverting certain statements which Captain Russell had made in bhe course of his speech than from a desire to leb loose his ideas on the House thab he rose. He mosb effectively performed tbo chief parb of his mission, having in his possession certain documentary evidence which the Leader of tbe Opposition had seemingly known nothing of. The brief remarks he made on the Address from the Throne were listened to with abtention. His declaration bhab he would like to see the Vaile system applied in the interests of country settlers, met with an unexpected chorus of "Hear, hear." Young Pirani finished close on half-past ten, and the supper adjournment was taken. When the House resumed, Mr Duthie continued the attack on the Government which Captain Russell had inaugurated. Mr Duthie, however, does not possess humour, nor is he gifted with much eloquence, and he did not abtracb very much attention.

LONG AND WEARISOME did Duthie prove, and more bitter as he proceeded. Unfortunately his invective had none of the wit associated with it that disbinguisbed Capbain Russell's attack, and even members of bhe Opposition began bo tire of it. Frequent glances were easb bowards the clock, and the occupants of proas gallery began to ask themselves if bhis was bo be a case On the firsb nights of the session, what would the latter days prove. Jnst when ib was becoming very doubtful whether some other member mighb not arise when Mr Duthie sat down, tbe latter concluded his speech, and Capt. Russell moved tbe adjournment of the House at 10 minutes to one. The debate will be resumed to-day, and it is expected that many other members will take the opportunity of expressing their views on the legislation of bhe colony generally which is offered them ab this early stage of tho session.

BOTES FROiyi THE GALLERY

J„V TELEBRAPH.-PARLIAMENTARY BE KJBTER.)

\Tellington, bhis day. „ 0N PUBLIC SERVICE ONLY." r « P *a thab several members have been J HO me incoavenience through bheir corto ■ _w» addressine lebbers bo bhem un•SSS td markeT" On Public Service «' Se corresponde.bs are evidenbly Sfc the impression thab all COmmumcaSoTfnm themselves bo members at Partions iruu* conrse, is not bhe ffihamCber receives having bo be pa.d by him with fine added. OLD SOLDIERS' CLAIMS. Tn reDlving to Mr E. M. Smith, who JSdaqSon re the final settlement of Sf claims under the Naval* "^Military SXs and'Volnnteers Acb, the Hon. Mr £n explained that bhe Mmtar- of had bee- so numerous bhab ib had Seen possible to examine inbo bhem all. The' total value of cerbiticabes already Sited was £44,006, while there n were ffflO fresh Cairns, representing £56.000, bo ifdeaU with, and further claim- wee nnmine in ab bhe rate of ten a week, lhese S are being scheduled as quickly as Sle and when this work is completed Ec Government will inform the House Wha legislation then ™ay be propped to King forward for dealing fanally with old loldiers' claims. PUBLICATION OF DEBATES. Mr George Hutchison took occasion yesterday afternoon, in connection to movei for theappointmenbof a printing and debates CommStee to bring up the old subject of Bansard reform. Mr Hutchison is of opinion, as also are many others, bhab^ there .hould oe issued bwo copies of debates, one i„ tbe usual way, tho other in h™** sheet published every morning■ wiiki the contents of the previous day's debates in the House. This second publication, he Wggests, should be contracted and pub in s popular form that will; make it welcome on every breakfast table With all due deference to members of our Legislature, I hardly think it would b 6 easy to make such a publication either instructive or interesting, even if^it could be done. Major Steward was of opinion that the matter of Hansard reform is fraught with greab difficulty and requires to be gone aboub very carefully, while the Minister of Education threw cold water on the proposal for a daily Hansard. "Heaven defend me from an undevised report," exclaimed Mr Reeves. It, was bad enough to be condemned for what one did say, but to be condemned for whab one did nob say was " infinitely worse. Speaking as one who had had some experience of Parliamentary reporting, he bold bhe House bow difficult ib very olten was to catch a speaker's words, and how liable a reporter was to make a mistake, aad how very difficult ib would be to have such morning reports as Mr Hutchison advocated presented in any satisfactory state. Looking towards Mr Hutchison, the Minister said, with a sly allusion to the careful preparation that George gives hia speeches when be can, that he sboukj be tbe last to wish for unreviaed speeches. VARIOUS WANTS. The following petitions were laid before the House yesterday :— Petition from Chas. McEwen Cameron, of Auckland, praying thab inquiry be made into certain transactions between himself and the New Zealand Government as to the right of the Government to havo the disposal of certain land; another from Jas. Cloghorn, Wm. Forresb. and Jas. Magea, conbracbors, Auckland, praying thab they may _be granted redress for certain reductions which tbey v<ere subjected to in connection wibh the construction of the Mangaonoho section of the North Island trunk railway ; others from Wm. Cooper Heighway and Roberb Libble ; Pabrick Quinn, of Drury ; Patrick Whelan Day, of bhe Auckland Survey Club ; John Smith, of Auckland ; Jas Beaton, Auckland, labe ot Gisborne ; William Humphreys, Auckland. Mr Button has presented a petition from Professor Aldis praying the House to take his case into cansideration. THE CLOSURE. The debate on amendment of the Standing Orders is to be taken on Wednesday next. I have reason to believe that, in order to meet objections which havo been urged against a rigid application of the closure, a modification of rule 92 B will be adopted. Thab rule, which proposes to give a two-thirds majority power to close a debate if not less than ten members call for division, will probably be struck out, and one substituted fixing a reasonable, time limit to the length of speeches, PATENTS, DESIGNS, AND TRADE MARKS. The annual reporb on pabents, designs and trade marks laid on the table of the House bo-day is an interesting documenb, and shows progressive development of these classes of business. The total applications for 1893 numbered 951, againsb 906 in the previous year. Last year's applications tor patents alone wero from residents in different countries as follows : —New Zealand, 396 ; Victoria, 65 ; United Kingdom, 53 ; United States, 39 ; New South Wales, 32; Queensland, 11; Germany, 10; South Australia, 6 ; Canada, 4; Sweden, 3; France and Tasmania, 2 each; Denmark, Norway, Holland, Italy and India, one each. Tho revenue derived from these sources continues to increase, having been £2,150 lasb year, againsb £1,825 in 1892. Of bhis patents yielded £1,764 Is 6d, and trade mark fees £382 3s 6d. The excess of receipts over expenditure latt year was £1,753, againßb £1,463 in 1892. THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP. I understand that if Major Steward withdraws from the contest, Mr Joyce will leave the field free for Mr Guinness. The probability now is thab Major Sbeward will not come forward, as a canvass made on his behalf has not proved very successful. REVISION OF THE TAB IFF. The strong desire manifested by members'of the labour party in and oub of Parliamenb for reform of the tariff in the direction of increased protection to local industries, has nob been ignored by tho Government, and bhe resulb is a motion on the Order Paper for tho appoinbmenb of a Select Committee to thoroughly examine into the existing Customs and excise duties, in order to ascertain what changes, if any, are expedient or necessary. Ib is nob likely that any conclusions tho .Committee may arrive ab favourable to a change in the tariff will be embodied in any legislation this session. The mover for the Committee is the Hon. Mr Ward. JOTTINGS. Dr. Newman's Pharmacy Bill proposes thab in fubure no chemist shall be allowed to dispense prescriptions unless he bas obtained the certificate of the Pharmaceutical Society.

Mr Guinness is inbroducing a Bill to amend tho Criminal Code Acb by providing bhat the Scotbish verdict of " nob proven" may be permitted in criminal cases.

Ib is believed bhab a majority of membars ot the House, including Sir Robert Stoub, aro in favour of return to State control of the railways, by giving a Minister a eeab on the Railway Board. The Government Railway

Bill is, therefore, cerbain bo pass the Lower House this session. The question of Committee reporting is still a source of brouble. Mr Mitchell, the only Commibbee reporter whose services were retained, has been informed tbab bis salary is bo be £150 a year, and thab for bhis sum his services during bhe recess are to be ab bhe disposal of the Governmenb. Mr Mikeboll considers bhis insufficient, and will probably decline appoinbmenb on these terms. The Shearers' Accommodation Bill, which Major Sbeward has iutrdduced, will be superseded by a provision in bhe Factories Acb Amendmenb Bill of the Minister for Labour. The labter measure, which is consolidating as well aa amending in ibs character, will fully meet the requirements of shearers. Mr Pirani intends to ask bhe Minister of Lands bo consider the advisability of embodying in any Bill amending bhe Land Acb a provision enabling the holder of a perpobual lease, or lease in perpetuity section, of large area, to subdivide the section Whoa transferring to his relatives. The same gentleman wishes the Colonial Treasurer to assist local bodies bo bear the cosb of licensing elections, and the Minister of Labour to • include a provision in any amendmenb bo bhe Facbories Acb prohibiting girls being employed to sell newspapers in the streets after dark. Mr E. M. Smith wishes bhe Government bo abolish all School- Commissioners, and appoinb bhe Land Boards of the colony to administer all Crown lands. A Bill to veab a reserve ab Epsom in the Auckland Jubilee Institute for the Blind, was given notice of by Mr Lawry, on behalf of Sir Maurice O'Rorko. Mr McGuire has an Importation or Manufacture of Intoxicating Liquors Prohibition Bill on bhe stocks. Mr G. W. Russell, of Riccarbon'/desireß the Governmenb during the presenb session bo introduce legislation bo enable one or more Sbate coal mines bo be opened and worked. Iv a question which he intends bo ask bhe Premier on Thursday, Major Sbeward will poinb oub to bhe Governmenb thab many of bhose who voted ab bhe lasb general elecbion have been struck erf the rolls owing, it is believed, to a faulty method of marking names of the voters, and he desires the Governmenb bo take steps for amendment of the Electoral Acb in such a way as to provide for a more satisfactory method of marking such names, and to provide for rendering it compulsory on Registrars to restore names which have been improperly struck off the rolls. The Premier Will move on 4th of next month, "That the House resolve itself inbo a Committee of the whole to consider tbe new Standing Orders." The abolition of bhe totalisator is agitated by Mr W. Hutchison, in a question which be has set down fer Thursday woek. The Hon. Mr Mibchelson, and Mr R. Thompson, of Marsden, arrived in Wellington lasb night, and were duly sworn in at the House. The member for Buller considers that it necessary, in tbe best interests of tbe colony, that an imporb duty should be placed on all coals imported into New Zealand. The Petitions Committee, A. to L., met this morning, and appointed Mr Joyce Chairman. The Governmenb has promised Major Harris that the claims of Howick in the matter of a wharf will be most carefuliy considered when public works estimates are being prepared. Tbe Governmenb has made provision for landless natives in Marlborough province by giving bhem sections of land. Mr Shera will rejoice bo hear that tbe Government has given consideration to the question of establishing an inebriate home for the colony. , As no applications have been received for the bonuses recommended by bhe Industries and Manufacturers Commibbee of last session and approved of by the House and Governmenb, none of these bonuses have been awarded. Yesterday afternoon, tbe Premier, in asking bhe House bhab a month's leave of absence bo granted to Sir George Grey, said he was sure that bhe whole colony would endorse tho congratulatory expressions embodied in the telogram which the Government had despatched bo Sir George on hi>» elevation bo the Privy Council. No one, he said, was more worthy of honour bban Sir George.