LATE PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 196, 19 August 1899, Page 5

LATE PARLIAMENTARY.

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. THE AUCKLAND EMPOWERING bill. ; During last night and this morning j Mr W. J. Napier has been interviewing Ministers and members in reference to the Auckland Empowering Bill, which is in charge of the Hon. Mr Cadman. Mr Napier had a long conversation with him last night, and with the Hon. Hall-Jones, the Premier and others. The Local Bills Committee has fixed Monday morning at 10.30 for Mr Napier to address them on the merits of the Bill, and he hopes to secure a favourable report, and if so, the Bill will go through the House without any obstacle. MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE AMENDMENT BILL. Mr C. J. Parr, president of the Auckland Ratepayers' Association, wires Mr Napier, on behalf of the Association, to urge Ministers to push on the Municipal Franchise Reform Bill before the thirtieth of this month, in order to enable a large number of ratepayers in Auckland to become enrolled cm the burgess list in time for the September elections in Auckland. Last night and this morning Mr Napier saw Ministers in reference to this and also several ( members, but owing'-to .Jhe financial debate being so "prolonged, there is little hope the • Bill will get through h* time, though a promise has been obtained that it

shall be taken as soon as the debate finishes. Mr Napier expected to return to Auckland by Monday morning's train, but an appointment with the Local Bills Committee will prevent his departure until Wednesday.

OPPOSITION POLICY

WELLINGTON, this day

The suspicious quietude of the Opposition suggests the possibility of their having another card up their sleeve to be played at the conclusion of the financial debate. It is believed in well-informed circles that the Opposition tactics are to obstruct all the Government measures with a view to platform speeches at the general election, accusing the Ministry of being, in spite of their majority, too weak to carry their measures. Some northern members would be prepared to support a larger borrowing whichever side of the House it emanated from, but the majority of Canterbury members are opposed to it, their wants being already well supplied in the matter of railway communication.