PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 230, 26 September 1903, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(By Telegraph—-Parliamentary Report

WELLINGTON, this day. ' IMPREST SUPPLY. The Imprest Supply Bill, which oceiipied nearly ton hours in its passage through the House yesterday, was passed through ail stages in the Legislative Council this morning in three minutes, WELLINGTON, Friday. "PENNY POINTS." ' A sharp passage at arms occurred between Mr Taylor and Mr Lewis diir, ing the debate on the Want of Gonfl. deuce motion. Mr Lewis twitted M P Taylor with talking when the galleries were full, and leaving the House early each evening, instead of remaining until the early hours of the morning, vjieij the greater part of the business was transacted. Mr Taylor retorted that it was better to be at home than play, ing cards till four in the morning, jfr Lewis replied that he was always oa hand when wanted, even if he did in. dulgei in an occasional game of cards, Mr Lewis admitted his guilt to the extent of penny points, and added that he was not afraid of the country know, ing about it. Mr Taylor, who evidently; deeply resented the "showing up" he received, warned Mr Lewis to "go slow," an admonition which did not seem, to greatly affect the Opposition Whip. COMMITTEE REPORTS. Mr Witfceford has given notice to ask the Premier to recommit the Standing Orders, with a view of abolishing No; 229, which makes confidential .the reports and papers of Select Committees, and closes them to the presrs. TALKING STATISTICS. . During the debate ou the Imprest Supply Bill, Mr Buchanan, referring to the Premier's assertions that time was being wasted, stated that in the first number of Hansard the total space occupied by Ministers and members wa* ; . 15,928 inches, as against 6418 inches by; the Opposition. members. This was a' complete refutation of the Premier's charge. The Premier himself tilled 2549 inches, against 4151 by the seveU chief speakers of the Opposition. The Opposition had never obstructed, nor would it do so, unless the Ministry; sought to go to unreasonable and improper lengths, and to drive the House beyond fair limits. . , TROOPERS' PAYMENTS. Mr Witheford is to ask the Minister of Defence whether he will instruot the Defence Department to prepare and lay before the House a list of all amounts due to troopers, and also advise the men of amounts due to them, EDUCATION BOARD GRANTS. Mr Baume read a document in'the House which showed that the Auckland , Board had over-spent its .building fund to the extent of £300, and yet thej Were told they must not increase their; building grant to meet this. The Wellington Board had done this to a larger, extent, and the Wangajmi Board, ■ lies', intended to ask the House for a votes which would treait the Boards fairly, but if they chose to deliberately overspend they must bear the consequences, AN OPPOSITION REVENGE. The debate which' arose on the third reading' of the Imprest Supply Bill, after the "No-Confidence" motion had! been disposed of, was genuine in tlie early stages, but when a couple of Hours . had been put in, and the suppir adjouiramenit was readied, the 0p« .position dteiteirmdmed to "get hack , ' on the Premier for keeping itfliem up until 7.30 a.in. (the previous week end, afiber promising * reiasomiaMeend. To this effect,«, stonewall was seC up, and was maintained until, midnight, after which no ■ new business could be taken. The Premie? chafed under the delay, and , urged members to get on with the Estimates, but to no purpose.' Every subject under the sun, from Dan to Beersheebajwas, discussed, several members taking the opportunity to deliver themselves ol , speeches prepared for the Financial Debate. Others brought up local griev* anees, and others again criticised the general administration of the Government, the Education Department coining in for particular attention. . The floodgates of eloquence, once open, were difficult to. close, and after midnight the debate continued, several Government members taking a hand. MUTUAL FIRE BILL. 'A sfcnoaig diap'U/tiatiom of anembers will wault ©in Mr Sekkkwi on Monday to request ithaifc the Mutual Fire Bill should be taken up by tlie Government. THE PETITIONS COMMITTEE. .v. The Petitions Oonianintee will repwt as to the Newttrnvn licensing petition thialfc <tihe law couilid 'advantageously 'be ' alltered ifco give effect to tihe wall of the people. A stormy debaite fe likely to follow on its ipxeeentaition. . • : CHIPS. "A Scotch terrier does not jump to his . feet when you say 'Rats' as quickly ad the Premier does when you say 'Precedence.' If you mentioned the word'at his funeral you would find that he was not dead."—Ml , Taylor. Mr Taylor warmly attacked the Defence Department, using the Fisher case as the peg to hang his remarks up0n.,,..