Parliamentary Notes.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 63, 23 September 1875, Page 5

Parliamentary Notes.

Every body knows that the Government tatt • -, the haVe'oome to terms. The Act is to oome into operation, on the day foUowirifc 'Sfce. dose of the next session.. , This will give theVsiv Parliament the opportunity of expressing an opinion on the Act, and either repealing or modifying it in such.way^as may seem desirable.* Th« arrangement however is not satisfactory in ona respect. Once the Act js on the Statute Book ' the Legislative Council equally with the Housa of Representatives must be parties to its repealor modification. It is well known that no dtfAcuity will-be experienced in getting the Bjll through the Legislative Counoil. As this is the case, there is not much chance of getting the AcG v repealed or modified, except in, <BOrne important detail, unless a large majority of -the new Parliament express an opinion adverse to it. In this latter case the Legislative Council miglitgive way; but even then the; chances are th*t wey - would not. It is generally admitted thaithsi' terms are extremely favorable to the Opposition, much more so. than they had any reason to expect they would obtain, especially as they Were ' so numerically small. Haa, the Opposition 808 , shown a very determined front they would not; have received so favorable terms. They had resolved to speak against time until they had accomplished their object. It is well known that there win great speaking power in the Opposition. The Government party, though stronger than the Opposition in rejfard to numbers, were) far weaker In this respect. When it became known that the Government intended to push the Bill without granting the usual adjournment, the Opposition niet,and . arrayed themselves into three relays or watches. Had terms not been arranged, they would have gone on opposing the Bill any length of time. Mr Stafford broadly . hmted that with the view of \ preventing this ft would: be necessary/ to take , steps to alter the Standing , Orders. Perhaps he meant that they should he so changed as to prevent members speaking moie than once in Committee, or perhaps he meant that the time allowed to any one ' member should be limited; Mr Stafford has not risen in public estimation by. this threat. -Perhaps also the very -weapons manufactured by him might by-and-by have bt en used against himself. Mr Stafford has been playing a curious game fliis session— a game which has alienated from him all his old supporters. The Government were anxious to receive the support of the Opposition to their proposal of preventing, the Provincial Councils meeting, till the the new Parliament has had nn opportunity bf expressing ani opinion on the Bill. This however the Opposition would , not submit to. Rather than do this they were ' resolved to fight the battle but. It is understood that the Government intend to introduce clauses preventing the Councils from' meeting in tho , meantime. It is very doubtful however whether they .will sneceed in . carrying those clauses* because several of their, own supporters are opposed to them. They are very shortsighted in this proposal. It can only have the effect of bringing down upon them almost all the members of the Provincial Councils,: the greater number of whom are men of influence in the^r own districts. ' -'