POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3776, 22 August 1883, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[BY TELEO.RAI-H.J fnioji out. oav.v corhesroxdext.] A\ r Ei.LixoTO.v, Tuesday. The Cabinet sat yesterday to consider Avhat bills must necessarily be sacrificed so as to admit of the session being brought promptly to a close. There are on the notice paper no fewer than 70 different bills in various stages in the Assembly, and of course a number of them Avill have to bo promptly consigned to the Avaste paper basket, so as the others may be expedited and have a chance of becoming law. The General Assembly 3lembcrs Expenses Bill is sure to give rise to a long debate Avhen it makes its appearance somo day this week, as several of the Radical section threaten opposition to the paying of any salaries to the members of the Council.

3lr Dargaville moves that a select committee be appointed to inquire into the circumstances connected with an alleged payment by the Bank of Ncav Zealand of a sum of XI 0,000 or thereabouts to 3les,srs AVhitaker and Russell, or cither of them, in connection Avith the financial operations of the Government in or about the year 1807, such committee to consist of the Hon. Alajor Atkinson, Hon. 3lr AY. AY. Johnston, 31'r 3[ontgonierv, 3lr AVvnnAVilliums, 3lr Barron, 31 r Fulton," 31 r 3lacandreAv, 3Er Turnbull, and the mover, to have power to send for persons and papers, five fo be the quorum, and to report to the House Avithin a fortnight; should that be carried it Avill somewhat delay matters.

The 3linistry .seemed inclined to drop everything Avhen the Cabinet sat on 31011----day, but Avhat avus done has not leaked out. A " round robin " was presented from a large number of members offering to give up Wednesday so as to expedite business, and the Government have now annexed the next two AVednesdays in consequence. This day. Judge Richmond Avas very severe on the metropolitan press to-day. On the jury list being called to-day there Avas no appearance Avhen the name of a AveU-knoAvn parliamentary reporter avjis called. His avocation Avas then described. His Honor asked if fie Avas a member of the Hansard stall. 3lr lid wards, solicitor, said, " more important; n reporter for the Post. His Honor remarked that he Avas sorry for the country, and especially for 3lr Edwards, if he considered the curt scraps they got in the metropolitan press parliamentary reporting. They Avere nothing but penny advertising sheets. The "round robin" to Avhich I referred yesterday Avas freely seen in the division on the motion that the Government business should have precedence on AVednesdays. The Government majority on this question was very large. lam inclined to think the great Dargaville episode is going to go liko a rocket. Tho light so far has been brilliant : it has been going up ; it is iioav getting dim, and presently, when the rocket Avill come down, there Avilf be a great darkness. I should not be at all surprised to hear that the committee do nothing, and that everything ends in a fiasco. Good progress Avas made last night with tho Native Land Bill in the Assembly. [ should not be astonished to hear that it Avas crucified iv the Council. "The Council has been in the past tho salvation of the country," avus tho exclamation this morning of a, great Radical. I don't think the session is over yet, take my tip for that, though what the development Avill be I know not.

Thero is a growing feeling among the Southern members that the seat of government should be near Christchurch. How will that suit Dunedin ? lam afraid that horso won't goo. Local jealousies will aiAvaA'S suit AVellington. Government business Avill probably take Jill to-day.