POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 149, 21 December 1897, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES.

THE END OF THE SESSION. The sessional slaughter took place yesterday afternoon, when of some 77 Bills on the Order Paper of the House of Representatives the Premier announced that all but a few would have to be dropped for the present session. The Bills to be proceeded with were the Lands, Reserves, and Endowments Exchange, Disposal and Enabling Bill, the Eight Hours Bill, the Kapiti Island Public Reserves Bill, the Lease and Sale of Settled Estates Act, 1865, Amendment Bill, and the Government Railways Classification Act Amendment Bill. Of- these it will be seen that the only two of any general importance are the Eight Hours Bill and the Amendment of the Railways Classification Bill, and the former was shelved later on in the evening. The session will end to-day. THE SECULAR EDUCATION QUESTION. Mr. Taylor boldly told the House yesterday that the peculiar wording of the Technical Schools Bill and the Victoria College Bill justified him in fearing that the Premier had entered into some compact to assiit the denominational schools. The Premier (threateningly)— You had better not make that statement. Mr. Taylor said he did not make the statement because he did not know, but that if he knew as much as the Premier on the subject he would make a statement definite enough. THE VICTORIA COLLEGE BILL. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in this Bill removing the limitation confining the scholarships to the Wellington district came before the House yesterday, when the Speaker pointed out that the amendments encroached upon the privileges of the House. The Premier, in consequence, moved that the attention of the Council be drawn to this. Mr. Montgomery, as an amendment, moved that the House, while declaring that the amendments made by the Council were a breach of its privileges, agreed to waive those privileges on this occasion, and agreed to the amendments of the Council. This led to a warm debate, during which the Premier said he would sooner drop the Bill than have the privileges of the House infringed. Eventually Mr. Montgomery's amendment was lost by 26 to 23 votes. The decision of the House was forwarded to the Council, which decided to adhere to its amendments. On the House being satisfied of the fact the Speaker said the customary course would be to lay the measure aside. The Premier, however, said he was anxious to see the Bill passed, and thought they might on this occasion waive the question of privilege and hold a conference with the Council with the view to coming to a compromise. He moved to this effect, and the motion was carried. THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION BILL. In announcing to the House yesterday the Bills to be proceeded with this session, the Premier mentioned the Technical Education Bill, which, he said, had caused much debate, but probably, as some time had Bince elapsed, members would now agree to it passing. (Cries of " Oh !") However, he was quite prepared himself that the Bill Bhould be made only to apply to colleges and secondary -schools — (cries of " No") — and that all other schools must be recommended by the Education Boards of the colony. (A member — No colleges.) The Premier (smiling) said there seemed to be a slight difference of opinion, and sufficient to indicate that if the Bill again came forward this session there would be further debate. But he wished to point out to the members for Ashley (Mr. Meredith), Christchurch (Mr. Taylor), and Ellesmere (Mr. Montgomery) that there was no danger. He did not see why they should oppose.the Bill, seeing that air Walter Buller and Major Kemp would not now be able to appear at the Bar of the House. Mr. Pirani — " Is that why you delayed it ? " To this query there came no reply. THE CHARGES AGAINST JUDGE KETTLE. The Premier, in answer to Mr. Rolleston, told the House last evening that Ministers would to-day decide whether there should be an enquiry into the case of District Judge Kettle. They had received an answer from Mr. Barns, in reply to a communication from the Government, and if they decided to hold an enquiry they would not lay the correspondence on the table. If not they would place it before members.