GOVERNMENT CAUCUS.

Evening Star, Issue 11696, 30 September 1902, Page 4

GOVERNMENT CAUCUS.

At the caucus of the .Government party this forenoon thirty-two members, exclusive of four Ministers, were present. " The-Act-ing-Premier at the meeting fif the party that it would be the last of the S resent Parliament, and the Government esired to ascertain what measures should be proceeded with. The Order Paper was considered, and the first seven Bills, being local, were allowed to remain. With regard to the Public Works BllL members who objected to some of its provisions were advised to confer with the Minister bdore it went into committee. The majority favored dropping the Bill, bat it was decided to allow it to go into committee. The following measures are to be abandoned: —Land for Settlements Amendment. Crown Tenants' Bent Rebate, Orchard and Garden Pests,' Destitute Persons Act Amendment, Tenants' Bights, Toting Persons' Protection, Shops and Offices, Medical Practitioners, legitimisatiorf Act, Electric Lines, Contempt of Court, Absolute Majority Vote Bills. The Transport Commission's report, it was unanimously decided, should not be debated, the Government Undertaking to forward it to the Imperial authorities, together with their own observations.—Sir J. G. Ward conveyed to the party-the apreciation by the Government of the excellent feeling that had, prevailed and the felicitous way in which the work of the session had bsen conducted. He also, in most complimentary terms, referred to the good services of the junior whip (Mr Oarncross), who was leaving the House, in which he had done' valuable work for years. —Major Steward, who wore a blushing camellia, amidst roars of laughter, described himself as the " longest member of the party," and congratulated Ministers generally on their management of the business.—Mr Lawry followed in a similar strain, referring especially to the Hon. Mr CarroQ, who, he said, had completely settled the'native difficulty. —Others expressed a wish' that Mr Carncross would be called to tie CounciL—Mr Caxncross, who received an ovation, warmly thanked members for their compliment, and said he would always look back on his parliamentary life with pleasure.—Mr Stevens, his brother whip, invited members to attend presentations that he intended to make to bis colleague.—Some discussion took place on the subject of public works. The Acting-Premier informed members that the finances of the colony were iti a particularly sound condition, and amidst warm greetings and hearty cheers the party dispersed.—lt was announced that the time usually devoted to a Mock Parliament would be utilised in answering questions, if which 134 are on the Order Paper.—-Tn referring to the financial position of colony the Acting-Premier' gave the party an assurance of the fact that aU the requirements of the colony were provided for for some time to come. He also expressed the opinion that & considerable portion of the last loan should be floated m the colony, and congratulated members on the fact that they weTe to a very large extent independent of the London money market. Sir J. G. WaTd also referred to the question of the Midland Railway debenture-holders, and said it was possible that tbis session a proposal would be submitted to Parliament io enable a settlement to be carried out which would be alike satisfactory to the deben-ture-holders and fhe honor of the colony.