POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 181, 11 August 1888, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

STONEWALLING THE NATIVE BILL. SYDNEY’S ELEMENT—JAW. AN APPEAL TO THE SUPREME BEING' A COLORED REES. [from our own correspondent.] Wellington, last night. ■ Yesterday afternoon the irrepressible Syd* ney Taiwhanga started to stonewall the Native Bills, and launched out into a veh' cent tirade in Maori against Europeans in gt eral and the Government in particular, and in spite of interruptions, kept steadily on till 5.30. At 7. 30 Grey gave Sydney a spell, but the dusky warrior was on his feet again at eight. The debate continued without a break from 7.30 p.m. yesterday till 2,30 this afternoon, Reeves, Taylor, and Taipua relieving the indefatigable little native, who has already spoken, in the aggregate, 12| hours, and has announced his intention of going on till the Supreme Being takes away his breath. The Premier refused to allow adjournments for breakfast and luncheon to-day, in the hope of "starving them out.” Taiwhanga is much exhausted, and most of the members are lying asleep on the benches. It is not anticipated that the stonewallers will give in before midnight. The Defence Minister is at the present time considering proposals for the reorganisation of the volunteer force, and expects to bring down his scheme for that purpose early next session. He intends to have the capitation allowance increased to as near the amount from which it was recently reduced as financial exigencies will permit. The Auckland members are urging the Government to modify the San Francisco mail proposals, with a view to the renewal of the contract being insured. The voting on the question is likely to be very close.