PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 68, 15 July 1896, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. [By TKU;<;kapii.[ ' i'roni <>ur Sjin-ud < "nrr, xjnindt-nt. > Wklmscotux, this day. In the Council yesterday afternoon the Coroners Bill and the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill -.Yd"- read a third time and passed. In Committee on the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill a debate arose as to extending the time from one to two month.s in which informations may be laid for offences against young girls. On a division, the clause was struck out by 21 to •), the minority being Hons Scotland, Kerr, Jenkinson, W. C. Walker, and Jennings. At a meeting of the Council's selection of the Banking Committee, the Hon Mr Stevens was chosen Chairman. and it was resolved to exclude the press. On the Council meeting subsequently, the Hon Mr Jenkinson desired without notice to move that the press representatives should be admitted to the proceedings of the Committee, but the lion Mr Stevens objected to this as a surprise, and asked that notice be given. At the same time the Hon Mr Shrimski stated that the Committee had lit a meeting that morning decided to admit the press reporters, the Hon Mr Stevens also pointing out that there was plenty of time before the practical work of the Committee commenced for the Council to debate the matter. The Hon. Mr Jenkinson thereupon gave notice for to-day. An incident, the outcome of the most recent trouble in the Cabinet, which took place on the floor of the House yesterday afternoon, is not calculated to strengthen the opinion that in Sir Maurice O'Rorkc we have a model speaker. As soon as the formal business was disposed of, the Premier rose to draw attention to the provocation which the Minister of Lands had received on Thursday, saying he felt sure had Mr Speaker been aware of that provocation—'not only because Sir "Walter Buller had circulated among members a pamphlet containing a false statement reflecting on Mr McKenzie, but of the calumny published by the Evening Post—he probably would not have been so severe. In an apologetic manner the Speaker said he was not aware of the extreme provocation of the Minister of Lands, and denied any desire to wound the susceptibilities of any member, adding, to the general surprise of the House, that he hoped the matter would be overlooked by the Minister of Lands. As soon as Sir Maurice had sat down the Minister of Lands rose to say that he invariably bowed to the ruling of the chair, and he accepted the statement that the Speaker did not desire to reflect on him. He had been provoked, and had thought he was quite justified in using the language he had used. The general feeling was that the Speaker had not added to his dignity by unbending in the manner he had, simply to appease the wrath of the Minister of Lands. Certainly the honor of the latter has been satisfied, but at the cost of the Speaker, which he may hereafter recognise. The" Premier gave notice to m#ve that Major "William Richardson (Napier), Dr. Giles (Auckland), ex-District Judge Weston (Canterbury), and Dr. John Hi slop (Ota-go), be appointed Commissioners for the North and South Islands under the Representation Bill. Government cannot see their way to make a further reduction in the railage charges for the carriage of frozen meat. The Premier says restrictive legislation will have to be passed if the influx of Austrians is causing injury to our own workers. The Gold Duties Act Amendment Bill passed its final stages. The Minister of Lands moved the secoixl reading of the Noxious Weeds Bill, to prevent the spread of noxious weeds and to enforce the trimqjing of hedges. After a lengthy debate, in which the principle of the measure was generally approved, the second reading was agreed to. The Poverty Bay Land and Deed Registration Districts Bill was read a second time ]•> » fnmm on the motion of the Hon J. Carroll, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The House last evening resolved itself into a Committee of Ways and

Means, when the Colonial Treasure' delivered his Financial State-runt. 11l the Estimates circu'atel la.- ; c cw 1 ig, £1 5,000 is set down for >!:■" i\q 1 es of the general election, for the cost of the Government Printing w:<ice inquiry, £SOO for the Wellington Industrial Exhibition, ±'6o.) compassionate allowance to the widow of the late Inspector J. B. Thompson, £I,OOO for Volunteer camp instruction, £2,000 for triennial expenses of the Government Insurance Department, and £16,000 cost of taking the census. The financial debate will begin on Tuesday, and be carried right on, to the exclusion of private members' business. In making his first Financial Statement, Mr Seddon attempted a new mh-—that of elocutionary reader—and failed altogether to rise to the occasion. His oratorical (lights repeatedly moved the House to roars of laughter, Mr Seddon's forced manner, and not the matter contained in the Budget, being the cause, thereof. At a meeting of the Banking Committee of the House of Representatives, Mr Graham informed members that the Legislative Council Committee would sit with the House Committee if the second clause of the order of reference" were expunged and the press excluded. Mr Seddon put his foot down, and the Committee unanimously agreed to reject such a proposal, and further resolved that the Council may represent corporations and individuals concerned in the inquiry, but may not address the Committee ; also that all relevant questions raised by counsel through the Chairman.