PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 75, 23 July 1896, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. [By Telegraph.] f From our Serial i ''•rrfsjwli'nt. / Welt.ington. this day. Three weeks' extension of time has been granted to the Banking Committee in which to report. Never was the adage " Tis the unexpected in politics that happens" more truly exemplified than yesterday afternoon, when the financial debate was entered on. On Tuesday night it was expected to last the better part of a fortnight, and many members went out to the races at the Hutt never doubting that the debate would drag its way wearily along. Mr Buddo took up the running at a quarter to three, and when he sat down no one seemed prepared to go on. The Treasurer, seizing his chance, stepped into the breach, ,i -d ku.m his reply before meriib r- trailed the position, and the defence wljicli Mr Seddon made was an excellent one viewed from the standpoint of an electioneering speech, though many of the statements he made would not bear dissecting in cold blood. It is said that some thirty members were prepared to speak, and one of them had gone so far as to supply Han»anl with a copy of a mass of figures which he intended hurling at tlu Tr» a-Hirer's head. According to a Ministerial authority one effect of the unexpected collapse of the financial debate will be to shorten the length of the session by three weeks. Later in the evening Mr Massey, the Opposition whip, explained that the arrangement with the senior Government whip was that Mr Willis was to follow Mr Buddo, after whom Dr. Newman was to come, but the member for Wanganui was temporarily absent from the chamber and with the knowledge that an order of speaking had been arrived at no one cared to stejf into the breach. In summing up the financial debate Mr Seddon said no previous Statement had received the same mark of approval, and apparently no fault could be found with its contents. He denied that his Government were going in for a loan in the strict sense of the term, but they were giving aid to necessary public works of national importance. The present Administration had paid more out of the consolidated revenue to the Public Works Fund than any previous Government, and their finances were strong in spite of the low prices of produce. The surplus last year was a genuine one. He defended the Government proposals ir Native lands, and stated that never in the history of the colony had the Maoris been so peaceful in their ways. The Woodville-E ketahuna railway would be gone on with all possible speed, as the line would be a profitable one to the colony. The mining industry would be assisted by the opening up of roads, and the question of tourist resorts was engaging the attention of the Government. The House would be informed shortly as to whether it was proposed to raise the million required for public works in the colony or at Home. The colony's credit was now so good that the sum could be raised very cheaply in the English market. The Treasurer concluded with a peroration on the glowing financial aspect of the colony. Progress was reported on the Estimates, owing to members having had no time to consider the items. The Canterbury College Bill was put through its final stages. The Property Law Amendment (Mr Button) was read a second time and sent on to the Statutes Revision Committee. Mr G. Hutchison's Photographic Copvright Bill was read a second time by 48 to 10. Mr Graham's School Committees Election Act, 1891, Amendment Bill was thrown out by a large majority.^ Progress was reported on Mr Pirani's Truck Act Amendment Bill, the Premier opposing the measure.