Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 124, 18 September 1896, Page 3

Parliamentary Notes.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL.

[Special to Standard.]

Wellington", This day

In the Council yesterday the Minister of Education opposed the motion that Sir Walter Buller be heard at the bar of the Council, and it was defeated on the voices. The Government Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill passed its final stages. The Tauranga Educational Endowment Reserves Bill and the Rating Act Amendment Bill were read a second time. The Minister of Education announced that the Chatham Islands County Constitution Bill would be dropped until next session. Smarting under the slap in the face •which the House gave the Government at Wednesday night's sitting, in refusing to Ministers permission to have certain bills committed, and in also so destroying the clause in the Old Age Pensions Bill providing for finance as to cause the abandonment of the measure, The Premier, when the House met at half-past two yesterdav, decline to proceed with the business till he had consulted his supporters. An adjournment was consequently agreed on forthwith, and a Ministerial caucus was then summoned. I understand that assurance was given by the party that their refusal to pjfonr so many measures to fe

mitted on the previous night was merely intended as a protest against what would have probably meant an all-night sitting, and that it was thought the Old Age Pensions "Bill was a sufficient order for one evening. This assurance was accepted by the Premier, and he then agreed to go through the Order Paper with his supporters to ascertain their feeling as to what measures should be passed this session. Some twenty bills were marked off as those that ought to be persevered with, and the others are to be abandoned. Mr Seddon told the caucus that he hoped to have this legislation completed by the first week in October. Those members of the Liberal Party who were not invited to the caucus were Messrs Pirani, G. W. Russell, E.M. Smith, Earnshaw, and J. W. Kelly, while Messrs Saunders, McNab, and Montgomery failed to respond to the invitation. On the House resuming last evening, Mr Seddon made a Ministerial statement, defending the action the Government had taken that afternoon. He said he would announce on the following day what Bills would be proceeded with and what measures would be included in the "slaughter of the innocents." The Premier announced that he hoped to bring down the Public Works Statement next week. The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee. A proposed new clause by Mr Bell to prevent the seizure of sinking funds in future was negatived on the casting vote of the Chairman, Mr Joyce. The Bill was reported with minor amendments, read a third time, and passed. The Public Revenues Act Amendment Bill was also put through its final stages.