Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 443, 5 October 1897, Page 3

Parliamentary Notes.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, This day. The Treasurer is anxious to bring down his financial statement as speedily as possib'e and should the Address in Reply debate finish tomorrow night it will be delivered on Friday. Should the debate not wind up till the end of the week the budget proposals will not be delivered till Tuesday. A distinct feeler will certainly be thrown out in favor iu favor of borrowing, and members will be told that with the representations made in various parts of the colony for works and railways their demands can only be met by raising a loan. Though a call of the Council will be made to-morrow afternoon the election of the Speaker will not take place till the evening sitting. So far no indication has been given as to the preference by the Government for any candidate. When the report of the Royal Commission on the Private Benefit Societies is presented to Parliament it will, I am informed from a fairly reliable source, go in the direction of encouraging rather than discontinuing Ihem. it will recommend that facilities bo given for their registration, and will suggest that compulsory membership bo not encouraged. The assertion that these organisations have proved to be inimical to registered friendly societies has not been substantiated by the evidence. The Bank of Now Zealand Provident Fund will probably be condemned on existing lines, and recommendation will be made that it be either ended or mended.