PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1780, 15 November 1887, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(FBOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

The financial debate so far has not been a very brillant affair. Sir Juilus Vogel opened it with a long speech, a speech lasting two hours and a half, but 1 have not yet heard any one tay that the speech long as it waß threw much light on the financial difficulty, or suggested any remedies better than those disclosed in the Statement for dealing with present difficulties. There was a good deal of juggling with figures ; a very interesting, and no doubt a very able description of die methods followed, with regard to what is known as " seizing the sinking fund," and financing of the more technical kinds ; but so far as regards the practical question of how ends are to be made to meet, there was not much information and less guidance. The two points on which Sir Julius and all late speakers from the opposition benches bit the Government hardest, were first the refusal of the Government to give details of their proposed retrenchment, and secondly their borrowing proposals. As to the first, I explained the position the other day as far as possible, mod to what was then written as the views of the two parties nothing can now be added, except to say that each side holds to its opinions more tenaciously, and that the controversy may lead to trouble. The borrowing proposals of the Government are a sore point with a good many of their best supporters, more especially those who bad pledged them* selves up to the eyeß to oppose further borrowing. The Government say that there are three courses open, either to stop all works as soon as present votes are exhausted, and many of the votes are already m that condition ; to borrow from the cash balances to the credit of certain works in order to finish those mo6t urgently required; or to borrow a sum sufficient to keep things going for another three years, and gradually taper off their expenditure to nothing a year, throwing many works now charged to loan on the ordinary revenue. The colony cannot stop its works m a day in view of the labour question, and it would be penny wise and pound foolish to do so in some instances even if the labour question did not exist. So that there practically remain but two courses open ; either to borrow from some works for the means of pushing on others, or to adopt the policy proposed by the Government. Those who object to borrowing proposals of the Government do not approve of the alternative involved, but they think that the Government might do with half a million less than they ask for. That question has yet to be fought out. It was rumoured early in the week that Mr, Scobie Mackenzie intended to move a motion in opposition to the Government, but it seems to have been abandoned, and I think it probable that a compromise will be arrived at. It is said that a committee is likely to be appointed to see bow the Public Works Policy, so far as borrowing is concerned, can here be brought to an end.

The tariff question has been agitating the atmosphere slightly during the last day or two. The protectionists, especially those of the opposition are endeavoring to force the Government to bring down proposals this session. There were caucuses and on Saturday a meeting of the Protectionists and local industry men from both sides was held. There was an attempt on the part of the Opposition members to get the meeting, which was a large one, to pass a motion insisting on a revision this session ; but it was not successful, and the meeting merely decided to appoint a deputation to ask the Premier his intentions. The Premier, when waited upon, said that it was impossible to revise the tariff this session, but there would be an early meeting of Parliament next year, in April if possible and that then the Government would make' proposals to the House which he believed would satisfy all but the extremes on either side. He said that he c<ra(d <:&(( fumseK" n«ft{ier & protectionist nor a freetrader, as the terms were com* monly accepted : but he was favorable to the enconragement of local industries, and Would do what he could for them.

The sharpest speaking during the past week has been upon Sir George Grey's old proposal for an elective Governor. The debate was good from an oratorical point of view, and became interesting when it brought abont a difference between Major Atkinson and Sir George. The Premier " sat " on the bill, and Sir George, though professing great respect for the Government, " went " for them nevertheless, much to the delight of the Opposition, who saw in it the first indication of a rupture that might be to their advantage. The bill was thrown ont by a large majority. Sir John Hall scored a point rather neatly against Sir George Grey. The latter had been describing the incalculable benefits to the colony of the provincial system, and appealed to the House to remember that he had led them Into that and not to hesitate following bis lead in the present case. Hall retorted that Sir George had " let " the colony into provincialism, and that if they had elected Governors they would see in a much more inconvenient form a repetition of the deadlocks that used to occur between the Provincial Councils and the elected superIntandenta of the old days.

As I said at the outset, the debate has been anything but a brilliant affair. Friday's talking was perhaps the wearießt of •11. .. Mr. Fish,, a Dnnedin member, spoke for three hours acd a half, and the rest of the time was occupied by Mr. Tanner, of Hawke's Bay, and Dr. Fitcbett, of Dunedin. By half-past eleven the Honee had

become so tired of tbe debate that it adjourned. The debate will conclude some time this coming week if members become a little reasonable in their demands npon time. I have wired you from time to time information as to the railway matter. Tbere are rumors that the Government are opposed to tbe diversion of the railway, but will propose the commencement of a road ; but I think tbe rumors are merely guesses. I know that wben tbe deputation waited on* them the other day everyone present was requested to treat the conversation as confidential, and it is not likely that the Government have given to other persons information of its intentions, even if it have yet made up its mind, which I take leave to doubt. At the instance of Mr. Marchant, Mr. Hutchison and others the Minister for Public Works has decided that permanent way men on tbe railways are to leave work early on Saturday, making up their time by working a ie<v minutes extra on other days of the week. Mr. Samuel's motion for a committee re harbor has not yet come on, and is bo low on tbe order paper that it is not likely to come on unless the House will consent to have it called on specially. Among the petitions presented this week were one from Mr. J. J. Elwin and others praying for relief from tbe present high rents, and one from Mr. M. F. Coffey, praying for consideration for services rendered during the Maori war.