PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1875, 9 June 1886, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

(FROM OUti OWN COUKESI’ONDENT.) Parliament Buildings, June 8. Humour whispers that another attempt is shortly to be mado io oust the Government. An amendment to reduce the sum to be forwarded is being trotted round for supporters, and it is said, that a majority has been secured against it. 'This amendment is to be moved by some candid friend as a friendly motion, but it is suggested that Government would consider it a noconfidence amendment, and the wish sterns father to the thought. Mr Bryce’s name is still mention' d in connection with this move, ard it is said that great efforts are being made in a quiet way to secure the success of the attempt to be made. This afternoon Dr Newman asked for a week’s leave of absence for Mr Fisher, on “ urgent private affairs.” These urgent private affairs are understood to have connection with the prosecution of a vigorous canvass on behalf of Shannon’s candidature to a seat on the Government Insurance Association, and some indignation is expressed in political circles at the bare-faced action of a member of the House ask. iug leave of absence, and absenting himself from public duties on such ,! urgent private affairs.” When the leave was asked in the House to-day there were loud cries of “No”, The leave, however, was granted.

Sir George Grey this afternoon evidently desired to get a discussion of his Pacific Islands mol ion and report of Pacific Islands Committee, but the Premier managpd to put him of! till to morrow by promising that another motion, with reference to the Kcrmadic Islands would bo called on this afternoon, Sir George Grey evidently saw a chance here of getting something off his mtml with reference to the New Hebrides. He was, however, disappointed, as the motion was postponed on the New Hebridesjquestion, which, during tho past day or two, Ims assumed a serious phase. Mr Moss has given notice to move that the Government shall put themselves in communication with the Governments of other colonies in order to prevent the recidivistes from the New Hebrides escaping to the colonies by arranging for the inspection of all trading vesse's from the New Hebrides or the neighborhood arriving at Colonial ports,

This evening His Excellency the Governor is entertaining members ..1 Government House, and there arc only about twenty members in their places. Upon this Sir Julius Vogel moved and obtained the postponement of the orders of the day in order take the Treasury estimates in Committee of Supply. This was considered rather a clever strategic move, but I am not sure that it was a wise one. It was certainly open to retaliation by members talking for an indefinite time on certain items, so that the estimates may be delayed rather than accelerated in their passage through the Committee. At any nice the Treasurer lias not made much progress so far, the Committee having been occupied for just an hour and a half up to the time I write in considering whether an fxtva hundred should be given to the Secretary of the Treasury. As the result of this evening’s work up to the supper adjournment idl the estimates under the

Treasurer’s charge, rr rather the estima f es of the Treasurer’s department, and trade and C stoms have been passed, with the exception of LIOO increase to (he Secretary of the Treasury, and LSO to the Assistant Secretary. Tim item of LII,OOO for the Himmoa was reduced by LlO 000. This practically dispenses wi h Captain Fairchild’s crack yach\ unless the item it I placed on the supplementary estimates. A majority was whipped for it.