LOBBY GOSSIP.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 174, 25 July 1907, Page 5

LOBBY GOSSIP.

THE FINANCIAL DEBATE

(By Telegraph—Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, July 24. * The debate nearly fizzled out this afternoon. Indeed, the Premier had got to his feet and did not look like giving way for quite a time. There I was a general sense of disappointment, j because there is a general sort of i agreement that, as I said in a former message, there is not much at the present stage to lay hold of. It is quite usual now to hear. Members saying that they must wait for the Land Bill to be before the House before talking land, and that, as for finance, they can get an opportunity when imprest supply comes up. On the whole, it is thought doubtful by most Members whether the debate will last out Friday. It is too early to say anything about results, but there are signs +hat if a proposal is made to reduce the £40,000 of the new graduated land tax to £20,000 it will meet with large support. For the rest, all agree that the speaking has been remarkably good so far, but that there might well be less of it. - THE ROTORUA BILL. A few echoes of,the little debate on the Rotorua Bill linger in the lobbies. Amongst them it is noted that there was no real opposition to the Bill, as all agree that the Government that finds all the money and has the widest interests ought to be the paramount authority in Rotorua. The Opposition only meant that the divided authority which has been bad for Rotorua ought to be ended. There are the Tourist Department and the Public Works.Department. The former projects works and makes plans which the latter carries but, with the result that neither has the responsibility, each being able to say when anything goes wrong that it was the fault of the other, one blaming the design and the other the execution. The idea is that a strong man ought to be appointed to rule, and given all necessary powers with all the a otendant responsibilities. There were no answers to questions to-day, according to the rule that gives crucial debates the precedence. In consequence the order paper is growing big. : Later. ALL OVER. The debate collapsed after all. The general opinion is that this is the- fruit and the best example of Parliamentary tactics seen here for years. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, was in magnificent form. Experts say it was the manner *bf the man who, leaving the Opposition only enough to take hold of to make the Government position, clear by answering argument, did the answering with jubilant cogency. <