SESSIONAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9635, 6 October 1894, Page 5

SESSIONAL NOTES.

[by telesraph.— correspondent.]

I Wellington, Friday. The speech in the Legislative Council by the Hon. W. Kelly upon the Cheap Money Bill was a decidedly non-pessimistic one, and ib is to be hoped that the facts warranb his optimism. He contended that the deplorable accounts of prevailing depression were greatly exaggerated. lb was true that the grain-growing districts of the South Island were in a bad state, bub in the North Island things were far different. The inhabitants of the dairying districts, especially those of the Wesb Coast, could hardly understand the woeful tales of depression that reached them. If tho colony wan losing on the one hand by wheatgrowing the balance of trade was being restored by dairying. This industry had during the last few years caused the price of land to almost double itself. The future of the country depended upon the opening up of the land, so that profitable industries, such as dairying may be established.

Under the heading "That Undesirable Bill" the Posb this evening states :— Our suspicion that the Undesirable Immigrants Bill was simply a bold and successful Ministerial attempt to outdo the immortal Manglers and Washers Bill was borne out by the Premier yesterday. Members were simply thirsting to get ab the new measure, and yesterday afternoon Mr. Houston asked the Premier without notice when they would have an opportunity of discussing • that very important Billthe Undesirable Immigrants Exclusion Bill.' The Premier replied in his best manner that the House might discuss ib while they were waiting for the Appropriation Bill. This is the interval on the last day of the session during which it is customary to hold a mock Parliament with burlesque speeches, so that it is evident that the Premier regards this measure as a burlesque, and tho more it is looked into the more correct does this opinion appear."

The Advances to Settlers Bill has had a narrow escape in the Legislative Council today. Ic is said that Messrs. McLean and Oliver saved the Consols Bill, and ib is certain that but for the attitude of Mr. McLean, the Advances to Settlers Bill would have been ignominiously rejected. As it was, the measure was only carried by a majority of one. The division was an exciting one, as it was nob known until the last moment which way the only Maori member present would vote. He cast in his lot with the Government. However, judging from the Hon. G. McLean's speech, which was- one of compromise from beginning to end, the Bill will have to be considerably amended in Committee ; indeed, he plainly declared that ho would do his beat to alter its more objectionable features. Ho did nob share the suspicions entertained by some as to the objects of the Bill, nor did he, on the other hand, think that all would work out as satisfactorily as Government hoped. The experiment was a doubtful one. The fate of the Bill in Committee will be awaited with interest.