PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11200, 21 October 1899, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

* [by telegraph.—special correspondent.] Wellington, Friday. TRAINING SHIP. Lv the Council this afternoon Mr. Jennings' notice of motion, "That the report of the Training Ship Committee be agreed to," was carried without dissent. The evidence, extracts and information that has been collected occupy 36 pages of Parliamentary paper size. This shows that a good deal of care and attention have been bestowed on the question. Mr. Jennings feels pleased that after an advocacy of the question for over five years in Parliament he has carried a strong report and recommendation that the Government should take action in the matter. GOVERNMENT LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES. The Government have unwillingly annexed another plank of the Opposition platform, or at any rate they have adopted half of it. I refer to the reduction of the rate of interest on Government loans to local bodies. Though the State can now borrow money at a much lowe; rate than when the Government Loans to Local bodies Act was passed, the rate of interest charged to the local bodies'has been maintained. The Premier, after talking a lot about reducing the interest, brought in a Bill this session which did nothing of the kind. The threats and protests of the Opposition eventually compelled the Government to give way. The Premier's supporters seemed quite content with the purely imaginary concession contained in the Bill, as introduced, but Mr. Seddon himself, feeling that the Opposition had the country with them, suddenly discovered that the Bill did not go as far as he intended, and agreed to an amendment, giving a reduction of half per cent, on the principle, that half a loaf is better than no bread. Captain Russell and his followers accepted this reduction, but they still feel that the settlers have only received half of what they are entitled to.