POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1649, 7 October 1903, Page 55

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE ESTIMATES. Parliament sat until 4.15 a.m. on Saturday. Good progress Avas made Avith the Estimates. ' The defence vo'tc (£160,113), tho discussion of which Avas commenced shortly, before 11 p. 111., Avas disposed of by 4 a.m., after some keen criticism. Fifteen minutes sufficed for tho Police Department (£127,433). AN UNPLEASANT INCIDENT. At two o’clock on Saturday morning Parliament witnessed an unpleasant incident. The debate on the Defence vote had been heaced and acrimonious. Trouble arose between the Premier and Air Herdman, member for Alount Ida. The latter, commenting upon MajorGeneral Babington’s reference in his recent report to the use of political influence in securing appointments to tho Defence Department, statqd ' that a, specific case in point (iie had been challenged to name one) aa*us the appoints men of Air Seddon’s son to a position in che department. There were some sharp passages between members and tne Minister regarding the reference. The Premier, rising with some warmth, said if use had boon made of tho same expressions outside of the House as had been done insido, ho would have taken such steps that they would not be repeated. Mr Herdman: Do I understand that to be a personal threat ? If so, I am quite AAilling to accommodate 'the Premier. The Premier said if the member for Mount Ida had any finer feeling at all he must have realised that his personal remarks regarding himself (the Premier) were entirely out of place. He thought they could discuss public affairs Avithout imparting personal matters in a manner absolutely offensive to himself, and he could only take them os being intended to wound his feelings. Ho Avas not very sensitive. Public life had kept him within reasonable bounds, but 110 thought nlie honourable member had exceeded the limit. All* Heiflman denied that he had made any personal attack upon the Premier. There Avas absolutely no foundation for the statement. He had never hesitated to rise in his seat when he thought there was anything wrong in the administration and to condemn it in vigorous terms and in plain language. All he had done that night Avas to condemn the appointment of the Premier’s son, and members Avere bullied— The Premier (heatedly): Sir, I move that those Avords be taken down. The Chairman (Mr Alillar) ruled that tjhe expression was unparliamentary, and it muse be withdrawn. Mr Herdman hesitated, but on the Chairman insisting, lie withdrew the words. Air Alassey: Do yc*u rule tho expression unparliamentary? It has been used here often before. The Chairman: Yes, it is unparliamentary. . ! The Premier: Grossly insulting. THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE. The debate on the CoastAvi§e * Trade Bill some days ago furnished a kind of preliminary skirmish in connection Avith the San Francisco mail service. It Avas on that occasion argued by members that whilst the Government under this Bill proposed to confiscate foreign-OAvned ships acting in contravention of the provisions of this measure, yet it intended to subsidise the Yankees to the extent of £15,000 by the San Francisco service. The Government’s proposals in regard to this matter Awi 11 he submitted to Parliament shortly, in vloav of the early expiration of the Spreckels contract. 111 preparation for the debate, a meeting of members opposed to* the service is called for to-morroAv afternoon'. Members- having practically made up their minds on the matter, it is not expected that the debate Avill be very lengthy Avhen the question ccm.es before the House, and two or three cf the “ big guns” on either side Avill probably suffice for tbe discharge of all the ammunition. The last time this subject was before Parliament several South Island members voted with the presest leader cf the Opposition out of sympathy. It is stated that the opponents cf the seiwice have gained a number of adherents since the former vote was taken. The voting will be very close, and whichever Avay it goes, the majority will probably not be more than two or three votes.