POLITICAL POINTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3259, 16 October 1897, Page 3

POLITICAL POINTS.

tfho llotm was ocjutftcd from 2.30-jester* day afternoon- till 12.5 tliia morning in wrangling over the appointment of a Native Affairs Committee. The Opposition members eet.up something like a stonewall, contending that they were not receiving proper representation on the committee as constituted, whilst tho Government held that in proportion to tho relative strength of parties the Opposition -was adequately represented (though at one period of tho debate tho Premier intimated that he would accept onejdut of the two names suggested by Captain Russell). The proceedings terminated by the taking of a division in a somewhat thin House, tho result being a victory for tho Government by 7 votes.

MrCrowther asked the Colonial Treasurer yesterday if it is true that he has given instructions to reduoo the rate of interest at the Post Office Savings Bank from November next, on sums between .£2OO and .£SOO, to 2£ per cent ; if so, will be kindly tell tho Hoixso and the country his reasons for so doing ? Mr Seddon’a reply was short and to tho point • ‘‘Year-

Mr Monk is to ask the Postmaster-General if he will rearrange the postage rates in this colony so that they may bo more equitable than at present, as a letter is now charged the came rate for being carried one mile as for a thousand miles P

* Sir Robert Stout last night designated tho stonCw.aU on the committees question as the Opposition’s “ first line of defence.” When the House resumed yesterday afternoon the Premier asked if the Opposition was prepared to take the debate on tha Financial Statement that evening. Captain Russell said it would bo mors convenient as Jar as the Opposition was concerned to take the debate on Tuesday. This course was adopted, “ The real Leader of the Opposition, the member for Dunedin, Mr Scobie Mackenzie.” —Mr Seddon.

“It is excusable in youth to bo a stonewaller,” said the Premier, in answer to an interjection by Mr Monk last night, “ but to bo a grey-headed old sinner in that respect is inexcusable.”

The Premier last night charged tho Opposition with stonewalling. * V I know the game the Opposition are playing as well as they do themselves!” assorted the right hon gentleman. “Better!” shouted Mr across the floor of the House amidst'a universal crackle of laughter. “ The terra ‘ Left Wing ’ acts on Premier a«» a red rag to a bull.” —Mr Pirani.

Mr Piraui night charged tho Premier with writing a leading article to tho Ly telton Thus predicting a Ministerial orisia, and tho removal of two members of the Cabinet, at tho instance of diseontonted members of the House. The patently absurd idea seemed to amuse tho right hon gentleman very much.^ “ If ho (tho Premier) wishes to get on with tho business of ‘tho country this session ho will have to bo more conciliatory than ho has been before,”—Sir 11 Stout.

Messrs F. Dowsott and T. Parsons, of Eketahuna, introduced by Mr Hogg, M.H.B, waitad on the Minister of Lands yesterday in reference to several matters affecting tho settlers in the Special Settlements. Among other things they suggested that the contributions required under the Loans to Local Bodies Act should bo reduced. It was pointed out that tho period for repayment might bo extend© 1 from 26 to 'SO or else the sinking fund rain ht altogether be dispensed with. The Minister said the question was one for tho Colonial Treasurer. It would be considered and pos-. sibly somo legislation on tho subject would be introduced next session.

Mr Crowther: ‘ ‘ Tho hon gentlemen’s state-, ment was ungentlemanly.” The Speaker ; “That is distinctly unparliamentary!” Mr Crowther; “ Well, perhaps I ought to* have said unmanly!” Mr Speaker; “I can’t allosv that either I” JVTr Crowther ; “ Well, sir, then, almost childish"!” Mr Speaker: “How do you justify a remark of that kind?” Mr Crowther: “ Well, sir, he said bon gentlemen neglected their committee duties on sanny mornings, and went for a walk on Lambton quay.” (Conclusive.) “ I may (occupy a good many public platforms in the’next six months.” —The Minister of Lands.

“ We wore going to bo wiped out for tho last seven years, but hero we are as strong as over wo wore.”—Tho Minister of Lands. ” I fcbink his (the Premier’s) connection with these gentlemen of Cambridge has spoiled him. I find him very amiable ;in fact, sometimes I think ho is getting too amiable.”—Hon J. McKenzie.

Tho Minister of Lands; “ The Premier and I have never had a row. (Incredulous chuckles). There was at times just such a little difference of opinion as a man and his wife might have.” (Roars of laughter.)^ Mr Monk (referring to tho Premier); “ There is as much difference in oar political dispositions as there is in onr physical conformation,” (Laughter.) Mr G. Hutchison's Education Act 1877 Amendment proposes that public schools may bo provided when an attendance of 10 children is guaranteed; and that the Education Boards shall adopt a uniform series of school books.

Mr- Kelly: “It is bad enough for the Premier to neglect the Opposition, but to neglect the * Left Wing,’ that is quite inexcusable ” An hon member : “ What is the Left Wing?” Mr Kelly: “Mr Pirani and myself.” (Laughter.) “ Select Commifcteea'ara nurseries of tbo administrators of tho future.”—Mr Rolloston. -

“ Tho Premier is afraid that people shall think he ia afraid.”—Mr Carson. “ You will find it will be quick march at Obristmas.” —The Premier in reply to Mr Monk, who said ‘\We are prepared to stay here tilt M irch !” . “The Premier says that the three-fifths majority is a sound principle, and I am going to insist on the thrao-fifUn majority so far as it affects the Government, every timo I vote in this House.”—ilr Taylor. * * •

■ u tl the, electors, of the colony had been present in the House during.,the,last three weeks the most burning question before the electors at the n?xb election would be the reform of the legislative system itself.”—Mr Tayio'*. ” The Government does not want to do any work; it simply wants to pa-athe estimates and go home.” —Mr Richardson. The Premier yesterday introduced hia Solicitors’ Fees Bill, and explained that it provided inter alia for making it a criminal offence for tolioitora to charge foes in judgment summons cases. Mr McGuire t “ The right honourable gentleman, who is not only right honourable but a doctor of coirtwon law 1” (Boars of laughter.) Messrs Meredith, Taylor, Tanner. Graham. Kelly, U’Meara, Joyce, Flatman, Hogg and Hon Major Steward waited on the Minister nf justice lust evening and impressed upon him the necessity of euq iiriug into the condi* tion of the police force of the colony. The deputation expressed tho opinion that nothing short of an enquiry by a tribunal Competent to elicit the trae state of affairs tiould satisfy the House , and the public conscience., Beveral of those present expressed tho opinion that a select committee of the House would be the proper tribunal to enquire into the charges against the police force, but a majority considered that a Royal Commission would be preferable. The necessity for ro.organisation of the force was also ur*cd. In reply, the Hon T. Thompson said the deputation was aware that the Government had not decided to set up aR -yal Commission; nor was there any desire on its part to set one üb’. Bdth the Premier and Limself had already exp’resced the opinion that it Would bo better not to hold any enquiry until tho arrival Commissioner of Police, and the Cabinet bad concurred, in that view. Asked if the 1 ‘ net would refuse any fresh representations made in regard to tho matter, the Minister o. Justice said tlio Cabinet would not set itselt against a resolution of the House on tho apb.ioet. He could not bo expected to say that ho tfould adopt the suggestions made by the present deputation; but it would bo his doty to place tbeir views before !lis colleagues at the earliest opportunity.