POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 5084, 21 September 1891, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(by telegraph.)

[from our own correspondent] Wellington. September 21. Everything is quiet in the lobbies, and the Christchurch vacancy affords a topic for discussion to relieve the dreariness of an exceptionally dull time. The Public Trust item is likely to be fiercely debated. Several attacks having been made on the Commission by the Opposition, Mr Macdonald is going to reply in justification, asserting that half the shameful transactions have not been made public. This afternoon Mr Ward, the Post-master-General, is to introduce into the House the Oainaru Harbor Advance Repayment Bill, which is sure to be carried. This afternoon the small Bills are to be wiped out, and at 7.30 supply will begone into. Business is to be rushed. Mr Ward's Bill re your harbor loan is intended to legalise the LlO 000 in excess of loan. The Bill is not yet in circulation. The returns in connection with the Lands for Settlement Bill were tabled today by Mr M'Kenzie. Mr Rolleston made a violent attack on the land policy of the Government; and, in the course of an excited speech, spokeof land in "high latitudes." The Minister for Education replied and tickled the House immensely I)}' asking, "What part of the colony was in 'high latitudes.'" Mr Rolleston, discomfited, explained that he meant "high a l titudes." Messrs Valentine, Hall, and Richardson spoke, and there is every prospect of the afternoon being wasted by factious opposition. The Minister fi>r Lands bears himself bravely. The tactics of the Opposition are exciting general disgust. Later. The Opposition .are pursuing a disgrace ful policy of obstruction. Mr Baliance, in speaking, said the recommendation to proclaim certaiu lands conie from the Sur-veyor-General. Mr Buckland ejaculated, " Yes, under pressure." Mr M'Kenzie gave this an angry denial, and the Oppositionists became even more bitter. The unseemly wrangle is still going on merrily. Mr Fergus is just up.