POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8597, 12 September 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(From Oor Special Correspondent.) Wellinoton, September 11. DELAYED BUSINESS. The ocean mail resolutions and amendments thereon by Messrs Ward and Saunders, which have been delayed since Tuesday by the debates on the reports of committees, are expected to come on to-night. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. The business at present before the House is tho Westport-Ngakawau Railway Extension Bill, which is likely to provoke a good deal of discussion, as after the promise of the Government to undertake no new works afber the decision re the Ofcago Central there is a very strong feeling that tho railway should not be made, although the funds for its construction were provided by the Westport Harbour Board, and not out of the public works or consolidated funds. THE HONORARIUM. Th« question of the interception of members' honorarium by order of the Supreme Court has occupied the House for the past two days. As the result of the discussion yesterday, the Premier asked leave to-day to introduce a bill making the honorarium unassailable by any .process at law; but the motion was defeated by an overwhelming majority. MILITARY CONFERENCE. Mr Feldwick asked the Minister of Justice, without notice, if it was the intention of the Government to send an officer to Melbourne to represent the colony at the council of military officers to be held there to confer with Majorgeneral Edwards. Tho Hon. Mr Fergus replied that as the Government were advised that Major-general Edwards would probably visit the colony early next year, the Government therefore did not think it necessary to Bend a representative to Melbourne now. Majorgeneral Edwards would be able to advise the Government as to tbe defences when he visited i the colony. A DISSOLUTION. An Opposition caucus was held this morning at which resolutions expressive of satisfaction at the leadership of Mr Ballance, and affirming the desirableness of the leader of the Opposition addressing public meetings at various centres during the recess, were agreed to. The resolution, of which Mr Ballance gave notice to-day for the dissolution of Parliament, was also agreed to by the meeting. The notice of motion was received with cheers from all sides of the Houbb this afternoon, Ministers even joining in the applause. It is understood the Government accept the motion, though they may not vote for it. The object of the Opposition appears to be to cut the ground from beneath the feet of the Government, in view of the rumours finding currency that the intention is to dissolve Parliament during the recess. s