(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11229, 27 September 1898, Page 2

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

WELLINGTON, September 9. The1 Fremior has given way.* The bdttle ft over and the victory won, the Opposition triumphing all along the line'. Every point they contended"for has been conceded by'the Premier; with the one exception that a little further time has been allowed for supplying particular;! as to miscellaneous services, Mr Seddon urging that it would be absolutely impossible to get full information regarding tliesa items readyjiy September 27. The ultimatum of Captain Bussell and his friends must have been a very bitter pill for the Premier and his colleagues to swallow, so bitter indeed was it that for six hours they hesitated in the hope that some way of escape might present itself. The Opposition, however, stood firm, and at last the Premier had to gulp down. ■■ Captain Iviissell declined to conduct negotiations verbally for fear lest misunderstandings might arise as to the precise h.ituro> of the concessions, and therefore everything was put in writing. The opponents of the Government have certainly scored heavily. ' The Opposition simply desired to have various items on the Estimates fully explained before they were asked to pass them, that time should bo riven for adequately discussing tho Public Works Statement and Estimates, and that they should have some idea how the money was to bo spent before they voted it. That is all they asked for, and that 'is what the Premier has, after a long and bitter struggle, been compelled to concede. ' . ■.

■ One good feature of the struggle is that it is almost certain to shorten the. session. This may seem paradoxical, but it is nonerthe less true, for after the Public Works Estimates are passed the Premier will find it very difficult 10-.keep members in Wellington;.:. This applies more especially to country members. As soon as they know exactly how much is to be expended in their districts they will be anxious to get home. They care very little for labour lulls, and other legislative experiments, and their constituents, as a rule, do not loofe;with enthusiasm upon the multiplication of acts of Parliament. -

It is worth mentioning that all the motions for the readmission of the pres3 reporters were supported by the Opposition, but successfully opposed by tho Government party. ~