MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2.

Otago Witness, Issue 2479, 18 September 1901, Page 29

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2.

THE SPEAKER'S HEALTH. Sir G. M. O'Rorke is not so well again to-day. He had a bad turn on Saturday, but improved yesterday, and to-day he had another turn. It is quite probable that he may go home to Auckland this week in order to recuperate, but he has had such a bad attack of the prevailing influenza that it is very doubtful whether we shall see him in the chair again this session. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. Mr Seddon returned from the south last evening. The financial debate will be resumed to-morrow at 10.30, and it remains to be 6een whether the presence of their leader will have a reassuring effect \ipon the recalcitrant members of his party who have j been so freely expressing their disapproval of the Budget. So far the Opposition have maintained a discreet silence, but we are, I "oelieve, to' have some of them up during the week. . At this stage it would not be surprising if the debate collapsed at any moment, but the" general opinion fixes its , termination for Friday night- This even- j ing's Post, discussing Mr Meredith's "amendment, says: — "Nothing more serious has ever occurred in the history of the present Administration than the motion by Mr Meredith, himself a Government supporter, to refer the Consolidated Estimates back to the Colonial Treasurer with an instruction that they be reduced by £50,000. It is unfortunate that the motion, or rather amendment, was out of order owing to a previous amendment relating to a State bank having been moved and negatived earlier in the debate. But for that fact, it is probable ; that the crisis in the affairs of the Seddon Government which is evidently fast approaching would have been somewhat expedited."