PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7653, 11 June 1896, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

MR WARD'S POSITION.

THE MATTER ANXIOUSLY DISCUSSED.'

PROBABLE HOSTILE MOTION AND POSSIBLE RETIREMENT OF THE TREASURER.

(Herald Special Reporter. ) Wellington, to-day. The Treasurer's position is the all absorbiug topic in the lobbies. While Ministers and a largo sectiou of the Government following wjH stand loyal to Mr Ward, many of the latter openly express an opinion thai his temporary retirement from Cabinet rank is imperative, and thoro is no doubt that au amendment to the Addrees-in-Reply to the effect that the Government as at present constituted is not satisfactory would be largely supported. Mr Seddon would not yesterday hear of adjourning the Hpuae till Tnesday, but pressure is 60-day being brought to bear on him by numbers of his supporters to adopt that course as a mark of respeot to the late Sic Patrick Buckley and Dr Pollen, two prominent ex-members of the Legislature. Should the Premier at once move the ad- I journment, the tabling of an adverse resolution would of course be prevented. There is do doubt that a vigorous attempt is to be made to hound Mr Ward oat of office, and his continuing on the Treasury benches will mean his being made a target of constant personal attacks. On the other hand, his retirement would further weaken the Government in debating powor. Mr Beeves' absence in this respect will be severely felt. Judge Williams' judgment is being anxiously awaited, and the impression appears to be gaining ground that it will be followed by Mr yVurd'a resignation, and his going before his constituents. Very few members of the Opposition have yet arrived on the scene, and I have authority for sayiug that no amendment to tliß Address-in-Reply will be moved from their side of the House. Nolhiup, in fact, will be done before the return of Messrs Bell and Geo. Hutchison to the colony. It is intended to appoint five amanuenses at a salary of thirty shillings a day, whose duty will bo to typewrite members' speeches immediaiely the Hansaid reporters leave the Parliamentary chambers. Members will be allowed twelve hours to look over an I revise their speeches If the typewritten flips are not relumed nfler that time, the speeches will bo printed without correction. Thus it is hoped to keep Hansard up to date and to ensure a bi-weekly publication. All the co-operative hands under the Public Works Department are now employed on full time, Mr Hall Jones having cancelled the order previously in existence under which overseers were instructed to put them on half-time,