PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8052, 30 October 1897, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(Parliamentary Reporter.) - Wellington, lost night. : THE LEFT WING EXPELLED. The Premier, it is understood, is going to make the aotion of the Left Wing on Thursday evening the lever with which to oust them from the party. Personally Mr Seddon would prefer to leave them severely alone, and ■would do so -but for the goading on of the other members of the Government. The. following are bitterly incensed at the independence of the Left Wing members. The Minister of Lands, who was the first speaker at the evening sitting, threw over the. four Left Wingers who voted agaiust the Government last night. He said he wished the Opposition joy of their converts, and said the Liberal party would do better without their aid. . , NEW BILLS, Among the new Government measures introduced in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon were the Education Boards' Election. Bill, the Coroners Bill, and the Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill. CONDOLENCES. Replying, to a question without notice, the Premier intimated- that the Government had cabled the condolences of the people of thecolony to the Queen and Royal Family on the death of the Duchess of Teck. Hereupon the Hon. Mr Rolleston protested against the Government taking action without consulting with the representatives of the people while Parliament was in session, and Mr George Hutchison interjected " Cheek !" The Premier said that he had- sent the cable, and he was not going to permit_such a solemn occasion to .be made the vehicle of an attack on the Government, and the matter dropped. BANK BILL. The leader of the Opposition inquired this afternoon when the Bank of New Zealand Amendment Bill was to be brought down. Members, he said, should have ample opportunity of considering a measure dealing with the organisation and management of the bank before being asked to discuss it... The ■ Premier said that while he was worked day and night it was impossible he could devote the, necessary time for preparation of the FINANCIAL DEBATE. The financial debate, after extending over a fortnight, has now pretty well run its course, and before the. House rises the end will have been reached. Those who furnished their quota to the dreary talk up to the dinner adjournment were Messrs R. McKenzie (who described the budget as tho best and ablest that had been presented to the House for many years), Kelly, Heke (who urged. that r there should be a reservation of all Native lands still in the hands of .the Native race), and Meredith.

• To day. — Replying on the financial debftte ; the Premier complained of the way in Which the Opposition had treated him since his return from England. Mr Rolleston's amendment virtually said that himself and colleagues were guilty of fraud. He quoted from a document to show that he was merely appointed a member of the Advisory Board of the syndicate, and read a telegram from .outside calling some members : wUp voted for the amendment traitors. With a great show of virtuous indignation, he said he would rather -pay ,£1750, his own expenses . in London, even if it -left him without money, than that' the House should debate the matter. THE ESTIMATES. The House then went into Committee of Supply, and, as usual, the first item, 41900, Legislative Council, gave rise to a general discussion on the estimates. The Premier said classification was the remedy for some of the departments where injustice existed. - ■ ■ -■ Captain Russell regretted that the magistrates and District Court judges were under political control, and urged that Supreme Court Judges should be paid at least £500 more than they got at present. - The' Minister of Lauds, in a characteristic speech, ridiculed the idea of placing magistrates beyond the reach of Ministers ana_ Parliament. He said there were j magistrates indebted to money-lenders and financial firms. As an intimation that, the House was not -satisfied -with the appointment of the last three Councillors, Mr Rolleston moved a reduction of the vote 'by. £1; After discussion, " the item was passed without alteration, the House rising at 2 o'clock. -In the Pharmacy Bill the only amendment made was a direction conferring the same rights on private' dispensers to doctors, as is given to a chemist inlnisiness, viz., that after dispensing for. a period of two years after the passing of the Act they may be registered. ■ \\ Ellington, to-day. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFOKM. . .the Constitution Aot Amendment .Bill of the Premier provision is made for a gradual retirement of the life members of th.c five. Councillors who have held their seats- for the longest continuous period, retiring annually. Clause 7 provides that ." Women shall be eligible for appointment as, members of, the Council." The Bill has probably been introduced as likely to be in a popular direction with the country, and has ,npt the. remotest chance of beooming law.,. As in the measure brought before the last Parliament, provision is made for holding a convention of both branches of the Legislature, and in the event of continued disagreement a referendum.