PARLIAMENTARY POINTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9796, 16 July 1903, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY POINTS.

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) i WELLINGTON, tuis day. 1 1 MINISTERIAL CRITICS ANSWERED. { Dealiiig with criticisms levelled against ' J the Ministry, the .Hon. Mr McGbwan ' ! said he noted that Mr Taylor admitted the ability of the Premier, of the Minis- \ ter of Railways, and of the Minister of . - Works, but what about the Hon. Mr i ' Duncan? The Minister of Lands understood land settlement as well as any j member m the House, and had an earnest desire for its furtherance. The Commis- ] sioner of Customs (Mr Mills) was most courteous and attentive to his duties, and j for himself (Mr McGowan), if he had not i ! the confidence of the majority of. the Government party, he would resign m quick time. If he had not the confidence of the majority of the House he would also be prepared to resign his portfolio. JOTTINGS. Chairmen of Sessional Committees appointed yesterday were : Railways, Mr 'fanner; Stock, Mr F. Lawryj Lands, Mr Hogg. "I sometimes think the Premier speaks too much; but on this question (preferential trade) it is his duty to enlighten us." — Mr J. W. Thomson. The three F's — freehold tenure, freetrade, freedom of contract — are according to the Minister of Justice the political creed of the farmers supporting Opposition country members. Within the last week the Hon. Mr Jenkinson has been shown by an English commercial traveller a sample of English boot, which will shortly be put on the market, and which it is claimed will be better than tho American. Mr Jenkinson thinks that with proper machinery New Zealand can produce . a high-class boot, equal to either the European or the American. "The cry of Liberalism and Conservatism is a thing of the past. The question is now between the large landed proprietor and the masses, and the small people, both m the country and the towns." — Hon. Mr McGowan. "I never knew the member for the Southern Maori district, Mr Parata, so wild looking as he was when talking about this native called Mahuta." — Mr J. W. Thomson. The Legislative Council decided to take a holiday to-day, so that the mtiny members belonging to it of a sporting turn of mind might attend the Hutt races. These hon. gentlemen fortunately have no constituents to answer' to. Sir W. Steward's Marriage Restrictions Removal Bill proposes to validate past, and future marriages with a deceased; wife's niece or deceased wife's nephew,' and to legitimise the' issue of such mar^ ringe. "Just hold your tongue for a minute." — The Minister of Justice's reproof to the Opposition benches for a cross-fire of interruptions. The Hon. Geo. Jones considers that the penalty inflicted on .the Auckland owners of the s.s. Akaroa for not- carrying a lifeboat was inadequate, and asking the Government, m view of the enormity of the offence, whether special action will be taken to prevent such, a criminal and fatal neglect. As the present debate, which has occupied three weeks, will finish to-night, the Financial Statement may be looked for at the end of next week. Mr Jennings leads off the debate this afternoon, and will be followed by Mr Aitken. To-night the speakers will be Messrs Buchanan Miller, and either Mr Seddon or Mr Duncan from the Treasury benches.