Political Intelligence.

Southland Times, Issue 9280, 27 July 1886, Page 2

Political Intelligence.

+_ . [Bi Teleubaph.J (FKOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, July 26. The sittling this aflmnooD wub eniiroly wasted. After *he Port Chalmera Fire Brigade Site Bill was disposed of, the New Plymouth Harbour Bill came on for the fonrth time. On the motion for going into committee at 3 o'clock Col. Trimble rose with the avowed iatentiou of stonewalling the bill, and be succeeded in talking it out till 5 30. There were nojfewnr than 15 counts out during his dreary drivel, but tho Government were obliged to keep a quorum in the House iv ordur to

prevent an adjournment till tOrinorrow. It ' was very dismal, and a shocking waste of time. This evening the Lo&n Bill debate was resumed aud a bew phase was soon pat on matters by a very cleverly worded amendment by Mr G. F. Richardson to take LI 75,000 off the Blenheim-Tophouse and Westport-Inangahua lines, and divide it between the other lines The object of this, if carried out, would be a greater epurt to the Otago Central, Napier-Woodville, Seaward Bueh, and Blenheim-Awatere liaes. The motion, if cairied, would not prevent the bill being read a second time, but of course it was such a direct hit at the policy of the Government that the Premier could only accept it as a want of confidence motion, and he at once said that ha would accept it as such. Mr Stout then proceeded to reply to the remarks of hon.'members, and made the most eloquent speech he has ever delivered in the House. Ho announced himself as a strenuous advocate of economy, and a believer in the absolute necessity of a cessation of borrowing in two or three years time, casting the cost of roads and public buildings, etc, upon the localities benefitted, and upon the consolidated fund. He asked the House to meet him in a fair spirit in endeavouring to bring about this state of things. When he eat down ho was cheered to the echo on all sides of the House end from the strangers' gallery.