Political Notes and Comments.

Southland Times, Issue 13030, 3 October 1894, Page 3

Political Notes and Comments.

(By Telegraph.) (EROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT). Wellington, Oct. 2. Referring to the unprecedented delay in bringing down the Public Works Statement Sir R. Stout declared this afternoon that such tactics were entirely contrary to all proper carrying on of business.—(The Premier : I admit that). —The knight went on to contend that the Statement had never been held back so late as . upon the present occasion—(The Premier: We have not got the money)—Sir Robert answered that it was quite unnecessary to get money first. The works to be done should first be fixed and the means provided afterwards. The Pfemier here interjected “we would soon .Ind ourselves in the Bankruptcy Court.” Mr Crowther agreed with Sir Robt. Stout that the House should decide upon the works and then vote the money. “The Premier shakes his head. ” Mr Crowther went on, “ but Isay the present way is the wrong? way about. ” The matter then Bill was to-day launched upon the troubled waters of Council where, as I have already said, it is almost certain of shipwreck. Messrs Bowen, Stewart, Pharazyn and McGregor made strong and effective speeches against the measure, and Messrs Rigg, McCullough, and Sir George Whitmore made but ineffective refutals, the latter concluding with the weak admission that while he hoped the bill would prove a failure he was] willing to give it a tnal. His opinion was that the proverbial stocking in New Zealand did not contain the million the Treasurer wished to see transferred to his keeping. It seems likely that the bill will be thrown out by a substantial majority unless extraordinary influences are brought to bear. The debate stands adjourned until to-morrow.