PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

Colonist, Volume XXVI, Issue 3699, 1 September 1883, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

v [FROM OUE OWN CORRESPONDENT.] t WELLINGTON, ■ , . ' ■> August 31. The House was in a mood for work last night, and a large amount of business was disposed of, not that there was unreasoning haste or want of due consideration, but owing to the professional pratlera for once not toiling ■in their self-dread ? vocation. On amending the Public Works Bill there was considerable discussion, which resulted in the Government proposals being mercilessly cut down. It was obvious that these were the product of the offioial rather than the Ministerial mind, »nd members were not willing'to legislate in the direotion required by the civil eemnts, already prtetioally dicfc- toritl in working railway matter. A provision to take the property Ux valuation with not exoaeding 25 per oent, added a< absolute in fixing eomjiensationforUndi take* for public works was rejaoted on ths) Toioet; as were all the other clauses adding to the bower of tke railway oflcers obtaining coniiotions for the innuaserable offen«es set ferth. There wts a skarp fi(?ht, in which the Government were agam beaten, tkis time on ft division ovar a elawe to restore to the Minister for Publio Works the power of grtntinglicanses for the sale of intoxicating liquors at railway refreshment rooms instead of Licensing Committees, >s daeided aftar a struggle whan the existing Lioansing Act was pasted. The nuistnee of drunken passengers tempted at every station and the danger of stupefied officers ware sufficient to'wejgh with members to rejeot the clauie. As it was said, it; must ba a very thirsty soul who cannot get through a trip by railway without ft succession of drinks, and, further, that the State had no right by giving special facilities to foster vicious habits. It is a sign of the times when these views prevail. Nearly the whole of the afternoon was taken up with the well known Longhurst ease. The prisoner, innocent or.guilty aathe ease may be, is undoubtedly in one respect exceedingly fortunate. His counsel, Mr Shaw, not only was able to use his abilities in Court, hut as a member pleaded the cause of his client in the House in a clever, well connected, and excellently delivered speech, by far the best in every way that has been heard from him in his double character of lawyer and representative. Mr Shaw and other professional members will be sure to have & preference over those not lucky enough to have a seftt, Whether taking advantage of the position in this way is quite fair or decorous is totally ft different question. The occasion arose on the report on Longhurst's petition, in which Mr Shaw moved to add » request that it should be favorably considered by the Government. The Minister of Justice/Mr Conolly # was evidently and with good cause nettled at the attempt to influence his decision by the pressure of the House, and expressed a strong opinion against Longhurst. Several excited speakers followed, and when the favorable recommendation had been agreed to, Mr Hutchison marred the whole business in his maladroit fashion by moving an addition •' that this House wag of opinion that the Royal prerogative should be exercised m Longhurst's favor. Mr DeLautour denounced this proposal to interfere with the administration of justice. He was clearly under great emotions, and soon Had the House cheering him as loudly as befere had been the case the opposite way. He changed the tone «f thought so completely that Mr .Shaw implored Mr Hutchison to withdraw nil amendment, which being done, the motion w»l put and forthwith the matter ended.