Parliament & Politics.

Colonist, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5882, 15 August 1890, Page 3

Parliament & Politics.

(By Telegraph ) [From Oob Own Oosbbspondeht,] Wellington, Auguat 14. Till broad daylight yesterday morning the Legislative mill was kept whirring with olatter, but of grist there was none. The Government fairly put up the backs of some of the Opposition who wished to adjourn at half-past one ia the morning. Ministers had mustered their supporters, and their benches were full, wbiis those of the Opposition were but scantily occupied. Belying on this apparent strength they determined to pueh tbe Estimates through bat were met by a most determined stonewalling, which kept them at bay till all were wearied out and went borne to beJ. In tbe afternoon the House met at the usual hour, and tbe local Bills were nearly all pushed throagb, and questions answered. In the evening a pretty little comedy was payed. The Swiss referendum party, some fifteen in number, had concerted a very beautiful sohemoi Tbe whole were to rise at once on tbe motion to go into Supply, and thus one oi them would ba sura to catch the Speaker's eye, and secure a chance for tbe requisite amendment. Of Course tbe scheme was kept quiet, or at least intended to b) so, but it got wind, and the acute Chrietohuroh members, Mr Taylor, managed to rise before any of the fifteen, a_d catch the Speakers eye. Shouts of re emmet) t greeted the discomfited Switzera as they all sprang ap together, but Mr Taylor got Lia amendment on. The purport was to provide a Bite on the Canterbury plains for tbe future capital of New Zealand. There was do discussion, but he was only beaten by seven votes, as the Switzers, of course, voted with him in order to secure another chance for their pet, but the motion went in the negative and thereupon the motion for going into Supply sood aa the only possible question and was carried accordingly, so at 8 p.m. tbe House again took to the Estimates. A 1 are agreed that the position ia fa3t becoming untenable. The obstinacy of the Govern ment in refusing to bring forward en? other business than "Supply" is unprecedented. Their own supporters are beginning to Bay that the interests of the country require a change in tbiu respect. There ia talk of a compromise that will secure at least some of the main objects for which the Opposition have been contesting, but nothing definite is yet to be done, or at least, if so, it is not known.