PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

Colonist, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8061, 4 October 1894, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

[Bx Telegraph.— Feom our own Corres* rONDENT.] Wellington, Ootober 3. The Consols Bill on its second reading in the Legislative Council yesterday was in imminent danger of being killed, and certainly would have been had the vote been [taken then. The debate, however, was adjourned till to-day, when tbe Colonial Secretary made an oliicial statement on behalf of the Government, that if the Council would pass the measure they would reduce the amount of console to be raised by one half, namely, to half a million in two annual quarter millions. This cor cc sion was the means of a numbet of votes being con vei ted in its favor, and the second reading v as carried by 16 votes to 13. If the latent incubation of the Minister of Labor, entitled the Undesirable Immigrants Exclusion Bill, comes b fore the House be will enjoy a lively half hour, the measure being almost universally condemned by members, and as one prominent Government supporter put it, "It is enough to make members feel ashamed of belonging to the Party." The Bill was dist ibuted last Dighfi under the name of the Premier, for which I understand he was not thankful, but the Minister of Labor wa3 so enamoured of his bantling that these copies were as far as possible withdrawn, and a re-issue made under his own name. It was thought that the ridicule to which he was exposed by hia Masters and Apprentices Bill would have proved a warning, but the Minister of Labor is a faddist of the first water, and a littlo egotistical, upon whom also warnings appear to be thrown away. Mr Mitchelson gave notice to-day to ask the Government if tbis measure bad been brought down with the sanction of the Cabinet. The Midland Eai!way Bill has reoeded from number twelve to fifteen on the Order Paper, and it ia doubtful when it will come on. Even Ministerial auttority, however, bas conceded that its chance of success is very feeble. The feeling of tfce Upper House appears to be against the Advances to Settlers Bill aB it stands, and the strong probability is that the Treasurer will have to accept a compromise which he refused to accept in the House if he would not destroy his hope of carrying tho Bill through the Council.

The Order P.iper is again increasing, six new Bils having been introduced to-day. There will surely bave to be another big slaughter of half done work.