Telegraphic News.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3471, 27 July 1899, Page 2

Telegraphic News.

[From Our Own Correspondent]. Wellington, July 26. The election of Mr John Hutcheson for Wellington was anticipated, but his majority was not expected to be so large. Mr Jellicoe is very unpopular, hence the explanation. The cities are lost to the Government apparently, and the Liberal party must be recruited by country constituencies. The result will be more Trades Union Laws. The Royal Commission apparently regard the Marine scandal as a very trifling affair. They have drawn up a list charges for counsel to answer. There ax - e no charges against the Government, and Mr Piran’s counsel will not be allowed to address the Court, as there appears to be nothing in the charges he made. It is plain from this that the report will be entirely in favor of the Government. Reading between the lines, one cannot help thinking that Mr Allport, and perhaps, Mr Glasgow, will be dismissed, but it is premature to say any more on this point. v Mr T. E. Taylor has discovered a loophole through which he can wriggle out of the pledge given jo Mr Morrison. The position is this: Mr Morrison said whiskey was carried to Balclutha in kerosene tins, and this Mr Taylor denied, and said he would net refer to prohibition again until after the licensing poll was taken if Mr Morrison could prove his assertion. It turns out now that whiskey was carried in kerosene boxes, which Mr Taylor says makes a great difference. Mr Taylor’s quibble elicited much laughter, but that did not disconcert him. The Land for Settlement Bill is still before the House and is meeting with much obstruction. The Premier said he would place it on the Order Paper for Friday, and no other business done until that is passed.

The Marine Scandal is now finished excepting the Commissioners’ report. Mr Pirani, who formulated charges against the Government, failed to bring forward a single witness to prove them, and his lawyer was not allowed to address the Court. This afternoon the time of the House was taken up with mud-slinging. Mr Fisher moved for leave to introduce a Purity of Parliament Bill, and seldom or never is such a motion opposed. A Bill at this stage is perhaps not drafted, at any rate not printed, and it is only the second reading that is opposed. In this instance a demand was made for the contents of the Bill. Mr Fisher explained his Bill, whichhe said was chiefly meant to require that persons making charges should be made to prove them ; also that charges of corruption made against Ministers would have to be proved. At present a man can say anything in Parliament, and is not responsible. Immediately Mr Fisher made known the contents of his Bill mud-slinging commenced, and was carried on at a lively rate until 5 o’clock. The Bun Tuck incident, the Marino Scandal, and all the other unsavory things that could be said, including the Checketts and Armishaw conspiracy, and so on, were discussed in sultry language. Mr Taylor said Mr Hall-Jones had lied, and, having to change this expression, altered it to “ untruth,” and then covered it with "incorrect,” and equally bitter things were said against Mr Taylor. Eventually the Bill was read a first time, and the storm passed over. The Financial Statement will not be introduced until the Land for Settlement Bill is passed, which is expected to be on Friday.