PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 2639, 6 October 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

[FROM OUR.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] /. . . r~~ , ■ ...... SETTLEMENT WORKS ADVANCE BILL. Friday, October 5. — The Waste Land ß ' Committoo have reported with respec^ to tlie Settlements Works Advancements Act. They recommended that the Act be not passed. DISQUALIFICATION. The report of' the Disqualification Committee re Mr. Kennedy was under the consideration of the House, and after some debate ifc was agreed to accept tbe report as a whole. Mr. Rolleston moved that certain words be added to the effect that Mr. Speaker admonish Mr. Kennedy for knowingly trying to evade the spirit of the Disqualitjoatioq. -Act by taking a contract 'ioTtlie name of another person, but as the Act itself did not disqualify him, tha House' declined to admonish tbe honorable gentleman. DISQUALIFICATION BILL. — A LAWYKR CAUGHT IN ITS MESHES. The Select Committee on Mr. Lusk's case reported that he received money for drafting a Bill, and for services in connection with it in the House. Tho Committee have, made no specific attempt as to whether he has viojated the standing orders, which state " that any member receiving money for promoting a Bill in Parliament js guilty of a high .crinje and .misdemeanour ;" but has left the House to form its own opiuiou on the matter. As the report and evidence has been ordered to be printed, I suppose it will be dealt with on Monday. XHE POLITICAL SITUATION is about the same. The Opposition does not stand so high. Thero is rather a feeling of depression on their part. It is thought that if the Government supporters stand firm shoulder to shoulder that the difficulty will be tided over for this session. Such is the present feeling, and it is alleged that the Opposition is mistaken in supposing that any persons will follow the lead; of Messrs. Ballaoce, Curtis, and Sharp, A few days will decide the matter.