PARLIAMENTARY NEWS,

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 4061, 7 June 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS,

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[telegraphed by special correspondent.]

PEACE PRESERVATION BILL.

TiTßsp.vY, June fi.— The afternoon of today was occupied in discussing the Peace Preservation Bill in Committee. No opposition of a factious nature was made to it, and only a few amendments of any material character were offered. Te Wlieoro wanted other Justices of the Peace who were not officers of the Armed ConBtabnl.iry to be the Justices to try prisoners who might be arrested under tho Bill ; | but the amendment was not carried. The j Bill has not yet passed through Committee, but will do so during tho eveningsitting, und be read the third time to-night. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Financial Statement will not be made to-nisfht, owing to Major Atkinson being confined to his house by an attack of influenza. ILLNESS IN WELLINGTON. A good many members arc attacked by the same malady, the House is an establishment fur manufacturing such complaint, owing to its bail ventilation and draughty character. RAILWAY TO AUCKLAND. The Wellington press does not take kindly to tho line of railway from Tn Awmnnttt to Waitara, and pronounces in favour of the line west of Taupo down to the. main line at Palmerston, on the ground that it is the most direct line between Auckland and Wellington eitios. I think there will be so many claims on the coming loan that tho House will gladly save the £fioo,ooo which would bo about the difference in cost, in favour of the line to Waitara. Ido not think, therefore, there is any cause for alarm. I believe the majority of the Auckland members, and tlip whole of the Tnranaki members, would prefer to have no loan, If tho main lino was not taken to Waitara. However, it is a little premature to discuss matters before we know what the action of tho Government will be. NO ORGANISED OPPOSITION. The Opposition is not yet organised, and prefers to wait and watch events beforo deciding to take any definite action. The intention was to delay tho passing of the Peace Preservation Bill, but it has boon quietly allowed to slide. A PALTRY SPIRTT. The Affirmation (instead of oaths) Bill, which was rejected by the Council last session because it was brought in by Sir G. Grey, has passed without any difficulty when brought in by Mr. Whitaker. Such conduct on the part of a majority of the Council reflects severely on them as members of a deliberative body, as it proves that it was not tho principle of the Bill they disagreed with, but they wished to reject any proposed coming from Sir G. Grey. Such feelings should not influence a branch of the Legislature, and will do much to lower thst chamber in the opinion of the colony at large.