POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6048, 8 December 1897, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Dec. S. OPPOSITION CAUCUS. At the Opposition caucus there was a strong expression of opinion against coming back after Christmas. It was decided not to offer any factious opposition to the Loan Bill, but to block all other legislation till the Public Works Statement is brought down. A committee was appointed to select Bills which the party think should be slaughtered, and to watch the course of events in the House. the Left wing. No fewer than three caucuses were held this forenoon. That of the Independent Liberal party or Left Wing was attended by Sir Robert Stout and Messrs Pirani, Montgomery, Kelly, Smith and Taylor, while others of the party were excused. GOVERNMENT CAUCUS. At the Government caucus it was decided that the Public Works Statement and Estimates should be submitted forthwith. The Order Paper was carefully considered, and the conclusion come to that, with the exception of some half-dozen measures, all the business set down could be very well postponed till next session, On the Banking Bill, which was deemed an urgent measure, it was decided that the Bill should be confined to the Bank of New Zealand, the provisions dealing with other •banks being left for a separate Bill, and that the directors to be appointed should, if possible, be unconnected with the active management of any business. The Labour Bills were considered of such importance that they should be passed without delay. It was decided that the Premier should be asked to announce to the House, before the second reading of the Appropriation Bill, the scope of the Royal Commission on Police Administration, and the names of the Commissioners. It was also considered necessary that certain returns already ordered and not yet laid on the table of the House, should be furnished. The Standing Orders were considered, and the following decision was arrived at — That the Rules of Procedure in tho House should be amended to provide that late sittings should be prevented ; that fair opportunities should be given to members' to have questions or motions dealing with contested returns put, without debate, on the application of the mover, and that important policy Bills should be introduced with the Budget and the Public Works Statement, all of which should be submitted to the House within the first month of the session.