PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 9146, 24 June 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[By Eleotbio Telegeaph.] (Fboji oite Own Coehespondent.) WeMilN&ton, June 23. There waß quite a rumpus in the. Upper House this afteraoon over the Moorhouae Testimonial Bill, which several hon members thought was something like an insult to Mr Moorhouse and derogatary to him to accept. Some Uard knocks were exchanged over the matter, and it was compared to a bit of. Brummagem work. The result was the bill was thrown out. The real reason underlying all was that tho measure emanated from Sir George Grey. In the Lower House an unexpected explosion took place after a question by Mr Macandrew. as to whether the Government would table the evidence on which the report of the Civil Service Commission was based Mr Olliver did not display his usual astutenees in. his answers, as he said he thought there might be portions of the evidence which it would be inexpedient to publish. This acted like fire to tow, and some very hot remarks followed. There was some talk as to the persons who gave the damaging evidence to the Commissioners, and a? to whether, their na,me6 should appear, as some of the witnesses did not wish their names to be divulged. It was intimated that the evidence would be produced. It is said it is all now being copied out by some educated persons at present in Her Majesty's Gaol. Mr Russell said the man who would make such charges, and object to have his name disclosed, was a mean scoundrel. Mr Andrews and others strongly condemned the report being tabled without the evidence. Major Atkinson and Mr Eolleston defended the action of the Governmeat. Mr Rees' little matter of £300 illegally paid out of the Treasury, is to be referred to the Public Accounts°Committeo, to decide what action should be taken. — The very peculiar nature of our J.P. Roll is causing some attention A queer story is going about in connection therewith, namely, that a publican in Otago who is an uncertificated bankrupt, and whose house is the resort of the demi-monde and is otherwise scandalously conducted, is allowed to retain his name on the roll. It would be curious to know during what regime he was appointed. — It appears that several papers in the colony were enabled to publish the Civil Service Report on Saturday morning, though it was not laid on the table of the House till 12 3C that morning. Ministers say they had not read the report when laid on the table, but there is little doubt it was obtained through their assistance or connivance, as it appears only in papers supporting Government.— Citizen Jones is claimed by the Opposition, but his support is by no means certain, as he is particularly wary about saying or doing anything which may compromise him. — It is very curious to note how rapidly political changes take place. The more practical members of the Opposition now admit that what Mr De Latour and one or two more called a masterly stroke, when Sir George Grey jumped the leadership of the party, has proved a sad failure. It has had the effect of stiffening the backs of the Government supporters, and rallying them round the Government, who now sit entrenched as behind a stone wall. Whatever chance the Opposition had, was to have allowed the' proposals to be debated in Committee of Supply, as originally intended, when someof the other side, w,ho did not altogether approve of the proposals as a whole, might have been alienated from their allegiance. Now the discontented ones say that it is impossible to carry a direct want of confidence with Sir George Grey at its back, and they are therefore endeavouring to rouse up the Middle Party again. Consequently, Mr Ballance, who until now has been a sort of political exile, is freely spoken of as a leader of the new party. They say Sir G. Grey would be a good leader, but that he is not practical, and it is impossible to stand kis wayward eccentricities. There is hardly much chance of the division being taken before Friday or Saturday, and the Opposition expect Government to have a majority of eleven.