SESSIONAL NOTES.

West Coast Times, Issue 12002, 30 August 1901, Page 4

SESSIONAL NOTES.

(Our Special Correspondent )

Like the fireman who ascended from the stockhold to instruct and dictate to the skillful mariner, did irresponsible members, whose obstinacy was only equilled by their distressingly hazy ideas of finance, rise contradictory and critical when the Premier with his superior knowledge of theireqnirements of the Advances to Settler's Office proposed raising a one million loan. "Dangerous infringement upon the safeguard of the people's liberty" and such like awesome charges were hurlei against the Govercment till tha Premier disgustedly rose and threatened to make a no-confidence motion of the proposal to reduce the sum by one half, whereupon Monkro^e affrighted and eagerly protested that the Opposition had no desire to time the Government out — Buch is the inconstancy of our Conservative friends.

The Old Adam is strong in the member for Riccarton. He was slanging the Premier for graating last year's forty pounds bonus and when reminded ' that he not only took but aleo voted for the grant excused himself on the grounds of having been beguiled by two freuds. The seductions of Russell greatly diverted the members.

Fisher's comment on this political weather-cock. "Everything in turn and nothing long, a persistent rail rider."

Hutchison, who deemed his nautical language sufficient qualification for position of Minister for Marine, passed judgment on Napier's speerh thusly :— "11b main ingredient, sophistry protruding the jib-boom of a ship."

Berries criticising Napier's outpomings and physiogonomy in the one breath exclaimed with righteous indignation 'Obi that such illiberal utterance should come from a liberal mouth."

Hogg, on Thursday evening dieted the Bouse to repletion on his Rabbit Nuisance Bill. Su all wonder that weary satod uiembeas voied him a nuisance also, long before the bill was worried through committee, however, in removing the almost absolute power from the too often biased inspector and placing in the hands of a judicating magistrate he is decidedly taking a step in the ri<ght direction.

In the debate upon the report of the Public Accounts Committee the Opposition bemoaned the fact that the amending of the Public Revenues Act had shorn the Auditor-General of his power and placed it in the hands of one man to wit, the Premier. Do the Opposition desire to fix the Auditor-General up as triplets? Do they not realise that he also is only one man. Hall Jones said that before the Act was amended constitutional government did not exist in New Zealand because the Auditor-General was trying to usurp the functions of the representat yes of the people. Napier also pointed out that Parliament was supreme and no officer of State ought to be vested with power to interpose to prevent expenditure of meney by the representatives of the people. The Prohibitionists are again on the war path they have petitioned Parliament re more rigid enforcement of licensing laws —they declaredjthey have ferrited out fres-h enormities— new instances of depravitj — many breaches in many places, more laxity in the police force, a shortage of the number 01 regnlation steps taken whilst on his beat by the man in blue &c great excitement— toothsome details expected daily.

The Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill decreases royalty on coal minimum two pence' maximum one shilling pei ton — Royalty on the Mokihinui Mine leased on co-operative system is to be paid. Miners aie granted the privilege to appoint two independent perepns to inspect and ieport upon the workings, etc of the mines

The sick and accident fund contribution in this connection paid by mine owners is fixed at % per ton on fall coal sold in the preceeding three months except brown coal and lignite the rate for which shall be J per ton.

In the debate on the Financial Statement Capt Russell was pleased to be facetious he likened the Piemier to Don Juan the hero of Mozarts' opera '•Don GovanDi" he gave a dramatic synop sis of the opera, comparing Mr Seddon's doings to the actions of thft questionable Don and finally prophesied that the Premier, like him would presumably disappear in blue flame borne by the cvi ; one to the depths of Infe*oo. Great was the merriment of the Houso when the Premier retorted. He would have- something to carry

Witheford and McLachlan have been granted a weeks leave of absence in which to be sick. A periodical sickness alao denies the Speaker to the House and Deputy-Speaker Guinness " fills the bill."

That Colonel Fraser will ever resume his duties as Sergeant at arms is doubt f ul as his health continue? to decline* Major Shepard secretary to the speaker is spoken of as his successor