POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2835, 13 September 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(KY TKI.EORAPH—OWN CORKKsrONDBST). vVki.unotox, Last Xight. TMK FEDERAL PROPOSALS. TiiKitK was an exhaustive debate to-day lasting about four hours on the federation proposal, a whole host of amendments bein" moved by various Members who had ideas of their own as to the manner of appointing the delegates. The Government were anxious to cairy Mr Peacock's-pro-posal for three delegates from tho Houses and one from the Council, but the Ilou«.! apparently had determined that tbern should be only three delegate.* altogether, and it was ultimately decided that SuUeorge Grey ai.d Captain Russell should represent the House in conjunction with (ine member- from the Council. Captain Russell afterwards endeavoured to havu the election decided by ballot, this drew from Mr lirown the remark that that was an attempt to boycott Sir Goorge Grey, hut he was rebuked by the Speaker for attributing a motive of that kmd Tt transpired during the debate that Sir Geo. Grey was willing to act if chosen by the House, but not by the Government.

SIR GE<)RGE'S SI'OKES.MAN. During the discussion this afternoon on the |Federation proposal, the eccentric member fur Sydenham, threw the House into convulsions of laughter, by one of his characteristic speeches. He had been referring to the strong desire expressed by Mr Moss, Mr Richard Reeves and other members that Sir Ge». Grey should be one of the New Zealand delegates to the Federal convention, and he was subjected as usual to endless interruptions from various members, to each of which he addressed u little homily for disturbing the thread of his argument. Mr Taylor proceeded to inform the House that Sir (ieorge expressed himself «s follows with respect of his going to Australia as one of the delegates :—' Ini not of a going to go over there," here, his remarks were drowned in shouts of laughter at the notion of Sir George giving expression to his views in such a primitive stylo. Mr Taylor when he got the opportunity, said the House had not allowed him to linish his sentence. 'What he wanted to bring out was that Sir George hud said he was not going over then: as the nominee of the (Government. The moinb-r lor Sydenham wis apparently lost in astonishment when his second attempt was greeted with just as hearty I mghtor as tin: former one, but In. proceeded to expound his views on the ipiestion generally, and it is needles to say did not. unliithteii"thu House much on the sulfur,

MKJAIj (IOVKKXMKNT. The committee appointed lo consider the qii'Vihoii of local Rovernnient report that they have found themselves unable toeivo m itnre consirleration to this subject. They report, however, that th.-y believe the pr<!s«nt state of hied bodies haviiiK separato elections are too numerous, and should be. reduced in number, and that the remainder should have extended dutim and powers conferred upon them to enable them to <liscliar"i.sm:li functions as aie now performed by llmpital anil Charitable Aul Hoards, Land Hoards, Kdueation Hoaids, Licenain™ Co.iimittees, the Stock Department, ulc - Thecoinniittee also report that the tinau-n.-il portion ef loeal bodies should be astalili-hed on an assured basis to avoid flurtuition and uncertainty as far aa possible.

FIIFJC LABOUR QUESTION. linine<liately on inuetinß this nv.rni,lir the Defence Minister was askedl by the 2,S\«* f«r Clutha (Mr T, McKen,.e) whether the. (loverument intended to tike more ucilnnt measures for the protection of the citi/.eus. He considered that what had occurred in We.llineton was a perfect disgrace to any free city. The Defence Miii-ster said he had every reason to believe that steps would be taken by the proper authorities to see. that the peace was maintained. Spociul constables, hfl understood were being sworn in, but, of course, th-it w'is a matter for the justices rather than the Defence Minister ; however, there would be a sufficient, number of nolice to protect the free 1 ibour. Nothing further wis slid on the matter. THK RAILWAY DTSPUTK. Vlthough there seems to be a general concensus of opinion here—not only the whole of the press but all over the .city— that it would be extremely unwise for the Mouse to mtovferu in tli-i dispule between the UailwayCommissioners and their emnloyees a lenf.dity debate occurred tonii'lit on Ihe subject, which occupied the whole sitting up to the supper ■ulionrninent, and i- AM. J. I P-">., prooewlinß. Mr Hallance declared ... his oee-h thiil he had inforniatnm it his ' disposal lo the e.llect that Ihe Railway Commissioners wished to involve tneirmen in a strike, to which Sir J.jhn Hall replied that in the absence of Mr Balhince, pivine his authority or such a very serious charge as that the House was justified in refusing to believe his statement. . ~„

' " ]jAW AND ORDKK. 11. was (/.inerally uxpecce-ci thai, a inpnlitiim n[ y.>stnr(].iys flistiirb;mi:us wuuld take nHn- 1..' day when tin! fiw labniirars worn |~,vii,K' Hi.! wharf, and in of this, Miiiirlv two Imndroil »;.i!n:il iroiiKtahlrs „.,,.,, ..„,„:„ J,, this nfl(!inoun, including i, n iiv'lcii(liii"citizt!iisnf WellitiEton. Tliurn w's-itr,iwil"if SL.vi>i-al Ui.iH«aiid penplo mi tlni 'wharf at 5 ..'cluck, and llio spcciul constables were drawn up in line beyond tin: barrier, but them wns no intaifurtiice with the Ti.iii-rnioiiiHs beyond a little hixitiii" The I'less tn-nisiht, leferrms.' t<. allair, -ays the disturbance; last ni(?lit was a tiury coiimicntarv "ii the virtuous indii?nati-.ii of Messrs I.allaucn, Fish l-"i-li«r and others in the House, when the (i.iverninunt had on a former occasion made a demonstration of power to prevent Mich an occurrence. 1 lad such an additional for.v been present last n.L'ht, the enasmer through all parts of the city of labounnfj men, tired >vith their day's work, and f.untiriK in fear of their lives by a rabble, "PRiily shoutii.j,' their intentions to annihilate then:, would not have taken place, and Unionism itself, would not have received such a blow a.s this is sure to pfive if.