Parliamentary Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 10, 6 July 1894, Page 18

Parliamentary Notes.

We have now at las f , openly declared, ihe Premier on one side and the Antipremier on tha other. A mo'ion of Sir Robert Stout accepted by Mr Sod don as one of no confidence, relative to the, appointment of a Sergeant-at-Arm°, leaves the matter no longer doub'ful. Sir Robert was badly beateD, his motion being lost by 48 to liJ but he has at length taken his place without a veil, and, as we have said, we any hail him without risk of contradiction as Aatipremier.

The dis entient voica in the Council to an address of congratulation to H;r Majesty the Qaeeo on the birth of the son of the Duke of Tork was that of the Hoa Mr Bolt. We do not know that the note uttered was a particularly sensible one, and, indeed, considering whom it was that uttered it, we should bs surprised if it were. Mr Bolt professed his readiness to second a vote of condolence had any member of the Royal Firmly died. Nof, we conclude, that he wished for the death of one of their Royal Highnesses, and to desire that of Her Majesty would be treasonable — but, having sonaa nonsense, as usu^l, to talk, he blundered in talking it. He refuse! to commit himself, as a supporter of the House of York against the House of Fife, and, therefore, opposed the motion . We never know how to appreciate common sense, until we hear some goose or another who has not a grain of it.

The prospects of the Conciliation and Arbitration Bill appear pretty fair. Toe fact that the Bill contains a clause making arbitra* tion compulsory, gives it full significance. Wi hout this provision, the proposed measure would necessarily ba worthies-". Ia this respect New Zealand may set a very useful example.

Mr Earnshaw, too, is regarded as a pronounced opponent of the Ministry. Whether Mr Earnshaw also looks forward to heading a Cabinet we do not knovr. Prepoterous, however, as the idea stems, it is not altogether impossible. There is, palpably, a great deal about the Hon. Member that ia very ridiculous.

Sir Ruben Stout, neverthsless, has occasionally rather a sensible notion. His proposal, for example, that a certain portion of a man's property should be guaranteed a?ain6t seiaure for debt is of snch a kind. In some of the American States such a rule obtains, and we understand it works with much succass. As to the Bill respecting which Sir Robart spoke— that forbidding all impria)nment for debtit do3ssaem, on the whole, rather doubtful.

-•«AU the politics of the week sink into insignificance, at Jeait where the interest shown by the public ia concerned, in comparison with the Act passed to guarintee the issue by tha Bink of New Zrland of shares to the amount of £2 000,000 sterling The measure was pressed by the Ministry on the House as most urgent, and to prevent a disaster that must seriously affect the Colony. No opposition was offered, though some hon Members disclaimed all responsibility in the matter. It is generally believed that the relief thus given to the Bank will produce happy results, not only where the institution itself is concarned, but for the country generally.