POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 473, 28 June 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[special to standabd.J Wellington, Thursday. It was ths Hon. Mr Mitchslson who read the Financial Statement. Sir Harrv Atkinson had been strongly urged by his medical advisers that his reading of the Statement would lead to grave consequences to h’s health. When the Premier entered in the evening he was henrtilv obeere I by Oppositionists as well as Ministerialists, and he Baanv-d much affected by the sympathy shown for him. When moving that the House go into Committee of Supply, he spoke in a very tremulous tone, expressing his gratitude to members for their consideration iu allowing ths statement to ba reed by one of his colleagues. He resumed bis scat amid cheers. Mr Mitchelson’s style of reading was very monotonous, and even on the Ministerial side it wee hard to arouse enthusiasm. The delivery occupied nearly two hours. After the delivery of the Financial Statement the Premier moved a resolution au horising the continuance of the primage duty of one per cent, for three months longer, this being intended as a provision until the House had decided what to do in the matter. After some quibbling, the resolution was carried on the voices. Mr Fisher is moving in the direction of getting the Government banking account removed from the Bank of Naw Zealand. Mr Either has been rasping up the Government on the indebtedness of two Ministers to a banking institution. He wants to know whether the Government or any individual member has got the courage to prosecute Fair Play for the statement that two Ministers owed the Bank of New Zealand £60,000, and for certain other statements of a damaging character. MINISTERIAL CAUCUS—SIR HAREY ATKINSON TO REMAIN THE NOMINAL HEAD. [special to the standard.J Wellington, last night. A caucus of the Ministerial party was held to day to consider the probable retire, ment of Sir Harry Atkinson, and the course that should be pursued. Seventy four invitations had been issued and 51 members n ere present. Sir Harry said he had not called them together simply to get their sympathy, but because of the state of bis health. Last session when he started his health was very bad, but his will power was such that ho thought ha might be able to get well through. Towards ths end of the session ha had absolutely broken down. His doctors had

said that his complaint was nervous exhaustion, that the arteries had become hardened and unelastio, requiring more work to be done by his heait, and that it he persisted in carrying on he might be suddenly stricken down with apoplexy or paralysis. The other day when he proposed to read the Financial Statement in the House his doctors said that if he persisted they would not be answerable for him that evening. He certainly was not in a oondiiion to do the work required of him during the session, or on the other hand to go to the country to contest a general election at once. There we-e therefore two courses open for them, either for him to resign his position as Premier and have a reconstruction of the Ministry or that he should remain in Wellington as nominal head to advise lii colleagues in carrying nn the work of the country. Some times when he had ob ai: e 1 rest he was well for an hour or two, but as soon as he commenced work he became as bed as ever. His only desire was that he might give his services in the best interests of the country, and after having made that statement he would leave room so that the meeting j might determine what they would do. Mr Scobie McKenzie said he understood the Premier would simply do as much for the party as his health would permit. Mr Pyke moved a resolution to the effect that the Premier should act as nominal head of the Government, and that one of the other members of the Government lead the House. Considerable discussion ensued, in the course of which it was asked who would be leader of the House. Mr Mitchelson replied that that question could not be considered until the decision of the party with reference to the position of the Premier was settled. In the course of the discussion Captain Bussell said a mistake had evidently been made in supposing that the Premier was to bo only nominally head of the Ministry: he was to be actual head, but instead of taking part in debates in the House he would remain in his own home, and would there quietly look upon the conduct of things and advise his colleagues. He had no doubt I the adoption of that course would ! strengthen rather than weaken the ! Ministry. The Hon. Mr Bryce thought J Mr Pyke’s motion was most convenient far the party, He reminded them that Sir Harry Atkinson was a man with a very active mind, and great courage. It he remained at ths head of the parly, there was reasou to fear he would not carry out his medical officer’s instructions, remaining in office at the risk of his health, If Sir Harry Atkinson was prepared to take that course, however, and the Ministry to take the responsibility of it, he would acquiesce. After further discussion the motion was then put and carried, with one di sentient, Mr Barron. JOTTINGS.

Mr O’Connor intends to move that the exemption to the Property Tax Act be amended so as to bring shipping under assessment. Mr Samuel has given notice of hie intention to introduce a Quinquennial Parliaments Bill. At the request of Mr Goldie, Mr Samuel, solicitor, has undertaken to prepare a Bill legalising marriage with a deceased husband’s brother. A number of now Government measures have passed the second reading, including the Sheep and Cattle Bill, both of which were referred to the Stock Committee. Sir J. Hall intends to note that in the opinion of the House the right of voting at the election of members of the House of Representatives should be extended to women. In reply to Mr Monk the Minister for Lands said a Bill would bo introduced for the prevention of “ duinmyism," and forbidding speculative acquisition of Crown lands at Government land sales. Sir George Grey’s Law Practitioners Bill passed its second reading by a majority of 35, against 22. The Bill was committed for July 10th, and made first order of the day.