POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 258, 2 November 1887, Page 5

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

DEtIVERING- THE STATEMENT,

HOW IT WAS RECEIVED.

(BY TELEGRAPH —OWN REPORTER.)

Wellington, this day. No sooner had the excitement consequent on the receipb of bhe result of the Melbourne Cup race cooled down, than a stampede was made for the Parliamentary Buildings in ordei tohear Major Atkinsondeliverhis Fiuan cial statement. Ministers had kept their proposals very secret, and as a consequence everyone was anxious to hear what the nature of therebrenchmentschemewas to be_ Ib was nob surprising, therefore, to find that the ladies' and strangers' galleries were filled, and several persons who had gained the right of entree to behind the chair and to the Speaker's gallery were unable to get sitting room. There were 75 members of the Elective Chamber and twenty Legislative Councillors present. A perusal'of the Statement will show that from time to time 1 had sailed very close to the wind in foreshadowing the nature of the Ministerial proposals, while my forecast of yesterday proves to have been absolutely correct. Major Atkinson spoke slowly and deliberately, but occasionally gob mixed over his figures. Little attention seemed to be given to the earlier part of the Statement, which dealt with the last year's deficit and explanations concerning the position of the Consolidated Fund, bub when the question of the tariff was reached, members seemed suddenly to become deeply absorbed, and followed the Treasurer closely. The statement that bhe Oabinet had determined not to deal with the tariff this session caused the protection clement to cry oub "Oh!" Whereupon Major Atkinson humorously remarked, "I will repeat' bhab again, sir, with your permission," and on his proceeding to way that the Government were strongly of opinion that ib should nob be touched until ib could be so dealc with as not to need further serious revision for a considerable time to come the free traders in the House had their turn, and applauded heartily. The intimation that substantial reductions would be made in Ministerial salaries and allowances, and that some residences would be sold were well received by thi. . Committee, but there was an ominous silence when tho reduction oi the honorarium and the increase of the Property lux to o'.ic penny were announced. Keferring to the proposed reduction of the number of members, Major Atkinson t-aid that though the .Statement promised the necessary reforms of the electoral laws next session, the Government proposed, if time permited, to take the work in hand this session.

Major Atkinpon was cheered on resuming his seat, and Sir Julius Vogel rose to ask when ib was likely that the tables to be appended to tho Statement would be printed and circulated.

Tho Treasurer replied that tho tables, together with the Estimates, would be distributed tho following day. Sir Julius Vogcl : When does the hon. gentleman propose discussion on the Statement?

Major Atkinson : As soon as it suits my hon. friend. 1 will name Friday if that will suit him. I should noi like to ask the House to interfere with private members' days so early in the session. • Sir Julius Vogel : Does tho hon. gentleman propose to take the discussion in Committee or in the House ?

Major Atkinson: I should suggest on going into Committee. Sir Julius Vogel: Usually it has been the case to take a week at least to consider the Financial Statement. lam not prepared to say, so far as I am concerned, and speaking only for myself, that ib will be necessary on this occasion to take a whole week. It may bo desirable to go on with the discussion at an earlier date, and perhaps would be in well to adjourn the matter till Friday as suggested, on tho understanding if we are not prepared to go into Statement then it can' bo postponed till the following day. Major Atkinson said ho was willing to meet the views of the House in the matter, and agreed to the course suggested. Sir J. wanted to know when the Public Works Statement was likely to come down, but Major Atkinson said he could not give tho information asked. The "Budget" proposals had better be discussed first.

Protectionists Dissatisfied,

The Financial Statement was well received, and is generally regarded as a masterly production. Of course, the protectionists are dissatisfied with the decision not to revise the fcariff during the present session, and may be depended on to enter their protest against the delay asked for, while some hon. members, goaded by the " roar for retrenchment," think that the reductions, especially in the Defence and Education Departments, are not sufficiently drastic.

A Criticism of the Statement

The Financial Statement is generally regarded as an able and honest attempt to grapple with the present difficulties, buu exception is taken to the loan projxisals and the increase of the Property Tax. Some honourable members say that deficiency bills will only prevent extra taxation this year and that no provision is made for next year, bub the tables appended to the Statement are not yet circulated. They will show that for the future we shall be able to live within our income, so recourse to ex tra taxation will be unnecessary.

Ike Opposition and the statement

The action to be taken on the Budget proposals has nob ycb been determined on, bub ib is sure to be met by an amendment mainly objecting to the postponement of ihe question of the encouragement to local industries. Leading Oppositionists say that theyhave not yet had time to consider the figures in the statement which they admit is an able production. Chairmen of Committees. The following appointments as Chairmen of Select Committees were made this morning : —Petitions Classification, Mr Reeves ; Goldfields, Mr Seddon; Local Bills, Mr Downie Stewart. The Midlaml Railway. Major Atkinson will this afternoon lay before the House the draft contract with the Midland Railway Company, and will propose certain alterations, but Government will restrict tho company in the choice of theirlands to the prescribed area originally agreed on. In place of moving for a Select Committee ho will move that the matter be considered in committee of the whole House, The New C/tistoiu-ifonsc The Minister of Works gave Mr Thomp" son to understand to-day that the erection of the new Departmental Buildings (Custom House) ab Auckland depended entirely on the House agreeing to the new loan. Not a penny is available now for building?, but if the loan is assented to, Mr Newson's tender will be accepted, and the work commenced immediately. Mr Thompson is urging the use of Blaikie's fireproof plaster.

Chairman of Qoldfields Committee. Mr Seddon was unanimously elected Chairmen of the Goldfields Committee today on Mr Riohardson'e motion.

Thames Workmen's Wagon. The moneys of the wages to men on Heath and Irwin's Hikutaia contract impGunded by order of the Thames Court are to be paid within the next two or three days. Mr Cadman has been agitating the matter. Ponsonby Postal Delivery. The Postmaster-General has promised Mr Peacock to inquire if an afternoon postal delivery beyond the Three Lamps, Ponsonby, can be effected without additional expense, and if so, to give it a trial. Auckland Petitions. Petitions have been presented from Catherine Coolahan, Jonathan Mann, William Henry Wakeham, James Young, Henry George Barber (to be released from the Lunatic Asylum), JamesConley, Edward Latimer Clark, George Hardy, and William Miller. Australasian Federation. Government have no intention of taking steps during the session or recess towards entering the Australian Federation. Poor Wellington! Mr Taylor has stated in the House his determination to move that the seat of Government be removed to some inland place in Canterbury. Native Land Legislation. Sydney Taiwhanga intends to introduce a bill to repeal the Native Land Administration Act. The Trunk Railway. Twelve petitions in favour of the Stratford route were presented to the House yesterday by Auckland and Taranaki members. The successive shots were fired off amidst a great deal of laughter. California Tbistle. Government are instituting inquiries relative to Californian thistle pest, and if found to be increasing legislation on the subject will bo introduced. Railway Servants' Grievances. The Minister of Public Works denies that there is a rule in existence providing for the dismissal of railway servants when they reach a certain age. Petitions Committee. The Petitions Committee is divided into two this session, notwithstanding the objection of the Opposition. Mr Turnbull, late chairman of the committee, was omitted from the members proposed at his own request. Anti Cninose Legislation. Mr Reeves wishes to amend the law so that the Chinese leaving the eclony may not bo granted a permit to return. Electoral Reform. Government hopes to bring down a bill this session dealing with the question of electoral law and purifying rolls. Railway Servants' Relief Fund. The Minister of Public Works thinks railway employees should form a relief fund of their own in case of sickness. Major Noake's Pamphlet. The Minister of Defence has promised to read Major Noake's pamphlet, which was issued contrary to the regulations, and then take what steps are necessary to maintain discipline. Denominational Education. Petitions in favour of State aid to Catholic education still continue to pour in. Delayed Telegrams Mr Reeves is urging Government to allow 25 words to be substituted for 10 words for delayed telegrams at existing rates. Railway Reductions. Mr Mitchelson denies that reductions have been made in the wages of railway employees at Dunedin from 7s to 6s 6d per day, or that instructions have been given to discharge men. Men on permanent way could not be dismissed, but some of the others will have to go in the course of retrenchment. Vailc's System. Mr Thompson will to-day give notice to nsk Government if they will give a trial to Vaile's system on the Auckland and Waikato or some other railway.