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PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(IIV TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER.)

Wellington, this day.

OLD SOLDIERS' CLAIMS. j The Bill which Government are drafting relative to the claims of old soldiers and volunteers is likely to be introduced to" morrow. It provides for the appointment; of a fresh commission to inquire into the claims sent in since last report.and will also contain a supplementary list of claims allowed. DILATORY MEMBERS. It is said that members have nob been so dilatory in coming to Wellingbon for d scharge of their Parliamentary duties for years. Scarcely one half of the members had arrived up till Saturday, but a number put in an appearance yesterday. NAVAL LAW. In view of the colony being a naval station, Government are preparing a Bill providing for penalties on landsmen for offences interfering with discipline on vessels. The offences provided for nre harbouring deserters, taking liquor on board, and others included in tho Imperial Statute. LAND AND INCOME TAX. The probabilities of a fight on the ques : tion of a land and income tax as against a property tax are increasing as members continue to arrive. The Premier holds that it is impossible that a change can be made in bhe present circumstances of the colony, and if it were insisted on there is no doubt he would leave it bo others to carry it into effect. FAIR RENT BILL. The Government have forwarded to Sir George Grey a copy of the Fair Rent Bill, with an invitation to bring it forward, but no answer has yet been received. It will bo remembered that last session Sir George Grey and the Government both brought in Bills somewhat similar. The measure provides for a Court to adjust rents for the relief of Crown tenants.

THE WAIPU LICENSING- ELECTION

Messrs Thompson of (Marsden) and Goldie have interviewed the Minister of Justice with a view to tho Governor-in-Council appointing tho Licensing Committee, who have been thrown out by the blundering of the County Council officers at Waipn. After going carefully into the matter the Minister of Justice concluded that there was nothing for it bub a fresh elecbion under section 46 of the Local Election's Act. The written opinion of Mr Fergus was submitted to Mr Theo. Cooper, •who coincides with the Minister that this is the only course the Government could take in keeping within law ; but whilst the Government had no power to interfere in the matter of the Licensing Committee, it having come before the law courts, they have agreed to exercise their rights under clause 227 of the Licensing Act and validate any irregularity that might arise in connection with the taking of tho local option poll on Monday next. It is understood that a desire has been expressed ab Waipu by those opposed to bhe temperance interest to have a nominated Committee, they having two members on the Committee, and the temperance people three; but as two members of the Committee can grant a wholesale license without the consent of the majority being first obtained, this will not be accepted. Rumours are current here that an attempt is being made to obtain a club license, but without much prospect of success. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Government are very decided on the point that no new appointments will be made to the Legislative Ccuncil till the number has fallen below one-half of the number of the Upper House. There are now 45 members of the Council, so that the number would require to be brought clown to 37. There has been a great deal of talk here lately relative to a statement originally published in the Auckland Star that it was proposed to call two members of the Civil Service to the Council. It transpires that there was some ground for the rumour, although no action is to be taken. Tho Civil servants referred to are Major Campbell, Clerk of the House, and Mr Seed, of the Customs Department. Both o-entlemen referred to desired to be called to the Upper House. Mr Seed rel-s on a promise to that effect which he cmims was made to him by the late Government.

TAX ON TEA AND SUGAR. The "New Zealand TiniAs " a couple of

days ago pub forward a "feeler" to the effect that the new tariff would impose extra taxation on sugar and tea. Though no definite decision has been arrived at by the Cabinet, I believe I am justified in asserting that when the Budget comes down it will be found that the sugar duty be unaltered. It is highly improbable also that the tea duty will be changed. THE HESSIAN FLY. Dr. Hector reporting to-day on the Hessian fly, says he thinks it unlikely that the pest may appear again for many years. So far the Hessian fly has only been found in New Zealand in districts where grain is not grown to any great extent and from which neither grain nor straw is exported.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18880514.2.32

Bibliographic details

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1888, Page 5

Word Count
824

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP. Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1888, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP. Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1888, Page 5