PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 185, 7 August 1890, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN REPORTER.)

-* Wellington, this day. THE RETRENCHMENT CRUSADE' Very little progress wa3 made with the estimates last nigbt, and on the whole the reductions made amounted tp quite a large sum. In the Crown Lands and Survey Department reductions amounting to £131 had been made at a previous sitting, and tho pruning hook wae again applied freely, notwithstanding repeated and vigorous protests by the Minister for Lands against the efficiency of the service being impaired. Tho reductions made were :— Commissioner of Crown Lands and Agent for Crown, Nelson and Weefcland coalfields, from £450 to £400; Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin, from £500 to £499 ; contribution to vote, "Mines," £115, struck out, and vote for travelling expenses, advertising, etc., was reduced by £1,000. The total reductions m;ado in the Crown Lands Department amounted to £1,676. In the Survey Department che Surveyor-General was reduced from £750 to £700, and Superintendent Head Office from £550 to £525. Other reductions made in the Survey Dβpirtmenfc were chiefly made by striking out increases on salaries over £200. The total reductions in the Survey Department were £393. Sundry reductions were also made under the head " Miscellaneous," the chief reduction being a reduction of £100 on the £150 asked to be voted for rent and endowments of Auckland and Parnell, opened under the village settlement regulations. INTERCEPTING SUPPLY. The inevitable amendment to intercept supply cropped up again last evening. Mr R. Reeves moved o resolution affirming the necessity for a change in tho incidence of taxation in the direction of removing duties on tea, sugar, and other necessaries of life, the taxation on which presses heavily on the working classes, for the abolition of the property tax with the view of substituting a tax on absentees and a graduated income tax on a sliding scale. The amendment went no further, being negatived without discussion, and the House got into Committeo of Supply without further delay. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. The Committee meb to-day and considered the report of last session on this subject, but arrived at no conclusion. They adjourned till Tuesday next. FLAX AND OTHER INDUSTRIES. The Committee will bring down a repor* on the beet means of encouraging tho flax industry on Monday. . JOTTINGS. The Gisborno Harbour Board Amendment/ Bill has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee for a report. Tho Lyttolton Harbour Board Loan Amendment Bill has been withdrawn. The Waiapu County Bill and tho Omaka Recreation Reserves Bill were passed through the final stages yesterday afternoon, i

The Auckland Hospital and Reserves Bill was read a second time in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon. Mr Macarthur has been appointed Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

Mr Cadman intends to ask the Government what has boon done towards redeeming the promise given by the Premier in reply to hie. question respecting the result of the Customs Duties Bill.

Mr R. Reeves proposes to aek the Government if in view of the large majority of the House in favour of woman's suffrage they will bring in a Bill to give immediate effect to the resolution in order that women may have an opportunity of exercising the franchise afi the approaching general election. Dr. Newman wante the Minister of Lands to reserve from sale all natural curiosities in the shape of hot or mineral springs and reserve all forests along the river banks. Mr Goldie is moving for, a return ehowing the amounts received by Sir Julius Vogel for services rendered by him to the State in salary, honorarium allowances or other ways in which a grateful country rewards the services of its public men.

The local-owned greyhounds Vixen, Snowball, and Blue Cap, have been sent) down/to Dunedin to take part in the approaching courßing meeting, to be held ab the Forbury.