PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 142, 17 June 1891, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(BY TELEGRAPH.

—OWN BEPORTSB.)

Wellington, this day. HOW THE STATEMENT WAS

RECEIVED.

The Financial Statement was road to a full House,bhegalleiies being fully occupied, while nearly every member of the Houao was in his seat. Mr Ballanca was frequently applauded, and on rising in tho House was warmly congratulabed. The Statement is generally regarded as an able one, and is likely to command almost unanimous approval by bhe Governmenb supporters. It is recognised bhab tho large landholders will be hard hit by the taxation proposals, the effect of the graduated land tax being to relieve the small owners to the extent of £61,890 and impose that amount on the largo landholders. The Statement has been -splendidly received by members of the House, and will certainly tend to harden the Governmenb parby. Leading members of the Opposition, too, soem to take to it favourably, but, of course, the repeal of the property tax will be resisted by them. Under the taxation large land companies will have to contribute far more to the revonua than hibherbo. Less inberesb than usual attaches to the estimates, inasmuch as the departmental retrenchments have already been made public. The annual appropriation out of ordinary revenue asked tor is £1,948,769, or £3"2,650 less than was rated last year. Among the higher officers who are set down for increases are : The Secrebary bo the Treasury, from £600 to £650; the Registrar of Friendly Societies is brought up to £350, an increase of £25 being granted. Under-Secretary to Justice Department, from £425 to £450 ; Chief Clerk, from £300 to £325 ; Chief Clerk in Customs Department ia raised by £25 ; collector, Dunedin, by £25 to £525; Deputy Commissioner of Stamps ab Auckland by £25 to £350. In fche Stock Department a new office is appointed by the creation of a Chief Inspector, who gets £500, and the salary of Under-Secretary Elliott, who is transferred from the Lands to the Mines Dopartment.is retained at £550. The vote for tho Thames, Otago, and Reofton Schools of Mines is raised by £200 to £1,400 ; officers of the Post and Telegraph Department are graded in conformity with fche classification scheme of lasb Parliament, the increase for the year being less than £7,000. For the expense of the census and collection of agricultural statistic £15,500 is set down, and £13,3000 for this year's proportion of the cost of the triennial property assessment. The Treasury Department requires a vote of £5,122 bo provide for the paymont of the New Plymouth Harbour Board coupons, which became due in 1889, and now need to be written off. In the Marine Department a vote of £10,000, being the colony's proportion of the cost of the erection of a lighthouse at the Snares, is asked ; and in the Native Department £850 for expenses in connection with the Native Land Laws Commission. In tho Defence Department appears anewvote of £700 fora commandant to be imported from England. The cost to the colony of the Royal Commission re the Trust OfKco was £2,500 ; the increases in the Governmenb Insurance Office are: Acfcuarv, by £50 to £sbO ; accountant, by £25 to £350 ; Chief Clerk, by £25 to £275; district ap-enb, at Dunedin, by £50 to £450. The resident agent at Napier (£300) is abolished. THE ELECTORAL BILL. A very favourable impression has been produced by the Electoral Bill introduced by the Government, the second reading of which was moved yesterday afternoon. Tho Government in framing fche measure took into consideration tho question of electoral rights, bub came to the conclusion thab the system was cumbersome and would lead to trouble. The one man one vofco, introduced for the first time in 1889, is made to apply to by-elections. The Governmenb have under consideration whether it would nob have been advisable to adopt simply a residential franchise, but it appeared to them it would do no harm in allowing the owner of the property to register on a property qualification, provided his name is nob on more than one roll. A property owner would have to elect, however, upon which roll his name shall be placed. It is also proposed to make the one man one vote principle applicable to the Maoris and it is left for the native members to suggest whether they shall be placed on the general roll for tho colony in order thab change of residence may not be involved as qualification, as ab present. It is provided that a man may go away from a district for 6 months, and nob have hie name removed from the roll, provided he shall reside six days together or at intervals in the district. VVith a view to the purging of rolls it is proposed thab after each general election all persons who have nob recorded their votes shall be struck off the rolls, bufc this will not preclude them from being placed on the rolls again in the ordinary course.

The discussion on the second reading of the Bill was very brief, and was interrupted by the dinner adjournment.

INTERCHANGE OF COMPLIMENTS.

The Premier took the opportunity yesterday afternoon to congratulate members of the Opposition, and the Hon, J. Bryce on tho appointment of thab gentleman to the leadership of the Opposition. Hβ heartily assured the hon. gentleman on behalf of the Government that he would always be men in a friendly spirit ia conducting the business of the House.

In reply, Mr Bryce expressed his gratification and thanks for the terms in which he had referred to his position, and added that so far as his influence would extend it will always be given willingly in the direction of assisting in the good governmenb of bhe colony. He bhought he could also promise for hie colleagues thafc tho House would never set up obstruction for obstruction's sake, and where they could fairly approve of the Government measures would give their hearty support to enable such measures td become law. DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION. Insinuations having been made that the Hon. Mr Fisher obtained the Roman Catho-

lie support for his election by promising to support Mr Fyke's Bill to give State aid to denominational schools, Mr Fisher replied somewhat warmly. He said he was strongly opposed to the granting of State aid to denominational education, and was bound by no promise to support Mr Pyke'a Bill. The Ministry, on the contrary, he asserted, were pledged, and he urged that their intentions would bo known. On Mr Reeves replying, he said the Ministry was divided on the question, as was also the late Government, and they would therefore not introduce any Bill giving State aid to denominational education as sl policy measure, as it would not ropresenfc either the views of the Government or their party or of any party that had ever been in the House. SIR GEORGE GREY ON THE FINANCIAL PROPOSALS. As so much depends on Sir George Grey'a views of the taxation proposals contamed in the Financial Statement, I interviewed him and invited an expression of opinion on the subject. Sir George was pleased to hear that the proposals were so well received as an evidence that the people of the colony are fully awakened to their interests. On a superficial view of the taxation proposals, he atppeared favourably impressed. He remarked on the fact that it is proposed to exempt improvements on land only to £3,000, and pointed out that this would hare the effect ot discouraging niatiy valuable industries, which would involve a much gi'eater outlay. Sir George Grey'a contention ia that all improvements should be exempt, but he says there may be reasons for adopting the proposals of the Government, of which ho cannot speak until he has fully considered them. He recognises that a difficulty may be experienced in passing these measures through the Upper House, and says the Liberals may have to drop everything until reform is effected there. PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES. Ministers recognise that the taxation proposals will probably be thrown out in the Upper House. The Premier considers, in view of their moderation, that the Conservative party will be wiee to accept the proposals as they stand, a3 the Government is prepared for all emergencies, and is coniidenb of the ultimate result. NEW PLYMOUTH BONDHOLDERS. The Government have received a communication from New Plymouth harbour bondholders offering to accept 4 instead of 6 per cent, if the Government guarantee the interest. JOTTINGS. Mr Tho3. Thompson is moving with the object of getting from tho Minister of Education his views on the subject of quarter money charges in the public schools. The Government fully recognise the desirability of establishing a reciprocal tariff treaty between New South Wales and New Zealand, and communication will be carried on with a view to bring aboufc that

SIR GEORGE GREY ON THE FINAN

result.

CIAL PROPOSALS,

Mr R. Thompson has been informed that if found desirable power will be given to trustees of country cemeteries to lease portions to provide a fund for improvements.

The Government propose to gather the necessary details to enable New Zealand to be represented at the Chicago Exhibition.

The Poscmaster-Generai does not coneider it practicable to adopt the suggestion made in the House to extend the Post Office Savings Bank to enable it to do good business.

The Government have no idea of proposing that the colony should take over the Manawatu Railway this session, although they agree with the Railway Commissioners as to the desirability of doing so.

The Premier informs Mr T. Thompson that early opportunity will be given members to discuss whether the Government should not be responsible for the legislative estimates.

The Hon. Mr McKenzie, in reply to Mr R. Thompson, states that the authorities have instructions to prevent vessels discharging ballast in the channel of Whangarei Harbour. Mr Fisher has given notice of a Book Purchasers' Protection Bill.

Mr O'Conor is moving for a Committee to inquire into the working of the Government Insurance Department.

Hon. Mr Reeves agrees with the House that it is desirable to have an expression of opinion from the House on the desirability of having uniformity in the school text books throughout the colony.

Hon. Mr McKenzie says the officer in charga of the Waitomo caves was retrenched because the caves belong to the natives, who, he believes, fully recognise their value and will take care of them.

The Government, at the instance of Mr Palmer, will muko arrangements for signalling vessels passing Russell when necessity arises. They cannot, however, see their way to complete communication with wire with the Ivorth Cape, the estimated cost being £4,000.

Mr R. Thompson is annoyed because a Commission has not been set up to inquire into the Atkinson-Sperry charges. The Premier says the Government were unable to set up a Commission, owing to parties not agreeing as to the facts to be placed before the Commission.

A laugh was caused in the House during the discussion of the Electoral Bill. Mr O'Conor wanted the Government to " include " females, whereupon a wag interjected''embrace," and the hon. members responded humorously.

Mr Bryce presents a petition from Jno. Rochford asking for inquiry into the manner in which the native survey of the Ohuru South block was conducted, and for compensation for injustice. Mr G. G. Hawson, of Mercer, urges his claim in respeot of wattle planting through a petition presented by Mr Bryee. Mr Houston presents a petition from Jaa. Simpson, Awanui, in respect of land claims. There has been laid before the House a report by Auckland justices in which the necessity for an improved system of dealing with youtha and children convicted of offences against law is strongly urged. Mr F. Lawry presents a petition from Messrs Clark and Crozier urging their claims as old soldiers.

Twelve Kermadoc settlers petition the House for relief in consideration of their sufferings in an unsuccessful efiorb to settle at these islands.