POLITICAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 143, 18 June 1891, Page 5

POLITICAL.

A gazette has been issued dissolving the New South Wales Parliament. The first election will be held on the 17th inst., and the last on July 3rd.

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.

TheGovernmenthavereceivedacommunication from Sir William Jervois, respecting the Agent-Generalship, but they refuse to make it public. It is understood he offers to take the position on certain terms.

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 wise to accept the proposals as they stand, as the Government is prepared for all emergencies, and is confident of the ultimate result.

Hon. Mr Seddqn at Dunedin on May 2? received a deputation from the Fair Rent League, who advocate the introduction of a Fair Rent; Bill. The Minister stated that while prepared to deal with casea of grave hardship, for which there were many precedents, the Government's duty was to conserve the Ql property, an| ; thje they would do,;" "*™S

On June 4 Messrs Seddon and McKenzie met Messrs Wilson and Scott at Chrisechurch and the difficulty concerning the Lake Brunner deviation was finally settled, Mr Seddon agreeing to recommend the Governor to aesent to the deviation on the terms settled by telegram between the parries. The Ministers said they intend making mining reserves of 2,500 acres before permitting the Company ;to deal with small areas of their land grant, bub these reserves would be made at once.

Among the Bills to be introduced by the Government is one for the establishment of a Maori village settlement, under the peroetual lease system. A small rental will be charged, and stringent conditions as to occupancy enforced. The right of transfer will be limited to other natives, and all precautions taken to prevent transfer to Europeans. The system will be applied especially to the South Island natives, many of whom are said to be almost homeless. The Government will buy the land necessary for settlement.

A meeting held on June 6th at Oamaru, to form a branch of the National Liberal Association, was attended by about 100 persons. Messrs Duncan and Earnshaw, M.H.R.'s, were amongst the speakers. The latter gentleman, in the course of his remarks, said he was a Socialist, and the Mayor, who occupied the chair, requested that he should be left oub from those who supported one of the motions, as he was nob a Socialist. A bit of an altercation occurred, but all the motions proposed were eventually carried, and a branch of the Association was formed.

A banquet was tendered to Major Steward, the Speaker in the House of Representatives, at VVaimate, Timaru, on June Ist, when 75 settlers from all parts of the district met to honour their representative. Major Steward paid a high tribute to Sir Maurice O'Rorke, the late Speaker, Hβ praised the Constitution and the operations of the present Ministry, and hoped the people would do its best to keep the Liberal Government in power, and thus assist in settling the bone and sinew of the country instead of driving it to other countries. He anticipated no difficulty in keeping order in the House. From the number of labour members, and from what he bad seen last session, he anticipated that any disorder would arise from some of the old members, bub he trusted tluib all would work together to maintain the reputation the Now Zealand House of Representatives had for good order. His reception was most enthusiastic.

Considerable interest was manifested in town on Juno 9fch at the return of Sir George Grey, M.H.K., from his Australian trip, and the reception accorded him'as he landed at the Queenstreet Wharf from the U.S.S. Company's steamer Wairarapa, after a four-and-a-half days' passago from Sydney, was a very cordial one. Sir George was met on the steamer by Messrs J. Beehan (Chairman of the Auckland Liberal Association), J. M. Shera, M.H.R., R. J. Duncan, and VV. J. Napier, Dr. Beale (Knights of Labour and Anti ■ Poverty Society), and also the Mayor of Auckland, Mr J. H. Upton. The Newton brass baud, as the steamer came in, played " Home, Sweet Home" and other suitable airs. A3 Sir George left the steamer he was given three hearty cheers by the crowd assembled. A large audience assembled on June 10th in the Academy of Music, Lome-street, in order to welcome Sir George Grey back to this city, and also to witness the presentation of the address from the various societies. As usual, a number of ladies were amongst the aulience, and on the platform were representatives of the various Liberal organisations of the city. An address of welcome was presented to Sir George Grey by the members of the Auckland Liberal Association, the Trade and Labour Council, the Knights of Labour, and the Anti-Poverby Society. Sir George suitably replied, giving a lengthy and eloquent address.

A large-attended meeting was held in the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, on May 27 to inaugurate the National Liberal Association. Mr Seddon, Minister of Public Works, was in the chair, and gave a long speech dealing with the policy of the Government, in the course of which he said that the attitude of the Ministry towards the capital of wealth and the capital of labour was one of justice. The righfcs of both would be respected and maintained. Labour and capital had not been conserved in the past, as was evidenced by the census returns. Settlement and cultivation must be provided for, and regarding the prosecution of public works, co long as he was Minister they should be carried on on co-operative principles. There were some 500 men in the Government employ constructing public works, and he asked where was revolution ? Ib was not the strong bub the weak also who were employed, and as they worked in small gangs the wages they earned were equally divided, bo that the strong were helping the weak. They were making an average of 9s per day, the extra shilling representing what would have gone to the contractors, who would have made thousands, to be invested probably in Australia. The Association was formed, Sir R. Stout being appointed president. Ib was stated bhafe ifc would be but a Dunedin branch of a New Zealand Association. Fourteen other branches are said to be in process of formation.

The Civil Service Bill provides for the setting up of a Civil Service Board with the Colonial Secretary as chairman. The service is to be classified in eight divisions. The fireb division is to consist of officers receiving salaries ranging from £450 to £800. Its subdivision is to be done by the Governor in Council, and power is given to place in the first class of division such other officers than heads of Departments as the Governor thinks ought from the nature of their duties to be so included. The ■second division will comprise officers with salaries ranging from £365 up to £440, the third division from £280 to £340, the fourth division £220 to £265, the fifth division £180 to 210, the sixth division £140 to £170. the seventh division £100 to £130, the eighth division (cadets) '£35 to £75. On or before the close of each financial year the Board is to cause an inquiry to be made in each department as to what officers have by diligence and merit become entitled to favourable consideration. If the Board is satisfied thab some alteration in the status of all or any of such officers in the nature of an increase of salary is desirable, ib is to recommend the Government to make provision accordingly. Every officer thereafter is to be entitled to advance by one class each year.