Parliamentary Gossip.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 150, 25 June 1894, Page 3

Parliamentary Gossip.

MOTES FROM THE.OALLEeY

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PARLIAMENTARY RE

PORTER.)

Wellington, this day

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY. From the annual report of theSenace of the New Zealand Univoraity laid on the table of the House, I gather aome interesting figurea with regard to the state of University education in the colony. The total number of candidatea who presented themselves for examination in November and December in iho faculties of arts, science, medicine, laws and music, waa 957. The degree of Bachelor of Science was conferred on four candidatea in December, 1893, and April, 1894. Forty-fivo candido.es gained their L>. A. d6groo, while two were mado Bachelors ol Lawß. Only ono degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery waß conferred, and fourteen candidates gained the degree of Master of Arta. The coat of examination in the Now Zealand University for 1893 waa £2,200, while the total feea received wero £2,018 3s. In 1885, tho cost was £1,560 odd, and the fees were £639. But candidatea in that year numbered only 407, against 957 in 1893.

THE COOK ISLANDS,

A Parliamentary paper containing communications from Mr F, J. Moss, British Resident at Rarotonga, to Hiß Excellency the Governor, on tho state of government of the Cook Group, haH been laid on the table of the Houae. The Resident apeaka of the proceedings of tho Federal Parliament in the Islands as "marked throughout by intelligence and order," and remarks thab the progress made by natives in the conducb of business and in bho comprehension of duties "justifies strong bopea of succeaa in thiß novel experiment of selfgovernment by Maori people." He estimates the revenue of the group for the year ending 1894 ab 7,066 dollars. The estimated expendibure iB 6,940 dollars.

THE LIQUOR QUESTION

In many well-informed quarters it is anticipated that the question of direct veto will play an important part in tho present eeaaion. With ovor forty probibitioniabs at his back, Sir R. Stout appearß to bo confident of advancing the principle he has so closely identified himself with. Before proceeding with his Direct Veto Bill he will' learn to what extent, and in what direction, the Government intend to amend tbe present Alcoholic Liquor Sales Conbrol Act by tho Bill which thoy are going to intioduce. Should thab measure appear bo Sir Roberb and hia friends of a sufficienb reformatory character, then we may noo hear of Sir Robert's Bill ; bub those who know the extent to which the prohibition party desire to go are nob in the least hopeful tbab the Government Bill will prove aatisfactory to extremists, and look forward to another big fighb on the liquor question this session.

THE ALDIS CASE

I understand that there ia a strong pro" bability of the Aldis case being brought before Parliament thia session. No doubt, Sir Robert Stout will be the moving spirit in bhe matter.

JOTTINGS,

The members of both Houses have received gold railway passes, the leather ouoa having been discarded. Mr Button's name appears on the Committee to report upon the question of making provision for old age, and on the Standing Orderaand the Library Committee. Mr Crowther, on tho Maouiacturea and Industries Committee, the Railway Committee, and the Public Petitions Committee, "A" "toL." Of course, they may not agree to act on theße. Mr Saunders wiahee to see the Standing Orders amended, so aa to givo an original aa well as a casting vote to the Chairman of the Select Committee.

A good deal of disappointment has been expressed among tho labour members ab the facb thab no promise was made in the Governor's speech ot a reform its the tariff. They will bring pressure to bear on the Governmenb in order to secure a greater measure of protection to native industries. Mr Massey is proposed for the Public Petitions Committee, "AtoL," bhe Local Bills Commibbee, and bhe Native Atlaira Committee, and Major Harria for the Legal Committee, Public Petitions Committee, •-AtoL," Native Affairs Committee and the Houae Committee. Mr Lang for the Public Petitions Commibtee, "M to Z," Reporting and Debates Committee, and Public Accounts Committee, Agricultural and Pastoral Committee, Waste Lands Commitbee, Native Affairs Committee, and Railway Allairs Committee, and Mr Lawry for Agricultural and Pastoral Industries, Stock Committee and Railway Committee.

ln connection with tho railways of the colony two Committee*1 aro proposed. The first, moved for by Mr Seddon, will examine iuto and report upon all questions relating to the construction of railways. The second proposal which emanates from Mr Wilson, of the Opposition, ia for a Select Committee to which shall be referred all petitions and all mabcera relating to the railway system of the colony or railway management. Of course, only one Committee will be appointed, and in all probability bobh sides of opinion regarding railway matters will be represented in it. Mr E. M. Smith, with one eye on Taranaki, wants to know whether the bonuaea recommended by the Manufactures and Industries Committee of last session and approved of by the House of Representatives and the Government have been claimed or awarded.

Several of tha paragraphs in the Governor's speech will be criticised during the debate on the Address-in-Reply. I hear bhab the. paragraph on _ab-

struction and diaorder in the Lower House will be condemned. Sir Roberb Stout characterises such comment as unprecedented. A gentl9man of large Parliamentary experience tells me that if the new Standing Orders are adopbed by the House, the sea eion will be shortened by one month. The Hon. T. Kelly will move the Address in-Reply in tho Council, and the Hon. W Bolb will second it