PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 179, 29 July 1913, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY. .(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary neporter.) WELLIN-'JTOX, this day. RIM.UTAKA KAIL-WAY ROUTE. The Jiinister of Pu-bli-c Works -will receive a deputation on Wednesday representing all the local bodies in the Wairarapa, urging the deviation of fche Riinutaka railway route, ami the prosecution of an East Coast railway. Thie raises a very interesting point in political history, for it is said that there would have been no Rimutsuka incline, with its mormons maintenance and construction cost, but for the fact that a former Government holding office by a slender majority, would have pone out of power if the railway had not been sent through Hutt Valley, thus serving a dou-btful members' constituency. Th-e deputation will demonstrate that there is a much easier route to be got by following the East Coast. • ■ THE TARIFF OUTLOOK. One of the interesting speculations about the lobbies is the question: "How far does the Government propose to go with tariff revision this session?" It is practically certain that the House will bo asked to agTee to a proposal for reciprocal tariff relations with Australia, but Ministers are seeretivp at present concerning the proposal beyond a general concession that reciprocity proposals are on the programme. The opinion among old Parliamentarians is that no a-ttempt will be made this year to coquette with the tariff itself in the way of revision; in short, what with land and labour legislation, income taxation, naval defence. Council reform, and other measures looming a<head, no time will be left for such a lengthy business as Customs revision. Apart from all other considerations, a number of members with past experience frankly udinit their relief at the remoteness of any possible attempt to tackle the question this year. HARBOUR BOARD AFFAIRS. Pending a Royal Commission, it is expected that the Select Committee of the House, to which has been entrusted fche duty of inquiring into tele circumstances cf the appointment of Government representatives upon the West port Harbour Board, will get to work this week. Au announcement regarding a Royal Commission to hold a ■more general inquiry into the past administration of the Board may be expe.cted at any moment. The Hon. Mr. Fisher (Minister of Marine) is in coramujiication with gentlemen who are regarded as suitable for the duty. He informed mc that the Commission will congist of three members, including a. fiistd*s -auditor and a engineer.