POLITICAL NEWS.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XV, Issue 2219, 2 December 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

fPEB, PRESS ASSOCIATION.] RATHER RIDICULOUS. Wellington, Thursday. It is not intended to continue the subsidies to public libraries this year in view of general retrenchment. Government think this is a direction in \?hicb people shoujd put their hands in their own pockets. MIDLAND RAILWAY IN TROUBLE. The Lords have s«t up their backs against the Midland Railway business, aud threatened to. kill the contract. - A JUST REBUKE. Sydney Taiwhanga says members' mouths talk retrenchment, but their hearts want £300. REDUCING MEMBERS, The Representation Act Amendment Bill, which was introduced by the Premier, proposes at the close of the present Parliament the number of members of the House of Representatires shall consist of seventy, of whom sixty-seven shall be Europeans. The Southern Maori to be included in the Weat«rn Maori District, one Maori member being thus lost, AGAIN DEFERRED. The Public Works Statement is further deferred for a week. ANOTHER NUISANCE. ' Mr McKenzia has given notice of a Bill to prevent the spread of the California thistle. TILLAGE SETTLEMENTS. Mr Hobbs has presented a petition from Motukere village settlers with reference to regulations under which they are located. A POVERTY BAY SCHEMER. A Gisborne petition in favour of assistance being given to W- £. Rees i to procted to England for tke purpose of introducing a land settlement scheme, is referred to Government for consideration. OLD SOLDIERS' CLAIMS. The Waste Lands Committee recommend that* claims of old soldiers and volunteers etc. be referred to Government for consideration, with a recommendation that they be dealt with on equitable grounds. PROTECTION. Government intend, in connection with the revision of the tariff, to make arrangements with the Governments of the Australian colonies by which duties on our farmers' produce may be reduced or a pledge made that they gball not be iucreaifd, '