POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 6094, 9 November 1887, Page 5

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

[By Telegraph.]

[ritOM OUR COIIIIESPONDENT.] AVELLIXUTOX, November S. I mentioned last night that Government had decided to refer the Midland railway question to a Select Committee. This is warir.lv supported by t}ie New Zealand Timts, which La:* Irom the firbt advocated such a course, hut it is utterly denounced to-night by the Press. However, on the House meeting this afternoon, Major Atkinson announced that Ministers had resolved to ask the House to refer the subject to a Committee which he proposed to' name at the evening sitting. The House seemed delighted to escape any renewal of Friday's discussion, aud eagurly jumped at the proposed course. Sir J. Vogul made a few deprecatory remarks.

There was a discussion this afternoon about an adjournment over the Prince of Wales' Birthday, but ijr Guinneas who moved this found himself assailed with a chorus ot disapprobation, and the motion was rejected on the voices without even a single sound being heard in its favor. At this stage all business broke down, there being- nothing left on the paper which hud not been postponed. On the Hoiide resuming to-night there were were very full galleries in expectation of the Financial debate, and tickets were at a premium. In the lira! place, however, ihe Midland Railway Committee had to be nominated, and this was quickly got over, a very strong and good Committee being chosen. Major Atkinson then moved i.hat the House go into Committee of Supply, and thereupon tiir J. Vogel opened the debate at 7.35 p.m. In a speech which threatened 10 be very long, lie. entered into painfully minute details, making a great point of Major Atkinson's having omitted to allow for "Jeapyear's" extra day in calculating the Customs revenue. He also displayed extreme virtuous indignation against the loan proposals of the Government as excessive and indefensible. At 10 p.m. he had been speaking nearly two and a half hours, and was still going on steadily to an obviously bored House. His speech was so- palpably and elaborately got up an indictment on a very weak case that ie produced no effect whatever, .us members were evidently inclined to sneer at his strong points rather than to be impressed by them. Anybody watching the House could not help seeing that Sir J. Vogel had wholly lost his old tact aud knack of managing it. His speech to-night has once more done him harm instead of good, its extreme thinness being too noticeable. Sir Julius Vogel finished shortly after ten o'clock, having spoken two hours aud thirty-five minutes. He concluded amid very mild applause, and Mr i!'isher immediately rose. He apologised for parodying Sir K. Stout's invariable exordium, in replying to an opponent, that "it, was the weakest speech he had ever listened to." He made a comical accidental "bull" by saying that the people of the colony had borne their difficulties with "an heroic splendour" instead of a splendid heroism, which excited some amusement. He then made a vigorous and telling answer to Sir J. Vogel, with many interruptions on the part of Opposition members. It will be noticed that Sir J. Vogel did not propose any adverse motion, aud I understand that the decision against moving any such motion is still adhered to, it being hoped that the Public Woi-ks Statement may offer a better target for attack.

Mr Fisher concluded about 11 p.m. a capital debating speech in which perhaps there were rather too many classical references. The House theii rose for supper. Mr Balluiicß followed Mr Fisher, and spoke well, bub there is no heart or spirit in the debute.

Nothing fresh has yet transpired as to intentions of the Opposition with reference to any adverse amendment, concerning which a renewed report was afloat just before supper. I may add to what I have already telegraphed regarding the Railway Boards Bill that the Boards are not to be empowered to alter fares or freights, but can only advise the Government on the subjeer. Any alteration would still have to be made by Order in Council. This rather cuts the ground from under Sir J. Vogel's objections to the proposal being founded on the possibility that the Board might introduce sweeping increases in the grain and other rates, and so show £100,000 or £150,000 additional revenue.

The Premier tells mc he will probably not speak to-night, but as lie expects the debate will last two or three days he will reserve his speech to a later poriod. Sir G. Grey's Fair Rent Bill constitutes a Court with.power to fix uuder certain circumstances a fair rent to be paid by any occupier of Crown Lands. The Court is to consist of a Judge of the Supreme Court and two Resident Magistrates. Mr Hislop's District Railway Purchasing Acts Amendment Bill_ provides that no rate made under those Acts shall be capable of being quashed, and that if, after any rate under the principal Act or the Amendment Act has been levied, it is found that, owing to the expenses of collecting such rate or otherwise, a sufh'cient sum has not been received to liquidate the deficiency shown in the account of the railway affected, the Colonial Treasurer is thereby authorised to add the amount of such insufficient sum to the account for the rest of the annual period, and it shall be included in such account as part of the working expenses of the railway affected accordingly. The .Railway Eoardßill will closely follow the Hues of the Victorian Bill with such minor modifications? as may be necessary for local reasons. The Chief Commissioner will be imported, but the other two of the three who are to form the Board will be colonial men.

tFBOM ANOTHER COBRESPOXDENT.] WELLINGTON, November & Mr Moss gave notice to-day to ask the Colon ial Treasurer whet hor.ainong the various large sums which he proposes to carry in glouo as reductions in public expenditure, there are included any reductions in the wages at present paid to skilled and unskilled workmen employed in the public service. If so, will he inform the House of the extent and character of such proposed reductions, as the initiative in that direction on the part of the Government must gravely affect the position of large masses of our people dependent on manual labor throughout the colony. Inspector Kiely has telegraphed to headquarters that Constable Jones has been informed on good authority at Kikikiki that Te Kooti, with a majority of hia followers, was to leave for the East Coast on tho Sth December.

A deputation of North Auckland members, consisting of Messrs Thompson, Monk, and Hobbs, waited on the Minister of Works to-day, and. urged that £1OO,(KX) be set apart from the loan for the construction o£ the Auukland-Helensville Railway northward. The Minister promised to take the matter into his consideration, but held out very little hope of being able to comply with the request. Mr Thompson submitted a resolution of the Northern Counties asking for£so,ooo a year for roads and bridges north of Auckland. Mr Mitchelson promised to send an official reply, which I may add will be in the negative.

Mr Joyce intimates his intention of introducing a Shop Hours Bill. Ministers are undecided whether they will support Mr Pykc's Otago Central Railway Bill as a Government one, but will not oppose in that capacity. Some of the Ministers will certainly support it.