POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4659, 13 July 1886, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[from oue special coeeespondent.—by telegeaph.J

Wellington, Last night.

In tho House this evening Major Atkinson was anxious to get the Premier to fix a day for the discussion of the representation question. The Premier, however, was unable- to fix a day without conferring with his colleagues. Ifc is possible the question may come up on Friday, that being tho only available day this week, but we shall not know for certain until to-morrow, when it is expected the Premier will make a statement on tho subject. It was thought likely that the debate on the Pubiio Works Statement would be taken to-morrow, but I believe it is the intention of tho Government to get up supply, and then, in order to allow members who have motions on the Order Paper for going into committee of supply, to have a chance of working them off. The debate on the Public Works Statement will be taken on tho introduction of the Loan Bill, which, it is expected, will be brought down this week. The adjourned debate on the gold duty abolition breach of privilege case comes up again to-morrow, but as the Government have, it is understood, decided to introduce a Bill providing for a reduction of the gold duty by sixpence the first year and a shilling the second, it is not likely the matter will create much more discussion. It is reported that a majority of the Council would be in favor of such a Bill. Mr Pyke's motion for a committee to ascertain the fate of the first Bill must, however, be first dealt with, though as it is purely a formal matter, it need not occupy many minutes. When members get on a djsdiscussion of a subject of this kind, involving niuo constitutional and privilege points, it is surprising to note what volubility is displayed in the treating of the matter that have puzzled some of the best Parliamentary writers of the age. I understand that the Government have received from tho Agent-General a reply to thoir cable message relating to the application to the Imperial Government for H.M.S. Miranda. The reply is not definite, but states that tho matter has been mentioned to tbe proper authorities. It is understood that when the report of the select committee on the railway deben-! tures cad. brought before Parliament, and its adoption moved, an amendment will be submitted to the effoct that the evidence taken does not justify the conclusions I arrived at. i

This day,

Mr Ormond has given notice to ask the Minister for Public Works, " If he is aware that tenders for the Gorge section of the Napier-Palmerston line are not advertised for at Napier, and if he will direct this to be done, and plans and information concerning the contract.to be made available at Napier for intending contractors f " The Local Bills Committee have this morning decided that the Napier Oddfellows' Site Bill is not a local Bill. The decision means that it is viewed as a private Bill, and T presume will bo brought down for its second reading on Thursday. Last night the Civil Service Bill was put through Committee and amended to the extent of striking out those clauses providing for a Royal Commission to report periodically upon the cost of living in the various localities, and for tho adjustment of salaries in accordance with that report. It is rumored this morning that more than half the House have signified their intention of speaking on the question of the committee's report re district railways purchase to-morrow night, and that the Government will bring down resolutions condemning- the committee's report, and exonerating Major Steward.