POLITICAL NOTES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5288, 3 August 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[PAHLIAHKNTAEY REPORTER.]

Wkixinoton, Last night. THE END OF THE SESSION. Now that a compromise is probable on the Crown and Native Lands Bating Repoal Bill, and ou the native bills, it is anticipated that the session will bo shortened by a week or ten days, and Ministers are now sanguine of proroguing within three weeks. The rating clauses are to be dropped from the Nativo Lands Bill, and Crown lands are not to be rated under the Repeal Bill. The Government, in order to compensate the west coast of the Middle Island for its loss of subsidies, will propose to subsidise gold revenue to the extent of five shillings in the pound. This will amount to about £5000 per year. MAHAIOPAU GOLDFIELDS. Mr Gordon, Inspector of Mines, speaks most favorably of the prospects of the Mahalripau goldfields near Blenheim. He expects it to carry between 300 and 400 miners shortly. He also says that the accounts of the nug-gets found havo been greatly exaggerated. MESSRS SCOTT BROS.' PETITION. The Petitions Committee will report as follows on the petition of Messrs Scott Bros., of Christohuroh, who recently made ten locomotives for the New Zealand Government :—" That, whiln tho conditions of contract havo been infringed, the Committee ie of opinion that tho material condemned was ordered in tho usual way, and consider that tho sum of £350 deducted under the amended contract should be refunded to the petitioners."

HARBORS ACT AMENDMENT BILL,

The object of tho Harbors Act Amendment Bill, which, was circulated to-day, is evidently to meet the financial difficulties into which several Harbor Boards in the colony have been lauded. It proposes to suspend the power of the Thames, Waitara, Now Plymouth, and Patea Boards, to fix and collect harbor dues, and to empower the Governor-in-Council to fix them and arrange their collection. The moneys are to be paid by collectors at stated periods into the harbor funds of the respective districts, and tho cost of collection must not exceed £2 10s per cent. Tho borrowing powers of Now Plymouth and Patea Harbor Boards are also extended. THE WORKS STATEMENT. It is well known that the Public Works Statomont has for some days been ready for delivery, but the Government have seen fit to hold it back. The Premier informed the House this afternoon that tho Statement will bo delivered as soon as tho native bills have been disposed of.

EXPORT DUTY ON KAURI TIMBER,

A question affecting the timber-growing industry of tlio colony was put by Dr. Fitohett this afternoon, and the Premier replied that there was at present nothing to justify the Government m imposing an export duty ou rough or unsawn kauri timber, but they would watch the matter carefully during the recess, and, if necessary, some action would be taken next session.

THE NATIVE COMPROMISE. With regard to the nativo policy bills, the Premier denies that any compromise has been arrived at with native members, ~buthe states that ho and the Nativo Minister have been in communication with those gentlemen with a view of agreeing to amendments which will be suitable to them, and also to the House.

WAREHOUSING OF DUTIABLE GOODS. The Customs Duties Consolidation Act Amendment Bill provides that carriages, carte, drays, iroc, lead, matches, and timber are to be warehoused in such places, and under such conditions, as the commissioner may from time to tiroo direct.

PLAYFULNESS OF MEMBERS. Some discussion was occasioned during the _ consideration of the no-confidonco motion to-night by tho interruptions to which the member for Dunedin South was subjected. Mr Fish waa soundly rating tho party with which ho had in the past been associated for not giving tho Government support after their puling a Protective tariff, and completing tho Midland railway negotiations, when Mr Reeves (luangahna) ejaculated "Bosh !" This provoked from the hou. gentleman tho remark, "Tho West Coast members wore never sound on Protection ; all they cared about was to get as large a share of tho loaves iiud fishes as Eossible." Mr Reeves, amid boisterous tughter, indignantly asswted that the Opposition wiuitcd no "Fish," but tho menibor for Dunediu South wasoquaTto the occasion by retorting that they had shown their intense nnxicty of having that bruin-producing substance, for no sooner had they got rid of thts veritable article than they secured a "Fyke." Unfortunately, the member for Dunstan was not in his place, but the joke was not lost on tho Houso.

THE SAN FRANSISCO SERVICE. Mr Ward informs me that the Premier has promined him a day next week for tho discussion of tho San Francisco mail soirko, in the event of any circumstance arising which will prevent tho matter being then determined on Sir Harry pledges himself absolutely to have it discussed before tho session terminates.

DEFAULTING HARBOR BOARDS. The policy of the Government with regard to defaulting Harbor Boards will be to raise the rates of harbor duos and put in receivers until the amounts in arrears aromade good.

THE COUNCIL. Most of to-day's sitting of tho Legislative Council was taken up with tho consideration of the Mining- Act Amondment Bill, in which only amendments of a trifling , nature have been made. After the supper adjournment (10.30 p.m.) there was a count-out on the Married "Women's Property Extension Bill, which provides for married women holding a publican's license. Mr Justice Williams recently decided at Dunedin that a married woman could not hold a license, and tho Attorney-General explained that it was to obviate injustice being occasioned to poor women that ho had introduced the BUI.

SALMON CULTURE. Tho subject of salmon culture camo up incidentally in tho Houso this afternoon, and various opinions were expressed as to the prospects of tho fish in question being acclimatised. Mr Percival stated that smelts had lately been found in one of tte rivers, and had been submitted to an expert, who pronounced them to bo young salmon. Sir John Hall was very sceptical, and said that tin so many occasions hud young fish been found, and erroneously E renounced to bo tho veritable salmon, that o doubled whether tliero was any likelihood of that desirable fish being ever acclimatised. Other members ulaimed that the great drawback had hithorto boon that when tho young salmon went down in tho course of nature to tho mouths of rivers they were devoured by tho kawhai and other varacious fish, so that, if thoy were given a chance by protection on such a place as Lake Elloamero, Canterbury, there would bo a strong probability of success. Mr Percival cited an instance of tho stripping of ova from a salmon caught in the Selwyn river as being very encouraging.

THE NO-CONFIDENCE PEOPOSAL. That tho leading Oppositionists made a gross mistake in moving the amendment they did to-night is beyond question, and aa they acted without consultation with their followers, several of the smaller fry rebelled against the proceeding:, and voted with tho Government, The fact thut a

direct issue was before tho Hou.so also brought the seceding Free Traders back to the fold earlier than they would otherwise have returned. Ministers arc jubilant at Messrs Walker, Hutchison, and Ballanco

for having bo admirably played into their hands, and claim to have their positions strengthened by the aoce.wiou to tho Govcrnmen. , side of Messrs Turubuli, Taylwr, Verrall, and Jones. Tho Opposition, realising their position, tried to shirk tho vote being taken, but Mr McGregor, tho Govemmene whip, called for a division, and had therefore to vote against his own party. Some amusement was caused by tho Speaker appointing the member for Akaroa a teller in favor of tho amendment, which was

defeated by twenty votes. This was the only no-coundenco debate of tho session, and* it proved a comploto fiasco.

THE OTAGO CENTRAL. Tenders are at once to bo invited locally for the bridges on tho Middlemarch section of the übovo line, and during the rocess the Premier nnd Minister for Works will visit the railway acd dotennino whether it is advisable to carry it on as far as Taieri Lake. I understand that a sum of £12,000 is required for tho completion of tho earthwork between Sutton and Middlemareh. Full information regarding tho inattor will bo disclosed in tho Fublio Works Statement, to be delivered next week, EDUCATION IN AGRICULTURE. Mr Bnllanco is urging the Government to obtain during tho recess information in detail respecting , tho system of agricultural education in Ireland, which has recently been introduced into tho elementary schools, where children arc taught tho principles of agricultures and horticulture on school farms and in gardens. BAILWAY COMMISSIONER. Mr Ward intund.s to ask the Minister for Public Works, in the ovent of a niilwiiy expert from Europe or America not being appointed (o the position of Chief Commissioner of Kaihvuys, should a local man be appointed, what salary it is proposed to pay; also whether it is intended, should such sm appointment bo conferred upon some one in this colony, that tho power of veto provided in tho Government Railways Act is to be curtailed t , THE NATIVE TROUBLE. Tho Native Minister is in receipt of intelligence of a very re-assuring character from Whangaroi. The Maori who wns the cnuso of tho wholo trouble has been bimished to Ilolrinnga, while the proposals of tho belligerent parties for » settlement of the difiiuulty ure now on tlio way to Wellington. VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS. A meeting of Auckland members wag held this afternoon to oonsider the Tillage

settlement question, Mr Hamlin presiding. It was resolved that Sir George Grey should present tho petition from residents of Auckland and suburbs in favor of the continuance of the vilage settlements in that part of the' colony, and this he did when the House met. Messrs Fraser, T. Thompson, and Mobs were appointed to wait upon the Government and ask that a vete of £10,000 be placed on the estimates for the purpose of continuing and increasing the village settlements in Auckland. Those gentlemen subsequently had an interview with the Premier, and urged tho matter upon his attention, stating that they had no wish to attempt to intercept Supply or in any way delay Government business. The- Premier expressed pleasure at the attitude of tho northern members, and promised to bring tho matter before the Cabinet, give it favorable consideration, and annonnco the result.

THE ESTIMATES. The consideration of the estimates wae renewed in Committee of Supply. Class 4, Justice Department, £105,645.— Department of Justice £900. Agreed to.— Crown Land Office, £2135. Agreed to.— Supreme Court, £8018. Mr Goldie moved to reduoe this vote by £260, the amount to be deducted from the salaries of Registrars and Doputy Registrars at Auckland, Christohurch, and Dunedin, and from the Registrar at Wellington ; £50 in case of Registrars. This was lost by 39 to 17. An amendment by Mr R. Thompson to reduce the item by £100 was lost by 34 to 19. . The item was then passed —Bankruptcy, £6886. Mr E. Thompson moved the reduction of this item by £300, in order to reduce the salaries of tho four Ofiioia Assignees by £75 each. The Minister for Justice said the officers in question wore all capable men, who would probably resign if their salaries were reduced. Besides they had already suffered retrenchment, Mr Samuel that an amendment should bo made in the Bankruptcy Act providing that Aesifjnees should be paid by > commissions. Mr Ward thought the, duties of Official Assignees could well be discharged by tho Registrars of the Supremely Courts. This suggestion provoked a long discussion,' in the course of which several members pointed out that the work of the Registrars Offices was so large as to necessi" tate large staffs, so that the duties would bft too heavy to be undertaken by the Registrars. The amendment was lost on the voices, and the vote was then passed.—District Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts, £42,726. Much discussion took [ place as to tho salaries of Wardens and Magistrates, special stress being laid on the hardship of Judge Broad's case. In all a reduction of £75 is made. Ultimately Mr Goldie moved the reduction of tho whole item by £2000, leaving the Government to adjust* the salaries. This, however, was out of order, as the itoms were being discussed, and it could not be put.

This day. The roar for retrenchment appears to be only with the electors. The estimates were discussed before a beggarly array of empty benches in the early hours of this morning, and the economists were in a hopeless minority. Mr Monk declared there was no real desire for retrenchment. Members had promised their constituent*! that they would vote for it, but they had now forgotten all about their pledges. Mr Goldie insisted on. „ Hansardising the several divisions to show y~ which members were' attending to their .' duties and which had gone home to bed, and also to test the sincerity of the members ' who preach retrenchment on the hustings and are indifferent when it comes to practice Mr Hutchison, who is a lawyer, made an effort to striko out the £150 subsidy to the publication of law reports. Ho said the effect of the vote was simply to save lawyers two guineas a year each in subscription e t The lawyers mustered in force,'tis they invariably do when their interests are threatened in the House, and the proposal was negatived by 26 to 10, the total number of members in attendance being 36. The defense vote provided a long discussion, in which the Government were urged on the one hand to increase the Volunteer capitation, and on the other hand to remembor tho necessity for retrenchment, as the danger from without was really"" small. The Defence Minister promised to give volunteers next session as much ' monetary encourajyment as they could afford. An effort was made by Mr Goldie to strike out £400 as the salary of the Commissioner of Police and £6000 tor long service pay to policemen. The Defence Minister said it would bo a gross breach of faith to '■ discontinue the latter item. Mr Monk said, after Ministers' protestations of the perfection of \j tho force, it was a disgrace passing the ' estimates in such a manner as thby wero. They wero passing money the colony nmiirl .../" not afford, and they would have reason to regret it.' The amendment was by 21 to 9, ~ and another by Mr R. Thompson to reduce the long service vote by £3000 was negatived by 21 to 10. Lands Department, £1 3,320. Passed. , • Votes amounting in the aggregate to £277,058 had thus been passed without amendment, and tho House roso at 3.30 a.m.