Political Notes.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5910, 15 August 1890, Page 3

Political Notes.

U |"f«OM OUB FABLIAMENTAEY EEPOBTEB.] Ij [by telegraph.] t THE BKOINNINQ OF TOE END. Wellington, Last night. p There is a growing feeling on both sides i of tho House that it is time to make some B arrangements as to winding up the business of the session, and that byjmutual 1 concessions something can be arranged to ,' end the state of almost chaos into which 3 matters havo drifted. It is understood that ■ an informal korcro took place this afternoon > amongst the chiefs of the Opposition party, • at which it was decided to feel the pulse of 3 the Government as to what can be done. a Reticence is being observed as to what took l place, and all that can be gleaned from the Hon Mr Ballance and his friends is that they desire to effect a compromise, so that some arrangement may be arrived • at as to the conduct of the public business. This is understood to mean that the Esti- ' mates shall be passed without factions ' opposition, that the Harbor Bills shall be put through with tho least possible delay, ' and that the question of Judge Edwards's appointment shall be tb-eshed out on its ' merits. Nothing has been definitely ar- " ranged as yet, but whatever is done the ' Opposition are inclined to insist upon some security being given that tho new , Parliament will" be called together in April I next and that no appointments be mado to tho Legislative Council in the meantime. If both these terms nro insisted on the ( scheme is not likely to be productive of . beneficial results. I PEEMANENT AETILLERT FOEOE. Mr Fish's question of the Government as to tho appointment of lieutenants to the Permanent Artillery Forco fell flat. The Defence Minister replied to it that the Government have not recently appointed four lieutenants, nor are tboy about to appoint any, consequently their selections have not been made from near relatives of Civil Servants. Captain Russell added, however, that in any appointment he made during hij administration it would be his desire to have such regulations introduoed that the officers only be admitted by competitive examination. FEMALE FEANCEtISE. Ministers do not propose to introduce legislation to give effect to tho vote of the House, lately made on Sir John Hall's motion, in favor of female suffrage. They will, however, shortly bo dealing with a Bill to slightly amend tho electoral laws, and the supporters of the fair ccx will probably make an attempt to attach to it a clause giving the ladies the right to exercise tbe franchise at future elections. PRESERVING NATUBAL CUEIOSITIHS. As far as possible tho Government already take care to reserve from sale all natural curiosities in tho way of hot and mineral springs and riverside scenery, but they point out that to invariably reserve forests along river banks as suggested by Dr. Newman would be hardly compatible with the convenience of settlers. JUDGE WINDEYEK'S COMMENTS. Tho Postmaster-General thinks that judgment should not bo hastily formed as to tho comments of Mr Justice Windeyer, of Sydney, upon tho action of the colony regarding the San Francisco mail contract until full reports of his remarks are to hand. He assured Mr Ward, who asked a question on tho subject, however, that Sir Julius Vogel, when making the arrangement as to the contribution from New South Wale, acted quite within tho rights of tho colony, as was acknowledged by the Pacific Mail Co., and read a long statement on tho subject detailing the facts already mado known in your columns. \ VRKSEBVED BABBITS. ; Some weeks ago a shipment, of several hundred cases of preserved rabbits from the '• Gore Meat Preserving Co.'s works were ' sent to Eugland. Mr Valentino, who is ' chairman of the company, has just been ad- < vised by cable that the shipment has arrived in Loudon in splendid condition, and sold at excellent prices. , PERMANENT AETILLEBY. ( It seems, from an explanation mado by tho Defence Minister to-day, prompted by ono of Mr Fish's numerous queries, that acting-Lieutenant Hume is the only officer of the Permanent Artillery who has passed an examination on gunnery. Colonel Humphrey, the Minister added, was only promoted to his present rank because Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts had previously held that rank. Under the regulations it was necessary that certain notices should bo issued, and certain acts {done by the com- i maiiding officers. With that object alone i the Undor-Seeretary for Defence was mado i a Colonel, and he would be very happy to resign that rank as soon as the Volunteer regulations were put into effect providing for the reorganisation of the force. PKSTETICTION OF SEA BIBBS, f A strong protest against tho destruction l of sea birds on the coast and outlyiug ( islands of the* colony—the Snares, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, &.o. —is made iv a petition which was presented to tho House by Sir Geo. Grey to-day, signed by Sir James Hector, Messrs M. Chapman and H. D. Bell, Captains Rose and Babot, and , others. The petitioners urge the House to t pass an Act regulating tho rapture and dcs- i triiciiou of albatrosses, gulls, aud mutton ( birds, which make the islands and coast their nesting places, and iv particular to prohibit their capture for tho purpose of extracting oil, tho taking cf eggs except for food, and tho killintr of birds for their ] skins and feathers : and they point out that persons are v >w in tho habit of visiting the . nesting grounds for these purposes, and the extermination of the birds is only a matter of time. This would deprive the castaways from any vessel that may be wrecked on the islands of an important article of food, on ' which they would now be able to depend for subsistence when the food supplies iv the depots were exhausted. SEAMEN'S FBANCHISK DILI.. A copy of the Seamen's Franchise Bill has been forwarded to Dunedin, and the Gov- j eminent are awaiting tho opinion of tbe , Maritime Council before distributing it. , A WASTED SESSION. ' A private member's Bill, tho Dog Registration Amendment, a measure of ten . lints eliminating the short title and schedule, and a few local Bills represents the eight weeks' labors of the present session. SUPPLY INTBBCEITED. When Supply was called on to-night some half-dozen hon gentlemen jumped to their feet, but Mr Taylor was fortunate enough to catch tho Speaker's eye, and be moved a resolution affirming the desirableness of tho Government purchasing (say) 1500 acres of land on tho Canter'mry Plains as a permanent location for the legislative capital of the colony. The proposal was received with shrieks of laughter, but was not discussed, aud was negatived on a division by 3d to 'Jfi. SETTLEMENT OF LABOR DISPUTES.

11l the House of Representatives this afternoon Mr Downie Stewart asked the Government whether, having regard to a widely spread feeling in favor of settling labor disputes by arbitration, and especially to the opinion expressed on tho oth inst. by the pre.-ident of the Trades and Labor Council, Obristchuivh, they would give facilities for passing this session the Strikes aud Arbitratiou Biii? The Minister for Education said the Government considered that if a measure could be carried on the same principle as those adopted in some of the American States it would meet a great want. They did not think that, the information on the subject was yet suilicicrtly widespread to justify their, in bringing in a measure. They would, however, get instructions as to tbe working of the Massachusetts Act, wliich seemed to work very well in mutters of dispute, aud tho Government hoped that at a Future session a measure would be introduced which would meet tbe purpose. I'JiOPEUTV TAX OFI-ICEKS. Bonuses were paid to the bead oHicer-s of the Property Tax Department in respect of the assessments of ISSS — £75 to the Commissioners, aud £100 to tho Deputy Commissioner. The acting Premier, however, informed Mr Fish to-day that the work of the Department, was especially arduous, and overtime was paid to all tbe ofHcers to a total amount of £1180. In justification of the payment to the Commissioners he pointed out that those officers were kept in their offices from 7.30 a.m. to 10 o'clock every evening while the assessment was going on, mid had the work of a very large number of clerks to supervise. It ILLS I'ASSKD. The last opp-■: .nity for taking local Bills was availed ,•:" to the fullest extent today. The following iii-.sures passing tbeii final stages in the Home : — .Borough ol Devonport Empowering and Endowment (Mr Monk), Wellington School of Design aud Exchange (lion. Mr Hi.-lop), Auckland Hatbor Board Empowering (Mi Peacock), Tiinaru J.taibor Board Empower, insr (Major Steward), Tiuuiru Charitabh Aid Institution Vesting (Mr Rhodes) Tuakitoto, Kaita:i:.i:tn, and Lake.-, (Hon Mr Richardson), I'aiiir. rsjon North Ke serves (Mr Mi.r.aithur), Strttioul Count; '(Mr Marcliuut), and Kibikihi Cemetery Re, serve '.easing (Hon. Mr Bryee). AGJiICULTUKAL I'EIEOSS. The member for- Sydenham (Mr Taylor sug'.-ested to ihe. Government ,'i scheme fo setting apart three or four thousand acre of !::r:,-; i.i (aeh provincial district for th purpo-eof esiablh-hiug agricultural orison.' aud L'xpi-c.-.-ed the-jj.iet ihitt in this wa tlie final '.'..taoii.-lmi.nt- ~; ih,. ,]-,-,. W mh! noiuU'iit-i" 11 of up The i.iu-i. THK KSTI.V.ATW. The Jasti'.io E-limare- were subj,. ( .,tod i svero hambing lliH evening iv Commits o, .Suriply. <J" 'be vote Supreme Cour i ■■;.", r,' Mr I-Tsli ii'oveo a reduction by i.-l by MiiUimr out tho voted lor the Ja-;,,,,, RpiriSti'i-:rs at tlie four centres, and t.-,!<i ; " ..if the i,.cici:se ot £So in the salary of s! Yfedio-io:! l:.i.'gistiar. The motion w 10-.' be -!"; to '.','/, wiiort.iipoii Mr J-'idi riiuv. ti -. end lhe Cnaiimau t.-cve his c.-'-.ting v. mirrii, !i;:ir '.::.: for nutlcr c:•);snicMt!.. ■ A "ln-opccM wus ii-M i.uado by M-

Thompson to reduce the vote by £590, consisting of the salaries of the clerks from tho centres, and the £35 added to the salary of tho Wellington Registrar. This was carried by 36 to 33. On tho vote Bankruptcy, £7053, being put, Mr T. Thompson moved to reduco the voto by £645, including reductions of £75 off the salaries of tho Official Assignees at the four principal towns, aud £300"from the sum of £3500 set down for tho payment of Deputy Assignees' expenses in estates in which there are no assets and contingencies. It was pointed out by tho Minister that the Bankruptcy Department was more than self-supporting, its revonue last year having been £10,654, as against an expenditure of £6584. Besides, the Assignees had been appointed at salaries of £550, and had already been reduced by £75 a year. On a division Mr Thompson's motion was lost by 33 to 31, whereupon the Minister agreed to a reduction of £445, which should include £25 from each of the Assignees, and the vote was reduced accordingly.

The crusade was continued on the vote of £43,982 for Resident Magistrates, whioh Mr Fish moved to reduco by £1015. Mr Menteath, Sir John Hall, and Mr Samuel protested against the proposed reductions, and said that those already made had had a most discouraging effect on the Civil Service. On the Minister undertaking to accept a reduction of £650, provided he was allowed to make adjustments, the vote was passed. Tho following items were pasted on tho voices :—Criminal prosecutions, £10,300 ; fees and expenses on inquests, £2500. Tho vote for prisons (£40,615) was hotly attacked by Mr Fish, who protested against the salary of £SOO paid to the Inspector of Prisons, who he did not regard as tho right man in the right place. In his opinion the prisons were not properly managed. He moved to reduce tho voto by £2955, whioh, after a long discussion, was negatived by 20 to 16. Mr T. Thompson moved that the vote bo reduced by £1500, which, if carried, was to bo taken as an indication that Colonel Hume's salary was to be reduced to £700. This was accepted by tbe Minister and carried on the voices. On Mr Goldie's motion £500 was struck off tho voto £3000 for contingencies. Progress was then reported, and tho House rose at 1 a.m.