POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

Dunstan Times, Issue 920, 5 December 1879, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

November 26th. In the House of Representatives, Replying to Mr Finn,

The Hon. Mr Kolleston said that the opening up of agricultural land at the head of Lake Wakalipu for settlement will be considered. Mr Finn asked the Government if they intend to erect a public gaol at Queenstown. The Hon. Mr Oliver said the matter would be considered in connection with the general question of the erecting district gaols in rural districts. Replying to Mr Pyke, The Hou. Mr Bryce said that LG2I had been paid to Mr Boiler within the present year for services rendered as counsel to the Native (risoners. Replying to .Mr Reeves,

The Hon. Mr Kolleston promised that enquiries should he made as to the necessity for establishing a School of Mines for the Colony. Mr He Lautour asked that the recommendation contained in the report of the Goldfields Committee upon the petition of David M ‘Ready, of Kyeburn Diggings, Otago, be agreed to The motion was agreed to.

Mr Finn moved—“ That the Rouse will to-morrow resolve itself into Committee of the whole to consider a respectful address to be presented to the Governor, praying that His Excellency wi 1 cause a sum of LIOO,OOO to be placed on the Estimates for the purpose of encouraging gold-mining industries within the Colony of New Zealand.”

The House divided—ayes, 20 ; noes, 32, and the motion was lost.

A caucus of the Opposition was held today at the instigation of some of ihe more enthusiastic or newer members, in order to consider whether further measures could not be adopted to oust the present Ministry. It is said however that all the more experienced members strongly discountenance any revival of mere party warfare or faction fights this session. It is said that the result is that 27 members of the Opposition have combined to form a new Mi idle Party. It is rumoured they have even drawn up a formal agreement, and all signed to this effect That strong repugnance is still felt to the pro perty tax, and it is almost certain the novernment will be obliged to materially modify it before the House will pass it, and that general feeling is decidedly in favour of a land and income tax. The Evening Post argues that the Government has not shown that so large a sum as that named will be absolutely required, and contends that the Civil Service expenditure could he largely reduced without injuring its efficiency. The Covenimm now expect to conclude the session on the I2th December, and prorogue on the Kith. Rumours were circulated to-day about Messrs Macandrow and Sheehan joining the Ministry, lint it is positively asserted there is not the slightest truth in them, as the Government would not have Mr Sheehan at any price, or Mr M.icandrew either, as far as present feelings go. 2S hj. Replying to Mr Pyko, Ihe Hon. Mr Bryce said at present it would not be advisable to dispense with the services of Dr Duller, who had been retained as counsel in connection with Native land purchases.

In Committee of Supply the following items were passed :

Native Affairs Department—Salaries and contingencies, L 15.742 The II on. Mr Bryce said there were a good many things in this Department with which he was dissatisfied, and if he continu'd in office he would effect considerable retrenchment, failing which he would retire from office.

On the item general contingencies for the purposes of food and clothing for Natives ; also for rewards and presents to Native chiefs, and for the encouragement of agricultural purposes, &0.. I GOO'), Native Land Court, L 12.129.

Mr Hamlin proposed the item Chief Judge (also Judge of District Court) LIOOO, he reduced L2OO. Mr George proposed to reduce the item five Judges at LO'IOO (L-TO, 000) by L 2500 This was agreed to, and the total vote as reduced was passed. The Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act, 1870- L4BB. Miscellaneous services, 1.13,300. Lands and Mines Department—Vote for Grown Lands Department, L 10.579. Crown Lands, miscellaneous services, L 14,004. Coalfields, L 413. General -Mirvey Department. LSB.OOO Photographic and Lithographic Printing Brmoh, L2IIO. Mines, L 27.010.

Colonial Treasurer’s Department—Trcasurei, 1.0732; land tax, L 5955; miscellaneous service. L 7123.

Commissioner of Customs’ DepartmentCustoms, L 24.233. The Collector at Aucklan I, LG0I), was reduced by Loll. Miscellaneous services, Lit), 101. Bonus to he given to exporters of rabbitskins, LSOOf). Marine anil Harbours, 1.33,326. Commissioner of Stamps, Stamp Depirtment, 1.0/4-1 ; lauds and deeds registry, L 14,50." ; miscellaneous service, 1.450. Defence Department, Militia and Volunteers, L 30.557.

Item, capitation allowance, South Islam!, L 9392, objected to, and a motion made that it be reduce I RBOO.

The House divided—ayes, 33 ; ones, 22, The item was reduced as proposed. On the item, for constabulary and defence, L 284,047

The Hon. Mr Hall proposed to reduce the item by R4OOO. The vote was reduced as proposed. The item, expanses of members, L 21,557, came on.

The Married Women’s Property Bill provides that a married woman shall be capable of holding, acquiring, alienating, and devising ie:d estate ns if she were a ft'mine sole. The real property of a woman married after this Act conies into force will be held by them as if unmarried, and real property acquired by them befoio the Act comes into force is to he held as if they were unmarried. A married woman’s earnin.'S are to he deemed her own property, and her deposits in Savings Blinks to bo deemed her separate property. Personal property coming to her is to be her own She can effect a policy of insurance A husband is nnt to be liable for his wife’s contracts before marriige, but a husband and wife may he sued together when either contracts as agent for the other. She is

liable to insolvency, hut may make settlements on herself before marriage. The feeling against the property tax increases, as also that in favour of the reimposition of the tea and sugar duties. An education tax is also advocated in some quarters.

It is thought some private member will propose the re imposition of the tea and sugar duties, and that the Government will accept the suggestion- These are calculated to realise 1.120,100, and the education tax might be levied to bring LSD,OOO. This would reduce the amount required by the property tax, allowing for the estimated surplus, to L‘200,000. and it has been suggested that the tax micht be modilied to realise this sum, while the present objectionable elements could he eliminated. The late period of the session militates seriously against the matter receiving a proper amount of consideration and discussion. Dee'tuber Ist. In reply to Mr Pyke, The. lion. Major Atkinson said the Government would agree to a re committal of the Estimates for the purpose of reconsidering the reduction of the honorarium. The Wellington correspondent of the Press telegraphs “The reduction of the honorarium v as entirely unintentional, and when the mistake was found out, the chagrin and annoyance displayed by a number of members was rather ludicrous. The item which Mr Turnbull intended to reduce was L‘21,373, expenses of both Houses for last session, hut when putting the vote the Chairman took it off the expenses of both Houses this session, L‘22.090. The result wasthit the House broke up in rather an angry mood, the disappointment being apparently most keen amongst the ‘ Liberal ’ members.”

No new phase has developed itself with reference to the financial situation. Members are afraid to propose the reimposition of tne tea and sugar duties, having the fear of their constituents before their eyes. The Government do not like to do it for fear of Sir G. Grey. Nobody likes the property tax, or knows what to propose instead.

Mr Pyke asked the Government what course they intended to pursue on the recommendation of the Public Petitions Committee in the matter of the petition of 11. M 'Kay, of Tuapeka, concerning the Beaumont Bridge.

The Hon Mr Oliver said the sum of L3OOO was advanced to Tuapeka Comity for the purchase of their bridge, and the money being advanced for that purpose, any portion of it otherwise appropriated would have to he refunded. In Committee, the item Expenses of Membeis of both Houses, L 22,090 3s 2d, was considered.

The Hon. Maj >r Atkinson proposed the sum as originally primed be passed. It was explained that the 10 per cent, deduction on the previous occasion reduced the item to 1,20,525 3s 21.

The House divided, the result beingayes, 37 ; noes, 2(5. Consideration of the Land Act was resumed in Committee.

Mr Pyke moved as an amendment that the following be added to clause 7“ Any purchaser of land under deferred payments who, by reason of the operation thereof, shall have been prevented obtaining (nil 320 acres shall, subject, to the approval of the Waste Lands Board, be entitled to select additional land in the neighbourhood, not being more than when added to his purchase will make 320 acres, and he shall pay therefor at the same pi ice as he shall have paid for such original purchase.”