POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 6700, 7 September 1885, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[Feom Oua Special Rbpobtbb.] WELLINGTON, Seftembkb 7. Some months ago the Government invited tenders for printing 16,000,000 telegraph forms. Fourteen tenders wer« received, xiine teing from printers *wTbran £rte OoVoxry and five from without it.. The lowest was from the Government printer, whose tender was L 1,252, which has consequently been accepted. Of the local firms Messrs Mackay and Co., of Dunedin, are L 304 18s higher than the Government printer; Wbitoombe andTombs,Chrutchurch,L323; Wilsons and Horton, Auckland, L 498; Bock and Cousins, Wellington, L 549; and Fergusson and Mitchell, Dunedin, L 598. Viewed in the light of the evidence recently given before the Printing Committee, this (result shews how little reliance can be placed on the opinions expressed by some of the experts examined, one of whom stated that " private offices could generally work cheaper and closer than Government establishments," and yet the tender received from his own office is L 498 higher than Mr Didsbury'a. The ' Post' strongly disapproves of the idea of the Exhibition building being utilised for the purposes of Government printing offices, and advises the Government to boldly ask the House to vote a sum sufficient to commence the erection of a properly-designed and suitable building. A few days ago I advised you that the position of the Government was as critical as ever, and that the East and West Coast Railway question was the stumbling block in the way of an early prorogation of Parliament. The Ministerial organ this morning has the following:—" It is understood that the East and West Coast Nelson Railways party held a meeting yesterday, and resolved to insist on the Government making the vote for commencing the railway a Ministerial question. This resolution has, we believe, been communicated to Ministers, accompanied by a distinct intimation that, unless these terms are acceded to, the party will be prepared to assist any further attempt which may be made to oust the Government. We are not aware whether any formal reply has been sent to this, but believe the Government will absolutely refuse to comply with the party's requirements ; and certainly all members, whatever their party differences on questions of general policy, should resist such an impudent attempt to levy blackmail on' the Colony." It was scarcely worth while (says the 'Post') to have appointed a Select Committee to arrive at the lame and impotent conclusion reported on Friday by what is known as the Pacific Islands Committee. They have simply affirmed truisms without in any way indicating how objects admitted on all hands to be desirable are to be either advanced or accomplished. We believe that there is a germ of usefulness in Sir J. Vogel's suggestions for the formation of a trading company under a State guarantee, and that it is quite possible without incurring any serious pecuniary responsibility and at a very moderate cost to attract most of the Island trade to a centre in New Zealand. The importance of doing this can scarcely be over-rated. It regrets that the Committee do not seem to have considered this branch of the subject or have been unable to formulate any proposals in that direction.

A deputation, consisting of Major Wales, Messrs Barron, M.H.R., Stewart, M.H.R., J. A. Connell, and A. C. Begg, waited on the Minister for Works to-day with respect to the opening up of Cumberland street and the clearing away of the triangle between the new railway station buildings and High and Rattray streets. Mr Maxwell, general manager of the railways, was also present. The Hon. Mr Richardson promised that aa soon as the new coalshed now being built by contract is completed, the old one, now in the way, and also the turn-table alongside of it, shall be removed. This would occupy about one month, and would allow Cumberland street to be opened up. A promise was also given to clear away the triangle space. Major Wales has seen the Minister for Defence with respect to the Drillshed Commissioners' grievances, and has agreed to leave the matter in the Hon. Mr Ballance's hands.

It is understood that the Free Conference on the Employment of Females Bill (Mr Levestam) will recommend that on Saturday girls be not employed after 2 p.m., young women (over eighteen) after 4.30, boys only between 1 and 6 p.m.