POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 7340, 12 October 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, Ootobeb 11. A Rush for Seats. The House presented a brilliant appearance at this evening's sitting. Major Atkinson and Mr Fisher sat in the front of the Ministerial benches, and behind them were Messrs Fulton and Pearson. Then came Messrs Mitchelson and Hislop, and at the rear of them Messrs G, F. Richardson and Fergus. On the opposite side to the Treasury benches sat Messrs Larnach and Ballance, while Sir J. Vbgel and the Hon. E. Richardson filled the places occupied by Major Atkinson and Mr Rolleston in the late Parliament. Lady Vbgel, Mrs Ballance, and Mrs Richardson were in the ladies' gallery. I was glad to notice that Sir J. Vogel was able not. only to stand on his feet, but with aid of sticks to walk in and -out of the Chamber. Rearrangement of Portfolio!.

It will be seen from my Parliamentary report that there has been a shuffling of the cards so far as the rearrangement of portfolios is ooncerned. The most notable alterations are that Mr Hislop takes the.Colonial Secretaryship, Mr Fergus relieving him of Justice, while Mr Richardson takes Mines and Immigration, in addition to the important portfolio of Lands.

The Address-In-Reply.

A lengthy debate on the Address-in-Reply is anticipated. Mr Vincent Pyke has declared his intention of speaking for two hours, with the view of making clear the position he takes up at the present juncture. Mr R. M. Taylor, too, will speak his mind at some length. Mr Graham (East Coast) will move the Address-in-Reply, and Mr M'Gregor (Akaroa) will second it.

A Fair Field and TVo Favor.

■There appears to be a growing feeling that Ministers should be given a fair chance of initiating and carrying out their policy of drastic retrenchment Another member from the West Coast, who was returned as a pledged supporter of the Stont-Vogel party, to-day assured me that if they evolved anything like a satisfactory Statement they might rely on his cordial support. A Seceder. The only open seceder from the Ministerial ranks is Mr Henry Feldwick, who will not be content with any policy that has not Protection as one of its leading planks. Sir J. Vogel. ~\, That Sir J. VogePs popularity, is on the wane is undoubted, ana .though he was returned with probably the strongest following in the Houße, indications are not wanting that if r he remains off the Treasury benches for any time several former friends will desert him.

A IjiU, worthy of mention that'the first two Ministers selected by Atkinson in his process of Cabinet-making, were Mr Mitchelson and Mr G. F." EicSirdsonj: janiloutade opinion thoroughly confirms tta Premier s the* two' appointments being Ixcee6&glyik>pul4r. !J L: \, n 7ust before the House rose there was a slight breeze betiwenlMiior Atkinson and Sir J. Vogel 5 -butit4asted~suffioiently long to show Sat these two old oamgrigners are texaffiitia fighting Jdrm. The ef-Treasurer trieVT to "Iraw" the Premier as to the ' nature of the Speech to be delivered on the fallowing day 5 Tjut Major Atkinson declined to satisfy his curiosity, at the same time, assuring him, amid much laughter, " there was a, nice little Speech." - items* '.v^he^hfeet"mes*»ti 009aforraepurpoM

of considering who shall be asked to move and second the Address-in-Reply, and the nomination for the Chairmanship of Committees. Major Hamlin will certainly be the Ministerial candidate for the latter bfiice. .

Mr Ernest Bell has resigned the position bf Parliamentary reader, which >be has occupied for some years, and Mr Edward O'Rorke, a son of the .Speaker; has been appointed in his place.

Blble-rcading In Schools. A meeting of the members of. both branches of the Legislature favorable to the fading of the Bible in the schools was held this morning. It was attended by Messrs Tanner, Buxton, Joyce, DWnie Stewart, Rhodes, Alien, Anderson, Cowan, Peldwick, Pish, Fult-m, Larnach, J. M'Kenzie, Pyke, Ross, Steward, Ward, Pratt, Dr Hodgkinson, and Sir John Hall, as representing the House; and the Hons. Dr Menzies (presiding), Barnicoati Holmes, Colonel Brett, Captain Baillie, and Rey holds. The Chairman said that the meeting would be invited to discuss, the question de novo, either on past lines or entirely new ones, as the meeting , inight decide;-The Hon. Mr Holmes; moved—" That this meeting are of opinion that legislative provision should be made whereby the Bible may be read daily in the pttblio schools, and that a Bill to effect this object should be introduced into the House of Representatives. "-Mr Fish, in seconding the motion, said he thought it would be unwise to make Bible-reading permissive ; it should be compulsory.- Mr Tanner and Major Steward preferred leaving the question to the people, through the school com niittees.— The resolution was carried unanimously.—The Bill introduced into the Council last session by Dr Menzies was then read, and referred to a committee consisting of Dr Menzies, Messrs Fulton, Holmes, and Downie Stewart, to draw up a fresh Bill and submit it to a future meeting for discussion.—Mr Pyke advocated the claims of the Catholics, and submitted a couple of resolutions urging that the claims of tho Catholics should be incorporated into tho proposed Bill, but finally withdrew them. Mr Pyke's resolution, which Sir %lohu Hall seconded, was as follows :—" That the clauses in Mr Pyke's Public Schools Bill, 1885, be incorporated with any BUI haying for its object the introduction of Biblereading in the State schools." The resolution was withdrawn at the request of several members, who promised him support if he brought in a separate measure for that bbject. Municipal Conference. . Mr Goldie saw the Mayor of Wellington to-day relative to the proposed meeting of delegates from the municipal councils to watch legislation connected with boroughs. The Mayor promised to co-operate and put the Council rooms at his disposal. Smelting of Ores. Mr Chambers, of Auckland, who is here, is urging on the Minister of Mine's and members the necessity of a bonus for the smelting of ores at a given ptfc6. I have reason to believe that an English syndicate would embark on the enterprise if a bonus were offered. The goldfields members will probably hold a meeting on the same subject. A Protectionist Caucus. Some twenty Protectionists held an informal meeting this morning, but disbanded without coming to any resolution. It was decided to closely watch the development of events, and to take action when the Financial Statement is brought down. Hallway Construction by Land ft rants. Mr Hobbs intends to introduce a Bill to secure the construction of a railway from Karoo to Kawakawa by a syndicato in consideration of iand grants. The distance is twenty-four mileo. He proposes to secure the repeal of the Act making the Puhipuhi Forest a reserve, and have it set apart as an endowment to the syndicate. The bush is a very valuable one. The Bill will be on the Bame principle as Mr Pyke's dealing with the Otago Central. Money Wanted. The Premier intimated that he would probably have to ask to-morrow for an Imprest Supply Bill, and also for an amendment of the Public Revenues Bill, to enable him to issue a number of Deficiency Bills, as very large claims for interest had to be met within a few days. i The House rose at 2.55 p.m. Sessional Bills. Sir G. Grey gave notice this afternoon of his intention to Introduce the Law Practitioners Bill and the Limitation of Votes Bill, and Mr Samuel of his intention to introduce the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill. The Council. Mr Taylor intimated his intention of asking to-morrow whether there is any truth in the report that the Government intend to advise His Excellency to make further appointments to the Legislative Council. Notices Of Motion. Ministers gave notice of the appointment of the usual sessional committees, and Major Atkinson that he would to-morrow move that Major Hamlin be appointed Chairman of Committees. Taipua gave notice to move for the repeat of the Native Lands Administration Act, 1886. Mr Pyke gave notice of the introduction of the Otago Central Railway Extension Bill. The Jubilee Address. The Secretary for the Colonies, in acknowledging the Address from both Houses of Parliament, wrote that the Queen was pleased to receive the Address graciously, and to express her admiration of the beauty and artistic merit of the ornamental work.—(Laughter.)