POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 7362, 7 November 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

|Fbom Oub Pabliamentary Repobteb.J

WELLINGTON, Novembeb 7. The Civil Service.

The intentions of the Government with regard to the reductions in the salaries of the public officers have not yet been docided on; but I have authority for Baying that they do not propose to make a general reduction on the percentage principle.. ; They recognise that many officers are paid at a moon higher rate for their services than they should be, and that other deserving officers are underpaid. They therefore intend to go into the whole question of merit, and equalise the salaries, making reductions where they think they should be made and giving increases where desirable. The Railway Boird. The Bill to create non-political Railway Boards is not finally framed, but it is the intention of Ministers to appoint two members, who are resident within the Colony, to act in conjunction with the chairman, who will be a thoroughly qualified manager, and will be imported from England or America. The measure will be drafted on the lines of the Victorian Bill, but the Commissioner will be granted extended pwers, and will have authority to alter and regulate the salaries of the railway servants. Defence. Major-General Schaw was only entrusted with his commission on Saturday, so he will not be in a position to -report on the harbor defences for some days. A Dastardly Trick. By the Southern mail on Saturday every member of the House received an anonymous handbill without an imprint, making a coarse and blackguardly attack on the member for Dunedin South. It is headed "An Infamouß Career," and reflects strongly on Mr Fish's moral character, Sympathy is expressed with Mr Fish at this continued persecution. The effect of the handbill has been the very reverse of the intentions of those causing its circulation. The Works statement. The Minister of Works will commence preparation of the Works Statement this week. It is expected to be ready for delivery about a fortnight hence. The Public Works Statement will combine important proposals with respect to expenditure on public works other than railways. Mr Mitchelson says his intention is that after three years and a-half— i.e., when the loans asked for have been expended—that; the votes under Part 1 should disappear from the Public Works Estimates ; in other words, he intends that after the lapse of that Eeriod all expenditure for roads, bridges, uildings, and similar purposes shall come, from the Consolidated Fund instead of from lean. The Tar Ift; , Notwithstanding the decssion of the Government not to interfere with the Tariff this session, copies of a revised Tariff have been prepared in the interests of the manufacturing industries, and are.bcing sent here by the Christchurch Protection Society.

The Katkoral School Trouble. The Minister of Education is looking into the dispute between the Education' Board and the Eaikorai School Committee, and, as at present advised, he inclines to the opinion that the Committee have misinterpreted' section 75 of the Act, which merely provides that the Board, before making an appointment, or in cases of dismissal, shall consult with the Committee as a matter of form, but does not necessitate the advice given by the Committee being acted on by the Board. The Northern Trunk Line to be Stopped

It is very probable that the work on the North Island Trunk line will be stopped immediately. The Minister of Workß thinks that this is desirable in the present position of the Colony, and also until the lands along the route of the railway are purchased. In the meantime Mr Mitchelson thinks that L 50.000 should be spent in making a proper metalled road from Taranaki to the line.