POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 7625, 30 May 1888, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, May 29. Jottings, The Government have received several communications from the Agent-General in reference to the Midland Railway draft contract difficulty, and will submit a proposal to the House on Thursday or Friday which is expected will prove acceptable to the Midland directors. The Minister for Lands informed Mr Guinness that the Argentine land laws could not be adopted by New Zealand. The Government have promised to make provision in the Coroners Amendment Act whereby inquests may be commenced on Sundays, in so far as viewing the body is concerned, and thus enabling burial rites to be proceeded with. The Rev. Mr Coffey has been informed by Colonel Brett that the Garrison Band have orders to discontinue playing in the Wellington Botanical Gardens on Sundays. This is the result of Mr Joyce’s action in the House. ...... in The Legislative Council, by lo to iu, passed the second reading of the Chinese Immigration Bill. Police Retrenchment. In explaining to the House this afternoon the course taken by him in reducing the expenditure on the police, the Minister for Justice said that ho had found the force to be far too much over-officered, there being seventeen officers where only twelve wore required. He therefore ascertained who were the most efficient men in the service, and who would, in the natural course of events, have to retire shortly; his object being that the best men should be retained m tho interest of the public. Notwithstanding that 'the friends of tho five wuo were selected brought pressure to bear upon the Government, such as he would not have conceived to be possible, the Government had stood firm, and had not their minds in a single instance.. At the outset he had laid it down as a principle that the efficiency of the Public Service should be the paramount consideration as distinguished from individual cases, and in his judgment the very best men had been. retained throughout the colony. Tribute to Inspector Thomson. An unsuccessful effort was made this afternoon to refer back to the Petitions Committee their unfavorable report on Inspector Shearmans petition, Mr P. Thompson (the Chairman of Committee) said that Inspector Shearman had been dealt S in o most liberal manner; while Mrßruce— another member of the Com-

mittee—made some severe strictures on the action of Mr Shearman in endeavoring to advance his claims by making reflections on the position and capabilities of another officer in the force. He referred to Inspector Thomson. Mr Shearman made it appear that Inspector Thomson had been removed from Auckland in consequence of his incapacity ; but evidence of the highest character was adduced that Mr Thomson was an exceptionally efficient officer, and it was only because the district was too large that the changes were made. Mr Thompson explained that Inspector Thomson subsequently received a series of complaints from members of the House, in connection with the reflections cast upon him by Mr Shearman. The Minister for Justice said that Mr Thomson was an able man, and had always done his work efficient! y._ I here was not a single black mark against him, and he (Mr Fergus) was proud of being able to bear testimony to his ability. Mr i. Thompson, as Chairman of the Public Potxtions Committee, said the Commissioner of Police had testified that Inspector Thomson was a first-class police officer, and that there were no better in the colony. Ine only fault that was urged againsthim was that at one time he had allowed his co^ r . 2 pondence to get into arrear, against which it was admitted that he had an extrems-y large district to attend to. Even those members who were most zealous in supporting Mr Shearman’s claims were careful to emphasise their appreciation of Mr Thomson’s services and ability. Land Board Honoraria. The amount paid by way of honorarium to the members of the Waste Land Boards during the last financial year was L 854, and in travelling expenses L 1,193. The amount paid to the Otago members was—H. Clark, honorarium L 57, travelling expenses L9B 15s; J. M'Kenzie, honorarium L 34, travelling expenses L 69 18s; J,Logan, honorarium L3B, travelling expenses nil; W. Galas, honorarium L3l, travelling expenses, Loo -s lOd ; J. Duncan, honorarium L 56, travelling expenses LB7 16s 2d. The honorarium paid is LI for each attendance at the Board.

Reception ot the Tariff. Tho galleries were crowded this evening, but the attendance of members on the floor of the House was not so large as might have been expected. The House did not meet till eight o’clock, and up till that time the Treasurer was busily engaged revising his Statement and making necessary alterations. Ho read tho Statement from tr.e proof-sheets, which were covered wi.h erasures and interliecat’ons, and it was nearly ten o’clock before the trlegiaph operators had before them the corrected sheets from which to wire. Owing to ibis fact, the transmission of messages to the morning papers must have been considerably delayed. Sir H. Atkinson explained that it was only with the greatest difficulty that he bad the Statement ready in time, so as not to disappoint the House. The reading of the Statement occupied five minutes over the hour. The announcement of a tax on tea was received with marks of disapproval, and it is evident that the country members are not satisfied with it, as a local subsidy. The reference to a primage duty of I per cent, on all articles imported, whether free or dutiable, in order to meet the deficit, was also received with every appearance of surprise. The applause at the conclusion of the Statement was not participated in to any extent by the Opposition, but when the Tariff was read they showed their approval by hearty and continued applause, and it was evident that the measure of Protection proposed far exceeded their expectations, . • The Treasurer, in answer to questio promised that he would be ready for the Financial debate by Friday evening, and said that the tables showing the previous Tariff and that now proposed, in parallel columns, would be ready as soon as pvrv.blc. Mr W. C, Smith and others urged Ihe Premier to remember that the price of goeds would be raised to the public at once, and warned him that if the House reduced the duties, and the taxes were refunded to the tradespeople, their customers would not be recouped what they had over-paid. The Treasurer promised to have thernatter discussed as soon as possible, and said that the gentlemen who had spoken could show their sincerity by supporting him. Education Retrenchment.

The Minister of Education fails to see any necessity for reappointing last session s Education Committee, as the only points in which he conceives economy can take place without impairing the efficiency of the Education Act are by raising the school age and by abolishing the Boards ; but if Mr J. G. Wilson is anxious to have the Committee reappointed no objection will bo offered. This will he the effect of the Hon. Mr Fisher’s answer to-day. The Committee last year, at a cost of LIOO, reported that it was undesirable to interfere with the Education Act at present; yet the House subsequently adopted certain recommendations at the instance of the Mimster in charge of the department, by which a saving of L 50.000 was effected. May 30, Jottings. In the House this afternoon Mr Taylor gave notice to ask whether the Government will take steps to reduce the salaries of the Judges after the present incumbents cease to hold their appointments. Mr Fish wants to know if the Government will discontinue one of the ocean mail services. The Premier gave notice that he would to-morrow introduce a Bill to repeal the Crown and Native Land Rating Act. The Financial Debate. The Premier, amid Opposition cheers, gave notice this afternoon that would move on Friday that the Customs Bill take precedence of all other business till disposed of. He did not say that he would be prepared to go on with the discussion then; but, once it was begun, he asked the House to continue it. He did not wish to force the financial debate, but he wanted the Bill to go through all its stages as soon as possible, . , Not an Alarmist. In moving his resolution in tho Council in connection with the enrolment of the militia, General Whitmore said he did so because the law, as it at present stood, prescribed certain formalities before the militia could be enrolled. He thought, therefore, it would be wise before Parliament separated that a resolution of this kind should be passed. Enrolment only meant making up a list. Tho Attorney-General said now that the subject bad been explained he hoped Sir G. Whitmore would withdraw the motion, assuring him that the matter would be considered by the Executive. Passing the resolution might only cause alarm. The motion was then withdrawn.