POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 7650, 28 June 1888, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Oub Parliamentary .Reporter.] WELLINGTON, Jcnk 27. The Chinese Question. The proceedings of the Chinese Conference, which recently sat in Sydney, were forwarded to the Government by tho Te Anau, whose mails arrived this afternoon ; and Ihave been favored by a member of the Ministry with a perusal of the same. On the first sitting day the Hon. C. C. Kingston (South Australia)explainedthe absence of Mr Oliver, and it was unanimously resolved that the voting should be by the colonies. On the following day (June 13) resolutions dealing with the question weie considered. The Hon. Thomas Playford (South Australia) moved—" That in the opinion of this Conference the further restriction of Chinese immigration is essential to the welfare of the people of Australia." The resolution was supported bv New South Wales, Victoria, | and South Australia; but Queensland and Tasmania voted against it, and Western Australia, being a Grown colony, abstained from the voting throughout. It was unanimously resolved that the necessary restriction would be best secured through the diplomatic action of the Mother Country and by uniform Australian legislation ; also that joint representations should be made to the Imperial Government for the purpose of obtaining the desired diplomatic action. A committee was appointed, consisting of the Hon. Alfred Deakin (Victoria), Hon. C. C. Kingston (South Australia), and Hon. J. Macrossan (Queensland), to draw up a draft Bill. There was a difference of opinion among the members of the Conference as to whether the limitation of Chinese which any vessel could bring to the colonies should be one Chinese to every 500 tons, or one to every 200 tons only. South Australia and Queensland voted for the 200 : while New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania voted in favor of the limitation being one Chinese to every 500 tons of the ship's burthen. It was unanimously resolved that the influx of Chinese from one colony to another, without the consent of the colony which they enter, be made a misdemeanor. The draft Bill, which was submitted to and approved by the Conference on the following day, consists of thirteen clauses. It enacts, inter alia, that the master of any vessel on arrival shall report the number of Chinese on board, failing which he shall be liable on conviction to a penalty of LIOO. The bringing of more than one Chinese passenger for every 500 tons burthen is also a penal offence, punishable on conviction by a penalty of LSOO. The penalty on any Chinese entering a colony by land without a permit is imprisonment not exceeding six months. Penalties and payments under the Act are to bo paid into the Consolidated Revenue. It is further enacted that any vessel into which Chinese may be transhipped shall be deemed to be a vessel bringing Chinese into the colony. The Governor and the Executive Council are empowered to make regulations for carrying out tho provisions of the Act; and if disapproval of such regulations is not expressed by resolution of Parliament within fifteen days thereafter, they shall have the force of law. The abolition of the poll tax is provided for. The Chinese Immigration Restriction Act, 1888, which will be in the precise terms of the Bill approved by the Conference, will shortly be introduced into our Parliament. The Premier and the Judgeship. The Press of Wellington are unanimous in condemning Sir Harry Atkinson for his virulent abuse of the newspapers of the colony for their references to the vacant Judgeship. There is a strong feeling amongst members that, while Judge Ward will eventually be appointed, the position is kept open for political purposes till the present session is concluded. The Totalisator. The question of taxing the totalisator for revenue purposes was discussed by the " Lords" this afternoon, on the motion of the Hon. Mr Hart.—The Attorney-General declared that this was the first occasion within his knowledge on which the Government of the colony had been asked to raise revenue out of gambling ; and he wondered that they were not also asked to legalise lotteries and tax gambling housfs He admitted that the totalisator had been much abused, and especially in the country, and viewed from that aspect it had become a nuisance.—Dr Pollen expressed the opinion that the people who use these machines were on a par with swindling gamblers who played with loaded dice.— After a long discussion the motion affirming the desirability of taxing the totalisator for revenue purposes was lost by 16 to 7, and an amendment proposed by the Hon. J. Miller, referring the question of the use of the totalisator to a Select Committee, Was carried by 12 to 10. 9lokau Jones's Claim. I mentioned in a recent message that Messrs Bell, Gully, and Izard had written to the Government on behalf of Mr "Mokau" Jones, protesting against the present Commission. Mr Levestam asked the Government to-day if they would allow the letter to be laid on the table of the House, and Mr Mitchelson replied that they would do nothing of the kind. The Governor's Salary Bill. Referring to the Premier's assurance that he will not comply with the request of the Secretary for the Colonies that the Government should reconsider the above measure, passed 'ast session, the ' Post' says : " The Premier appears unable to take a hint less gentle than a smack in the face, or he would take the hint so politely given him by the Colonial Office. In asking him to reconsider the Bill for reducing to Governor's salary, it i 3 very evident that the Home Government do not like the Bill and are not at all disposed to assent to it; but instead of giving the New Zealand Legislature a direct snub by refusing the Queen's assent, Lord Knutsford quietly hinted to the Government tho propriety of reconsidering the matter. The Premier, however, says he will not reconsider it; and so the hint is thrown away. We may expect the Colonial Office to show no further delicacy in the matter, but that they will at one* v«to the Bill." Duration of the Session.

Now that the Tariff is practically out of the way members are beginning to discuss the probable length of the session, The prevailing opinion is that the Public Works Statement Will be brought down on an early date ; and that, after its delivery, Ministers will losenotimein proroguing. The more sanguine membersaffect to think thatfourweeka hence should see the close of the session ; but, as the business yet to be transacted includes the consideration of the Estimates, the Native Bills, the Electoral Bill, and the Public Works proposals, sufficient work is provided for fully six or seven weeks. The probabilities are that the Electoral Bill will be read a second time with a view to the principle of the Hare system being affirmed; but that if any serious opposition to the measure is shown it will not be pushed further this session. Prohibiting Cemeteries In Towns. The Bill drafted by Mr Izard to prohibit the interment of the dead within the boundaries of towns, on the ground of the public health, has been circulated. Its effect is to repeal that provision of the Cemeteries Act, 1882, which prevents the Governor from closing any cemetery until the local body finds a new site, and to provide instead that, if a site is not obtained within six months of the publication of an Order-in-Council, burials in the old cemetery shall cease. The Governor may appoint a Commission of three persons to undertake the duty, and may declare the site which they choose to be taken for cemetery purposes, to be vested in the local authority. _ If the owner of the land and the local authority cannot agree as to the price, the matter is to be decided by the Compensation Court. Mr Hamlin's Charges. The charges recently made in the House by Mr Hamlin against the Native Land Court adminiatration were to a large extent repeated by the witnesses who were examined before the Native Affairs Committee yesterday on the petition of Mr Arthur Owen. The Customs Tariff. Very fair progress was made with the Tariff at to-day's sitting. The revision of the free list was completed, and the Premier brought down his list of amendments and the items that were reserved for reconsideration. The increased duty of Jd per

lb on fruit and sulphurised fruit was di cussed at very considerable length, an efforts were made to strike out or reduc both, but in vain. Horses for India. Mr Lawry has been interesting himself i the question of tho export of horses to Indis and intends to move for any paper or coi rcspondencein the possession of the Govern ment relative to the breeding of suitabl horses for the Indian market, with a view t them being submitted to the Stock Com mittee for the purpose of obtaining fuller in formation, and, if deemed desirable, a mon detailed report on the question of breedini light active horses. Jottings. The Imprest Supply Bill has been read i fh'3t time in the Council. Mr Allen predicts that electricity is t< be the metallurgical power of the future. Mr Taj lor says that New Zealand is th< small farmer's paradise. The Hon. J. Bryce is to be banquetted bj members of the Houso at Wanganui or Saturday night. The Freetraders have determined not tc oppose the third reading of the Custom; Duties Bill. A Select Committee of the Legislative Council is to inquire into the use of the totalisator. The Tramways Act Amendment Bill has been introduced in the Council. Petitions against the CD. Act, the Shop Hours Bill, and the Bible-reading in schools were presented to-day. Dr Fitchett wants to have railway tickets procurable at other places than railway stations. Mr Izard is moving for a return of the burials in the Auckland, Wellington, Christ- | church, and Duncdin cemeteries and adjacent boroughs during the last three years. I Samples of the Pond butter boxes are on , exhibition in the lobby, and are attracting great attention. The Central Route. The Auckland members intend next session introducing a Bill having for its object the diverting of the Central Trunk Railway to the Stratford route. The Government surveyors are at present surveying the connection on the West Coast. Why Not? MrLarnach complained that hon. members, in attending to public matters, had during the cable interruption to pay for their messages as "urgent." Ihe Commissioner of Telegraphs promised to look into the matter and see if any relief could be granted. The San Francisco Service. Further proof is to hand of the fact that, notwithstanding the demand for retrenchment by the abolition of the San Francisco service, the line in question still pays its way, and is practically no burden to the colony. Last year it was reported that there was a small surplus of revenue over expenditure ; and during the year just closed, 1 believe that the cost to the colony was only some hundreds of pounds, and it is considered that there would be a balance on the right side of the ledger if the mail day had not been changed. This brought about a loss on postages, because the people were not accustomed to it, but the former day has now been reverted to. Jlne 28. The Ministerial Programme. The Government measures which are absolutely necessary to be put through this session are the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act Repeal Bill, three Native Bills, the Fair Rent Bill, and the Land Act Amendment Bill. The Bryce Banquet. About thirty members of the House will attend Mr Bryce's banquet at Wanganui on Saturday. The Premier, Mr Fergus, and probably Mr Mitchelson will represent the Cabinet. Hurrying Through. The Premier will probably give notice to-day of his intention to take one of the private members' days for Governmentbusine3s for the remainder of the session, The Fair Rent Bill. The Government will not submit to the amendments made by the Waste Lands Committee in the Fair Rent Bill, but will endeavor to put it through as originally introduced. The Criminal Code. The Hon. Mr Buckley is anxious that Mr Fergus should take charge of his Criminal Code Bill, but there is not the faintest hope of this comprehensive measure being passed during the present sessun. The California!! Thistle. Clutha M'Kenzie's Californian Thistle Bill passed the Stock Committee yesterday, and the I'remier has agreed to take it up as a Government measure. The Colonial Secretary will probably take charge of the Bill. Jotting'. At the Bryce banquet the ex-Defence Minister will be presented with a library of books worth L 370. Considerable opposition to the tea duty was shown by siome of the West Coast members, who object to the repeal of the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act, from which certain local bodies on the coast derive subsidies. The passage of the Bills providing for free trade in Native lands is considered doubtful at this late period of the session, but the Government will force them on. Mr Monk intends to introduce a clause directed against the acquiring of big estates by private individuals. He will seek to limit the right of individuals to acquire more than the present land law allows, the quantity being from 500 to 2,000 acres according to quality. Private members' business will be taken to-day, and the Estimates probably to-mor-row evening. A No-confidence Motion Looming. It is almost certain that the Estimates will be met by a motion to still further reduce them by a large amount, but it ia doubtful, whether the Government will accept the proposal, Messrs Hobbs, Monk, and other staunch Government supporters have advised their party that they will have to vote for such a motion if made. Hotel Clubs.

The Colonial Secretary aaya there ia no power to cancel the licenses of clubs who hold their meetings in hotels unlesß the Licensing Act ia evaded. It is not intended in future to grant licenses to clubs meeting in hotels.