POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 7996, 27 August 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Oca Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 28. The End Approaches. It was distinctly announced by the Premier to-night that, Bo far as the Government can see, there is no reason why Parliament should not be prorogued in about a fortnight. The Course of Business. On the House meeting to-night the Premier made a statement as to the intentions of the Government regarding the course of business. He said that they proposed not to proceed with the Corrupt Practices Bill, the Destitute Persons and the Hospitals and Charitable Aid As to the Bankruptcy Bill, it had been circulated only for the information of members. There were several useful small Bills which it would be necessary to get through, but he could not read a list of them, because some of them would depend on how long the House intended to sit. Several new Bills were yet to be introduced which would not raise party feeling and would prove of considerable advantage to the public. When the Public Works Estimates were called on he would state what it was proposed to do in regard to public works. Next day the Native Bills would be dealt with, and the Government would endeavor to get the House to pass them in some form. The Government would probably propose to proceed no further with the Property Assessment Bill.—(Cheers.] In answer to Mr Ballance the Premier said that the Native Meetings Bill was one of those to be proceeded with, but some communication with the Native members on the subject was going on. Taxation of Bondholders. A debate was raised in the House to-night by Mr Ballance inquiring what action the Government proposed to take in reference to Sir G. Grey’s amendment in favor of the taxation of foreign bondholders in London. So far as the Opposition were concerned, every member of that party was prepared to express disapprobation of the proposal. The Premier agreed that the proposal was quite absuid, and as the Opposition had now expressed their opinion the matter should not be discussed by the House, because mischief might be done even in that way. After a denial by Sir G. Grey that his proposal tended to repudiation, and a complaint that no opportunity had been given him for discussing it, several hon. members emphatically expressed their disapproval of the proposal, and the discussion dropped. The Otago Central. Fourteen members attended the meeting convened this afternoon by Mr Pyke of the supporters of the Otago Central Railway Bill. The following resolutions were adopted :—“ (1) That the Government be requested to proceed with the Qjago Central Railway Bill during this session with such amendments as may be deemed advisable. (2) That as the Otago Central Railway Bill was, in the_ opinion of this meeting, a decided step in the direction of closing the Public Works policy, the Bill should not now be abandoned. (3) That failing procedure with the Bill, the Government should in any other way proceed with the line.” Resolutions were also proposed that the Bill should be proceeded with as a Government measure, and that the Government be requested to place a sum on this year’s Estimates to make provision for proceeding with contracts beyond Middlemarch, but both were negatived. Relief for Crown Tenants. On the motion for the committal of the Selectors’ Land Revaluation Bill to-night it was agreed on the motion of Mr J. M’Kenzie, that It be an instruction to the Committee toiasert a clause removing doubts whether land acquired under Land Acta before 1887 should be taken into account in calculating the amount allowed to be taken up under the Act of 1887. The Bill was reviewed ?n committee without any amendment beyond that proposed by the Waste Land Committee, that the provisions of the Bill ■should apply to selectors under the village homesteads settlement system. Objection was taken by Mr Scobie Mackenzie to the clause which makes the decision of Waste Lands Boards as to revaluation subject to the review of the Minister. Other members, however, thought it was desirable that the Minister, who was answerable to the House, should have the ultimate control rather than that absolute power should be given to an Irresponsible board ; and they carried the clause on the voices. Progress was then reported in order to decide whether Mr J. M’Kenzie’s motion should be carried into effect. Jottings. The Wi Pere Land Grant Bill passed all its stages in the House to-night. The motion for going into Supply to.nigbt was intercepted by Mr Verrall with his State Bank fad. Mr Taylor and Mr Seddon alone spoke to the motion, and they comp’ained that the question did not receive that consideration which its importance demanded, The adjournment of the debate till to-morrow was then put and agreed to. August 27. The Ward-lllslop Incident. The Ward-Hislop Committee have completed taking evidence. I hear that they will merely lay the evidence on the table of the Council without making any recommendation. The Postal savings Banks. The Public Accounts Committee have recommended that the administration of the Post Office Savings Bank funds be placed in the hands of a Board, and that the Government be reouested to bring in a Bill this session for that purpose. Consideration of the report has been deferred till to-morrow, Dunstan’s Little Joke. On the House meeting to day Mr Pyke gave notice of motion for Thursday, amid laughter—” That this House has no confidence in the Leader of the Opposition.” The Speaker said he could not undertake that ‘she question would appear on the Order Paper. Assisted Immigration. The Government have in contemplation the placing of a sum of money on the Supplementary Estimates for the assisted immigration of young people who have brothers and sisters resident in the colony. The Chambers of Commerce. The deputation from the Chambers of Commeroe consisted of Messrs Duncan, Mills, Reid, and Dutbie, representing Wellington ; Ross (of Sargood’s) and Withy, Auckland ; Allen, and Duncan. The hardship of the recently-issued circular having been pointed out, the Premier promised to consider the matter. He wanted the duty ‘to be equitable everywhere, and did not desire to impose a fine in case of a pare mistake.