POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 8267, 12 July 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Oitr Paw.iajikntary Rewmitkr. WELLINGTON, July 11 The Maritime Council's Platform. Sir Robert Stout draws my attention to the fact that nearly all the planks advocated in tho Maritime Labor Council's platform havo long had his support. Taking their platform in its order, he says that the Stont-Vogel Administration were ejecttd from office owing to their attempt to impose a protective tariff; that at the last election they favored a progressive land and income tax ; that for years he has advocated that there should be no sales of Crown lands or Crown properties. As to the fourth plank he reminded me that about thirteen years ago be advocated in the House a plebiscitum on the same lines as the proposed referendum, which gives the people power to reject or p.*ss important measures upon which the two Houses disagree As to the seamen's representation, Sir Robert points out that the Seamen's Franchise KM which waß before the late Parliament was drawn hy liimself, and he gave it to Mr Bruce to introduce. Tli3 light Hours Bill always had his support; and ho ho recognised the necessity of payment of members as to urge that the honorarium should be L2OO, which his Ministry carried under their Honorarium Act. The judicious continuation of public works was also advocated In the direction of the completion made by him at the last general election, of existing lines, A proposal to Impose a kpecial ta\ on absentee landloids was really when he urged that those who had been sit months in the colony and had paid tho Property Tax, should be allowed 10 per cent, reduction. The ex-Premier coneiderß that the last proposal of the Maritime Conncil —a uniform set of school books for tho colony to be published by tho Government hardly primed within the sphere; of general politic".

in ills Right Klement st I^atii. For several sessions past Kir George Grey has played a comrletely lone hand, and as he; has never graced either of tho whip rooms will his presence, he has not been looked on as a paity man. The member for Auckland Cential would, howevor, appear to have at last m.-vdp up his mind as to his future intentions. While in the lobbies this evening he invited Mr Taylor to show him the Opposition whips' room, and to the evident satisfaction of the member for Sydenham he entered it, and hung up his coat there. This action, Mr Taylor coniiders, identifies Sir George with tho Opposition party, and he will not hereafter be regarded an a freelance. The Government Printing Office. The profits of the Government Printing &nd jnery Depaitment during the past year are slated in the Government printer's annual report to have been L 7,240, aft r making allowance for interest and deprecia'ion on the building and plant. The value ot the werk done was L 28,"58, baing an incroaseof L 4.715. Arrangements aro being made by the Government printer for taking over tho contract of the stamp printing branch of the Stamp Department, in which improvements are to be made, resulting in a saving of nearly L'loo in the expenditure on labor. A Criminal Anneal Court. Mr Downie Stewart is introducing a Criminal Cases Appeal BilL which makes provision for appeals being made in any important criminal case. The constitution of the criminal appeal tribunal is provided for in the Hill. Tlie nummylsm Inquiry was advanced a stage to-day, when Sir R. Stout was examined. He taid that he had no personal knowledge of dummyism in Otago. His knowledge was confined to the evidence given in the case of Rcid v, GiUiand recently heard at Duncdin, and in which aotion Mr Justice Williams was expected to givo his decision in a day or two. Mr Baker, Crown Lands Commissioner for Canterbury, said that he had suspicions that dummyism existed in that provincial district. In his opinion the ballot system was in a great m asure tho cause of it.

The Financial Debate has not yet run its course, but will extern! into next week. The running waa taken tip this evening by Mr O'Cosou, who advocated tho taxation of skipping companies and the imposition of a progressive land and income tax. The Hon. B. Richahdson urged that the functions of the Public Works Department ought to be divided amongst tho other branches of the service, and concluded by strongly advocating an immediate dissolution, on the grounds that no good work wa3 likely to bo done this session.

The proceedings, which had been dull while the two speakers just mentioned held possession of the floor, were rendered even more monotonous by MrlzirtD, who mumbled something to the effect that ho deprecated the discussion in tho House of Ministers' pecuniary liabilities. The Ministeb of Education gave a muchneeded fillip to the debate by making a lengthy review of tho speeches made by the Opposition members during this debate. He gave a vigorous denial to the assertion that there was any pressing necessity for immediate dissolution. Mr Skddon spoke at great length, charging the Government with delaying an appeal to the country on all and any pretexts. The speakers next week will include Messrs Macarthur, Kelly, Brown, and the Native Minister, JOttIDRS. According to Mr' Feddon, the unimproved land held by Sir J. Hall is valued at L 84.000, and his improved land is worth only L.7,500. No wonder, the hon. gentleman added, that the member for Selwyn supported a property tax. A good deal of the Minister of Education's address to-night was taken up with the Judge Edwards matter. Referring to the appointment of Mr Edwards to the Supreme Court bench, the hon. gentleman denied that it was required by law that the salary of a Judge of the Supreme Court must be fixed before the appointment can be made constitutionally. The Supreme Court Act Amendment Bill was not Intended to provide for anything of this sort, and, as a matter of fact, the Supreme Court Act did not limit the Governor in the appointment of the Judges. July 12, A Characteristic Reply. Mr Fish and Dr Fitchett have sent this joint reply to Messrs R, Wdson, Ritchie, and the other gentlemen f-igniog the telegraphic protest against the waste of time that is going on : " Thanks for your telegram. The general hope ' is expressed here that a more intelligent body of the citizens of Dunedin did not concur in pronouncing the discussion in Parliament on the financial and industrial outlook of the colony to be a waste of time. We would suggest that your influence might be more powerfully emp'oyed for the public good by petitioning for a dissolution of Parliament at the close of the. financial debate."

Mamma: " Bobby, I noticed that your little sister took the smaller apple. Did you let her have her choice, as 1 told you to ?" Bobby: •• Yes, I told her she could have the little one or none, and she chose the little one."