POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 8566, 13 July 1891, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

I [FBOM OCB PABIUMKNXABT EePOBXKB, ] 1 WELLINGTON, July 13. Providing Work for tbe CdttneiL A number of small Bills will be pro* ceeded with this week, in order to provide work for tbe Legislative Council. The Agent-Generalship. As to the Agent-Generalship, I think you may take this as the ‘‘straight tip”: An appointment, for policy reasons, will not be made till after the session Closes, and that the time between Sir F. D, Bell’s departure and the appointment of his successor will be filled up by Mr Kennaway taking the control of the Agent-General’s department. The New Taxation Scheme. Ministers ridiculed the Idea entertained by leading Oppositionists that the taxation Bills will not be proceeded with this session, They allege that the view of the officers of the Property Tax Department, and their own individual opinion, are that tbe revenue was under-estimated by seventy thousand under the original proposals as contained in the Financial Statement. It is further asserted by members of the Cabinet that the necessary revenue will be forthcoming under the modified proposals. The taxation Bills will be ciroulated about tbe end of this or the beginning of next week. The income tax, though made less burdensome to traders and merchants, will be continued on a graduated scale. Loaning of Trust Moneys. The Public Trust and Government Life Insurance Offices now lend money on freehold security at 5 per pent,, but decline to make any advances on land held under perpetual lease. The Premier was to-day interviewed by a large deputation of members with a view to having tbe privilege of borrowing from these sources extended. It was suggested that advance* should be made on peruetnai lease lands to tbe wte°* uf half the value of the improvements previously made. The Government in this way, while making advances to their own tenants, could materially assist tbe development of the country’s resources. The Premier promised to obtain the opinion of experts ou the proposal. He was inclined to think that loans should be made to a certain extent on perpetual lease lands, but he was strongly opposed to allow-' ing trust moneys to be lent except on freehold security. The Labor Bills Committee to day considered the Employers’ Liability Amendment Act, and will report it to tbe House ns printed, except that tbe work of an “ for " workman,” so as to include females. The recommendations made by the Employers’ Association were to strike out clause 6, which provides that compensation for injury sustained shall be assessed by a court, < jury, or assessors, with « proviso for limitation in certain oases; also, to strike ont tbe section extending the right of action to six months from the date when the person 1 injured is capable of giving tbs requisite notice. The Committee declined to give effect to these recommendations. They also decided to report the Truck Bill as , printed and without amendment, thus declining to give effect to the recommendations either of the Employers’ Association or tbe j Labor Conferences. I