POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 8611, 3 September 1891, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(From Oub Parliamentary Reporter.j WELLINGTON, September 2. Creating Faggot Votes. Arguing against the freehold qualification in parliamentary elections, Mr Rees yesterday stated that in Auckland some years ago Mr J. S. M‘Farlane (now deceased), for the purpose of securing votes, out up his property near RiVerhead into small allotments just of sufficient value to give the freehold qualification to vote; and 250 names were thns placed on the roll, He (Mr Rees) appeared in his legal capacity against their enrolment, and there was such a patent infringement of the Act that the greater number of the names so put on the roll were •track off.

Not * Question of Privilege. As a result of his characteristic out l spokenness, Mr Bnckland came into collision With the labor representatives yesterday afternoon. It had been asserted by Mr Tanner that many working men were debarred from toting at the last General Election because they were absent from home on polling day. To this the member for Manukau retorted that this everlasting working man was not the only person who suffered from that disability. Many of the better class of people —(cries of “ Oh ”)—well, the more respectable class—(further interruption) well, he meant “those who did not come into the House with everlasting crawling words in their mouths,” were in exactly the same position. The really honest man, he added, was not represented by the labor members. This last remark brought Mr J. Kelly to his feet with a few words of vigorous protest. He asked Mr Buckland to speak for the Auckland electors if be chose, but not to reflect upon those of tbe South. Mr Buckland toned down his remark by explaining that he had only meant “politically honest.” The Chairman of Committee ruled that as there was no reflection upon any hon. member of the House ho could not call upon Mr Buckland to withdraw his statement. Jottings. The guests at the dinner to Mr Bryce on Saturday night, will include Mr James Allen and Mr Beetham (ex-member for Masterton). The toast of the evening will be proposed by Sir John Hall. Tne Wellington Hebrew congregation yesterday passed the following resolution: — “ That a letter of thanks be forwarded to Sir G. Grey for his kind and sympathetic remarks made in his speech in proposing that a memorial be sent to the Czar of All the Russias on behalf of our distressed and persecuted co-religionists domiciled in his dominions.”

The Auctioneers Bill will bo amended by providing that fees shall, as hitherto, be paid into the district where the auctioneer conducts his business. A new clause is being drafted to enable auctioneers to pay into a trust account moneys received on account of real property till the title thereto is completed. When the Payment for Members Bill is under consideration, Mr Duncan will move to have the annual payment fixed at 200 guineas (L 210). Mr Palmer tried to introduce the closure into the House of Representatives last night by moving, alter a good deal of discussion on one of the clauses of the Electoral Bill, “that the question be now put.” His proposal was met with roars of laughter and cries of “You can’t do it,” and the hon. gentleman had to si and a good deal of chaff. " When I’m under the influence," began an hon, member in the House last night; and an outburst of laughter caused him to stop short, He proceeded to turn the joke against the occupants of the Opposition benches by completing the sentence with these words; “Of the big banks and other institutions of that kind.”

Mr Fish denied that the working men of Dunedin wish a holiday on the day of the General Election, which Mr Earnshaw denied, and charged the “mediocre” member for Dunedin with a bit of special pleading on behalf of the public-house interest. September 3. The Small Birds Nuisance. The Live Stock Committee to-day had under consideration the Small Birds Nuisance Bill. The moat important amendment made was allowing local bodies to strike a special rata without reference to the ratepayers, the rate being limited to a farthing in the £ Favorably Reported On. The Special Committee of the Upper Douse decided to recommend the Customs Excise Duties Bill to be proceeded with. The Asent-fleneralshlp. All sorts of vague rumors have been heard concerning the Agent - Generalship ; but, despite a Ministerial assurance that the matter has ryit been considered in Cabinet, I still adhere to my opinion, given several weeks ago, that Mr Perceval will get the appointment. Abolition of the Property Qualification. The action of the Government, supported by the extreme Radicals, in abolishing the property qualification is generally commented on adversely, and if the Electoral Bill goes up to the Council in its present form an inducement will be held out for its rejection. Speaking editorially, the ‘New Zealand Times ’ says“ The Government delivered themselves yesterday into the bands of the extreme Radicals. If they persist in abolishing the property qualification the Government will be bound hand and foot, and the leaders who submit to be treated in that way are within measurable distance of shipwreck. The Radicals are not content with reducing property to the voting level of the masses; they insist/m depriving property of all power whatsoever. The logical sequence of making manhood suffrage the ' only suffrage 1 is the admission of the Maori to every electoral roll in the colony where there is a Maori, and doingaway with his special representation. The Government should either stand by the property qualifioation, by the process of recommitting the Electoral Bill, or should insist upon the logical consequence of including the Maori. If they falter they will be bound hand and foot by the Radicals, and be lost.”

Tbe Native Land Bill. The Committee to whom this measure was referred met to-day and took tbe evidence of Wi Pere, Major Kemp, and Wi Parata, who asked that the Bill should be postponed in order to allow the Native Minister to ascertain the wishes cf the Natives generally, A letter from the Native chiefs assembled in Wellington was placed before the Committee, It asks that a short Bill be introduced making district committees to aid the Native Land Court in giving titles to a block, the committees to administer each district block, and

to be chosen from the owners ; the stoppage of individual dealings where a large number of owners are concerned ; and the appointment of a commission to decide as to all past transactions, including trusts. The Female Franchise is virtually killed, and its death knell will be sounded to-night. Mr Fish and Mr Swan have been most active in bringing about this result. The Female Suffrage Bill, in committee, is the first Order for this afternoon after the

10031 Bills are disposed of. Assisting Technical Schools. On going into Committee of Supply, Mr Pinkerton w ill move that LI,OOO be placed on the Supplementary Estimates as a contribution at the rate of £ for £ to assist the formation and continuance of technical classes in the colony. The Government will support the vote. The Waikato Seat. The Opposition are sangnine of carrying the Waikato seat. Tbe Freeholders’ Qualification. Tbe Government accept the decision oi the Committee abolishing the property qualification in the Electoral Bill. Thu means killing the measure in the Council. Judge Edwards’s Case. Captain Russell presented a petition t< the House from Judge Edwards praying foi redress, as he had given op his practice as t

lawyer in order to take a responsible position under the Grown. . ( The Otago University. -The Government have taken charge of the University of Otago Council Election Bill.

Added to the List. The Council rejected the Shop Hours Bill by 21 to 8,