POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 8613, 5 September 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(RKFOBTKB.J \. SBIfErfBEB i, '■ Veit jtiMhib l^Mtee. According to righto iujne Legislative Council, that?in order to get rid otthem,and Bgainobtain the proper control the people of the colony Wald not mind recognising a money value cf even LIO,OOO or L 20,000, and baying oat these righto.

..v. »B»nr«<uOr Bot? ■.-■ It was stated by the Premier last night that he had inquired into the statement that the seven members of the Legislative Counoil appointed by the Atkinson Government had agreed to come under the seven years' tenure of office if a Bill limiting the tenure Wre passed, and he could not find that any each pledge had been given. Messrs T. Thompson and R. Thompson, however, stated that Sir Harry Atkinson had told them that such*,pledge had been obtained. Two members of the late Ministry—Captain Bussell and the Hon, G. Richardson—could ohly be "drawn” to the extent of saying that it was not usual to disclose State secrets. The Land Bill. The debate on the Land Bill wae opened id the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon, when ■ ■ The Colonial Secretary moved itsseoond reading in the oourseof a long speech. The Hon, Mr Stevens spoke strongly against the " one man one-ron ” principle, and was also severe in hie- condemnation of the restrictions attempted to be put on the purchase of laud for cash. 'The debate will be oontinned on Monday, and on its conclusion the Bill to to be remitted to the Waste Lands Committee for ‘ consideration.

The Electoral Bill has safely weathered its stormy passage through the Lower House, and will be forwarded to " another place ”on Monday. A long discussion took place at yesterday’s .sitting in reference to the votes of half-caste Maoris, and ultimately it was agreed that any half-caste holding the requisite qualification could register npon the European rolls, bntinthat case he could not vote for the election of Maori members.

The Premier moved a new clause compel-, ling all public-houses to be closed on the day of any general election. On Mr Macdonald’s motion the clause was amended so as to prohibit any publican parrying on business two miles of a polling booth from supplying Honor op. polling day, but on another division the whole clause was, thrown out by $2 to 13. The Bill was reported and was then recommitted. Several necessary amendments arising from tbe abolition of freehold qualification were made, and a new provision, which was inserted on Wednesday on Mr Buiok’s motion, requiring the ballot boxes of a polling place where less than forty votes are recorded to be sent to the returning officer unopened, #as struck out. The Bill was then read a third time afld passed,

Upper House Reform. The means by which the Legislative Council can be reformed were threshed out on the floor of the House last night tn Connection with the measure introduced by tiie Government, and known as the Council Reform Bill, In committee the minimum age of appointees to the. Upper House was reduced without dissent from thirty-five years to twenty-one. The Premier next moved to reduce the period for which future councillors should hold office from ten to seven years, with the power of reappointment amongst others. Mr O’Gonor objected to the Bill altogether, on the ground that it tended to delay tbe kind of reform that was really asked for by the country—namely, placing the Council on an elective basis. He appealed to the House to thrort out the Bill, and to test feeling on the question he moved that the Chairman should leave the chair. A strong bid for the complete abolition of the Legislative Council was made by Sir G. Grey. After considerable discussion Mr O’Oonor withdrew his motion, and the word “ ten ” having been struck out of the clause, Sir G. Grey moved to insert “ three,” but this was negatived by 39 to 11, and a further amendment by Sir George to limit the term to five years met with a similar fate. Tbe term of seven years was then assented to on the voices. Sir G. Grey next moved to make the seats elective, but the Chairman ruled such a motion oat of order. Mr O’Conor moved to make every appointment contingent upon the recommendation of a resolution of the House of Representatives ; but this also was ruled out of order, as the Governor’s power of appointment had been affirmed by the earlier clauses of the Bill, as well as by the Constitution Act, An amendment by Mr T. Thompson, to make the limitation of tenure apply to all appointments rilade since Ist January, 1891, was accepted on the voices. Thereupon Captain Russell said that this amendment would jeopardise the Bill; and the Premier replied that the House had come to its conclusion on a statement made by Mr T, Thompson, that he had been told by a member of the late Ministry that the seven gentlemen appointed last January gave a pledge that they would come under the limited tenure. If that pledge had been given, the decision was a proper one. In the next clause a provision enabling the Governor to grant leave of absence to councillors for more than one session was struck out. On tne Premier’s motion, clause 7, which gave the Council the power of appointing its own Speaker, was agreed to; and on Mr Rees’s motion tbe provision requiring the Bill to be reserved for the Queen’s pleasure was excised. Mr Fish moved to add a new clause, that any member of tbe present Council who voluntarily resigns shall be allowed to retain the title of honorable and his railway pass, and also have access to the parliamentary library for life. As the Premier considered the proposal in regard to tbe title to be an infringement of the prerogative of the Crown, Mr Fish agreed to witiujraw that part of his proposal, and, on a division, the remainder of the clause was agreed to by 22 to 20. The amendments made in committee were agreed to, and, on the third reading being put, Sir George Grey called for a division, with the result that the motion was carried by 40 to 12. After a little gpod-natured chaff, the Bill was passed, and, if the Council concur in the amendment made, this instalment of reform will be given the effect of law,

Jottings. In the course of the debate on the Electoral Bill the Premier reminded hon. members that the supply of liquor to electors on polling day was a corrupt practice, and that it was unnecessary to legislate against, it. In the thirteen months from Ist of May, 1890, to 30th June, 1891| the number of nominated immigrants brought Into the colony was 168, representing 144$ adults. The total passage money was L 2.220, of which L 1,435 was paid in the colony by the nominators. Sinpe the immigration policy began the total Immigrants have been 114,898 soiiis, equal to 97,230£ adults.

The Public Accounts Committee, reporting upon three more petitions which have been submitted to them, repeat their recommendation that a compassionate allowance of LSOO should be made to Mrs J. C. Brown in consideration of her late hnsband’s services to the colony as a legislator. Mr Rhodes is urging the Government to induced the Railway Commissioners to reduce the freight of wire netting suitable fqr rabbit fencing to the same price as ordinary fencing wire. J “ Every member of the Legislative Council,” said Dr Newman lost night, “ after he has been there a few years, gets infected with the monldy old rot and becomes fossilised.” Sir John Hall protested against the nee of such uncomplimentary terms in reference, to a branch of the Legislature, and the dewtorhadto tone down his language. Sir. G.' Grey, says that (he Legislative Councils has become almost a hereditary body, aawitnei« the appointment of eons of deceaised membecs .fo their parents’ places. Amongst those who threw 'ottb' hft own’ Friendly Societies BUI he fouudpne man and his son-in-law.andanotiiermember ofa certain company and hie brbther-ln-lttir. ' The Government agree to put asmaUsuro on the Supplementary Inmates to.defray the aothal travelling expenses of members of the educatimwJ iWJtltnto(i. meeting to bit held "In Cbristobofcb' npx| January. A bran tablet to the memory of the late R. Turnbull, M.fl.R, for Timarn, who died

in Wellington last, year, hap been placed on the wall of the main lobby of Parliament Buildings by hie fellow-members. It heart this inscription: "The oitabry of the fail is blessed. ■ ’ ',r , The annual BUI for the the Property Tax was into House yesterday by Jgg Governor, and passed tiuP|Pgb Its earlier stages without comment. Mr Kelly, member for Invercargill, says that the extravagance he has noticed since elected to the House has been so great that if the facts were only known to the electors of the colony they would sweep away every '4me of .their present representatives. _ In response to representations made by ihe Southern Maori members, Mr Cadman hiw sUtod tM be Will daring Hie recess make arrangements for providing distressed Natives with relief. . . The Femaleßuffrage Bill has been read a first time In the Council, and itl second reading fixed for Wednesday. Both evening papers strongly, censure the, Premier for insincerity in connection with the female franchise Question. The ‘-'post* says that in not keeping faith With the ladies Mr Ballance was truckling to the truculent Mr fish i while the ‘ Press ’ de : dares that the attitude of the Government oh this matter is so ignoble as to be almost beneath contempt. The permanent artillerymen have heretofore labored under the disadvantage of being debarred from exercising the parliamentary franchise, though policemen were allowed the privilege. Mr Jackson Palmer was promised an amendment of the Electoral Bill yesterday which removes this restriction. The Selectors’ Land Revaluation BUI was, .read a third time in the Council yesterday. . _ Consideration of a motion by the Hon. R, Pharazyn—“ That in the opinion of the Council a thoroughly equipped agricultural department should be estaousbed, to advise the farmers as to the means of combating with animal and vegetable peats’’—has been deferred till Monday. The Colonial Secretary says that the cost of suoh an expert as the resolution suggests would be L 2,000 a year, and the country oannot afford that expenditure at present. Both Chambers have agreed to the amendment made by their managers as to the allocation of the license revenues in connection with the Auctioneers Bill.

The open-air meeting held last night to protest against the action of the Legislative Council in connection with the Labor Bills was poorly attended. At the inception of the proceedings some mischievously disposed persona aimed a couple of unsavory eggs at the chairman, Owing to the illness of Mr Amelins Smith, secretary to the Premier, bis place has been taken temporarily by Mr 0. Leokie, private secretary to Sir H. Atkinson during the late Parliament. Mr Bnokland told the House lost night that the only step which would make him support the Premier was the latter’s calling of Sir George Grey to the Legislative Council, in which case the House would get rid of the hon. gentleman's annual sermons.

The Legislative Council baa agreed to sit on Mondays lor the remainder of the session.

Mr X. K. Ma.cdons.ld asserted last evening that the wealthy men gave practically a free hand in the supply of liquor at election times, and that this was done in Wellington in December last, when sums of from LI,OOO to L 1,500 were spent, and a large portion of this amount must have been consumed in liqnor; whereupon an bon. member expressed the conviction that the working men of Wellington would “ thank Mr Macdonald very much for the degradation thus cast npon them.” Bill Passed. The Dentist Act Amendment Bill was passed through committee and read a third time. A new clause was added, on Mr La wry's motion, providing for the appointment of a board of examiners at each of the four centres, who should have power to issue certificates of competency. Otago University. The University of Otago Council Election BUI, which provides for the representation of the graduates on the Council, was piloted through committee by the Minister of Education, The word “professors” was added to the interpretation clause, and interpreted as meaning professors and lecturers appointed by the Council. On Mr Mills’s motion, clause 7 (voting by proxy) was struck out, Mr Hutchison’s protest coming just after the voices had been given. Clause 9 (providing how vacancies are to be filled) was struck out at the Minister’s instance, and the following new clauses substituted: through the death or resignation of members of the Council in office at the time of the passing of this Act shall be filled by persons elected or nominated, as the case may be, in the following order: The first, third, fifth, iixth, and seventh vacancies shall be filled by persons elected by graduates; the second and fourth vacancies by persons elected by the professors; and the remaining vacancies by persons appointed by the Governor-in-Counoil. 9a. Every Vacancy occurring through death or retirement of any member of the Council appointed or elected nnder this Act shall be filled by the person appointed or elected by the authority by which deceased or retiring member was appointed or elected.” The Bill was reported as amended, read a third time and passed. Loans to Local Bodies' 1 The Opposition scented what they took to be a job last night in the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment BUI, which enables the Treasurer to apply L 50,000 in any year out of moneys raised nnder the Act of 1886 to the making of roads to and through unsold lands in the interests of settlement They pointed out that It would give the Government enormous power of patronage, and suggested various restricting amendments, none of which Mr Seddon, who bad charge of the Bill, would agree to. The Minister urged that the circumstances this year were exceptional, inasmuch as large areas of Crown lands were falling into toe hands of the Government, and needed to be opened up. Thereupon Sir John Hall asked the Government to agree to limit the operation of the Bill till twelve months, bat this they scooted. On Mr Houston declaring that the Bill would enable very necessary works to be done in his district, the Opposition took np a determined stand, and pointed to that assertion as proof that there was something in their suspicions. Messrs Fergus, Moore, and Mackenzie “ stonewalled ” for an bonr and a-half, but at 3.30, recognising that Ministers bad a large majority at their backs, the little band gave way, and allowed the Bill to go through committee. They wUI, however, return to the charge when the motion for the third reading comes on. A clause was added requiring detaUs of the expenditure to be hud before Parliament within ten days after its meeting. A proposal by Mr Fergus that no expenditure should take place until the money woe appropriated by Parliament was lost by 21 to 6. Aiding the RevenueThe two methods of raising the revenue which I predicted in the first week of the session as likely to find a place in the Financial Statement are being resorted to In the Stamp Duties Amendment Act, the intro-duction-of which was announced by the Premier to-day. They are the tax on the gross takings through the medium of the totalisator, and a stamp duty on passenger tickets. The totalisator tax is to be at the rate of 1J per cent on all moneys invested in the machine, and the amount derived from this tax is to be paid in to the coffers of the Bonk of New Zealand. Failure to comply with the Act is to be met by a penalty of L2O. Steamboat passengers’ tickets of L2 and upwards are to he made liable to stamp dJjty as receipts—viz., one penny. Provision is also made in this Bill for deeds of gift being charged duty the same as settlements. earning Events, «to. ' On two or three occasions recently the Premier has moved Mr Fish lh(6 the Chair on going Into Committee of the Whole. On the principle that great events from little censes sometimes spring, the quid nuncs are beginning to wonder whether Mr Balance's -action i?«a preliminary step towards making the ipember for Dunedin the permanent Chairman of Committees, vice Mr Perceval. Tbit he has the necessary qualifications for the position an undoubted, and the businesslike manner in which be has acted as chair-

manjNhe FnbUc Editions (M to Z) Committee has bmp mpmiy ooniinsnted' p,on hyprery jppbody.. |Sf ■ 0& na of protests from their, constituents against the proposed increase. '- - . , Penny Passage. The second reading of the PostmasterGeneral’s Bill dealing with the penny hostage is ip be movndon Monday, The reform wul not oome into fopqe till the end of the financial year—viz., >Marth 31.