POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 9185, 14 July 1893, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Ocb Paeuamextaby Rotobtkr.] WELLINGTON, JcLY 14. Tbe Sydenham Muddle, A deputation from the Licensed Victuallers' Conference, introduced by Mr Sandford and Mr Taylor, interviewed the Minister of Justice last night regarding the decision, of the Supreme Co.urt at Christchurch a few days ago, by which the licenses granted to three hotels in Sydenham by the new Committee had been rendered illegal. The deputation asked, that the licenses should be validated till a local option poll was taken! They urged that the whole difficulty had been created by the Government dividing the Sydenham licensing district into wards. The Hon. Mr Reeves promised to bring the matter before tbe Cabinet, and obtain the opinion of the law officers of the Crown ; but he could not promise that a validating Bill would b9 introduced. Tbe Female Franchise. The Council, in dealing with the Representation Act Amendment Bill yesterday, altered in the schedule the name of a supposed elector in the electoral roll from that of a female to a male, in order that the principle of female franchise might not be allowed to creep into the Bill unobserved. This is another proof, if any were now required, that the women will not have the franchise at the coming General Election. Tfcc By-?lecUon*t. Messrs Cadman and Rees left for Auckland this morning. Mr Rees says that the challenge made in the House on Tuesday came on him as a surprise, and that upon reflection he would probably have waited for a parliamentary inquiry, but if he had declined the challenge it might have been said that he was afraid to appeal to the electors. Whether he is returned or not now Mr '.'adman will not be a candidate for Auckland City at the General Election. It is expected that Mr M'Gowan, Mayor of the Thames, will be returned uuopposed for the Thames seat. Councillor*' Salary. The Hon. R. Oliver objects to having his salary paid month}', and says that he always feels hurt when his cheque comes •oitnd every four weeks. That simple fact reduces the payment from an aristocratic honorarium to a plebeian salary, and hurts his feelings exceedingly. The Colonial Secretary's suggested cure for this injury to the hou. councillor's feelings is to pin the cheques together and hand them over to him in a packet at the end of the year. The Member for Penlasnla. Mr Earnshaw's speech is the topic of conversation in the lobbies to-day, and his friends argue thai his chances of re-election will be improved, since his speech will show that he is thoroughly in earnest on the question of temperance reform ; while others arguo that the Ministerial support is now likely to be transferred to Mr Dawson, and that the loss of Government support must prove fatal to the hero of last night's proceedings. It is all very well for Mr .Seddon to tell the House that his duty is to lead and to have control of the business to be brought before it, hut he (Mr Seddon) does not appear to be able to distinguish between leading and driving ; and his absolute want of tact, as I mentioned several days ago, is sure to get him into difficulties before the session is ended. Tbe Cry Agaittsl i'npilnh Several of the Ministerialists will join with the Opposition in objecting to the proposed increase of the graduated tax, and pressure is already being brought to bear on the Treasurer to induce him to abandon it. It is urged that in view of the recent financial suspensions every effort should be directed towards the investment of English capital in New Zealand, inst3ad,of adopting legislation the effect of which will be to frighten it away. the Cheviot Purchase* Mr EarushaW sounded the key note of the opposition to the Cheviot Estate Disposition Bill when he protested against the extent to which it is proposed to ask authority to sell these lauds for cash. It is an open secret that Mr Tanner and Mr Sandford take precisely the same view. Xot tbe Obstructionists This Time. In justice to the Opposition it should be explained that they made every effort to induce a postponement of the opening of the Financial debate till to-night, in order to permit of the Direct Veto Bill being discussed, but Mr Seddon was obdurate, aiid as no recognised members of the party would lead off, Mr Fish stepped into the breach and temporarily assumed the functions of the leader of the Opposition. And so the debate on the licensing question was shunted. Tbe Financial Debate. The Opposition feel aggrieved at the aotion of the Government in not defending their policy. The only Minister who has spoken so far, and he did not attempt to answer Sir John Hall, was Mr Carroll. Sir John opened the debate at the express wish of Mr Rolleston, who pail him the compliment justly due to him as the oldest member on that side of the House, and as one who had been Premier in the past. That he passed through the ordeal in a thoroughly creditable manner is generally Both Mr Thomas and Mr 'Scobie Mackenzie are understood to be preparing stir* ring speeches for the beginning of next week. The latter will, I understand, back up his Naseby deliverance, in which he alleged that the policy of the Government was one of imposture.