POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 9771, 30 July 1895, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Odr Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, July 30. Why Overlooked ?

Complaint is made by Mr Earnshaw that he was not informed of the deputation of Otago members that was to wait on the Premier regarding the Otago Central expenditure, and he assures me that the first intimation he had concerning the matter was on learning of the item when he perused the Evknino Star. He says that the return supplied by the Public Works Department Is misleading, and Ho intends to ask for further information. Banking Amalgamation.

It has been industriously rumored in the lobbies that banking legislation will be introduced this week, out I have the authority of the Treasurer for stating that that no such legislation is intended. All that the Government propose will be embodied in the Financial Statement, and will be in the direction of the appointment of a special committee to consider the position of the properties held by the Bank of New Zealand. Aiding Hie Millers' Association. Mr Earnshaw gave notice to-day to ask if the Government will favorably consider the representations made to them by the Otago Miners’ Association—namely, to grant them the ranie subsidy as is being given to the unemployed relief fund, seeing that this legalisation is for the same object — viz., providing work for the unemployed — and with a greater certainly of arriving at a solution of the unemployed difficulty. Further, will the Government assist the Otago Miners’ Association in the same direction as the Labor Bureau assists the unemployed— viz., by graining free railway pisses to the Association for those unemployed whom they desire to place at work on “tho goldfields of Otago, and if to such pe sons they will further grant free miners' rights, to be good tor , say, a term of two years. The Uiincdiu Drainage Scheme. The Local Bills Committee of the Council to-day excised from tire Dunedin Drainage Bill the two clauses which were added to the measure in the House at tiie instance of Mr E-imshaw and Mr Millar. '1 heso provided that the consent of the ratepayers had to be obtained before buildings could be erected, and that outside boroughs should have the right subsequently to come in, and, failing an agreement, an appeal should be made to the Compensation Court under the Public Works Act. The Age of Consent. Tho city and suburban members are being urged by" th; Women’s Franchise League and kindred institutions to induce the Government to stand linn in their resolve to raise tho age of consent to sixteen years and to repeal tire C. 1). Acts. Au ingenious .Move, The Premier told the House that he would hive the Licensing .Bill brought down tomorrow at the latest. This move is clearly iutcml- d to intercept tho discussion of Mr M’Nab’s Bill to-morrow night. Jottings. Mr G. J. Smith wants Parliament to adjourn from August 28 to September 2 to enable members to visit the Christchurch Industrial Exhibition. When the Government Licensing Bill is under consideration Dr Newman will move the insertion of clauses abolishing tied houses.

Mr Guinness is asking whether the Government will abolish posing© on newspapers. The Council lb's afternoon, by 20 to 11, rejected the Contagious Diseases Repeal Bill.