POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 9773, 1 August 1895, Page 4

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, Auum 1 Ministerial Treatment of Otago.

The treatment meted out by the Government to Otago, and especially to Dunedin, was made the subject of a lengthy complaint, by Mr Earnshaw yesterday afternoon. In pressing on the claims of the Otago Central Railway the lion, gentleman said that the return furnished by the Premier to Mr Pinkerton and others, and recently presented to the House, was misleading. The authorisation to March 31 last was not complied with, though the Hokilika-Grey-mouth line and roads on the West Coast had been getting their full pound of flesh. With the dearth of trade in Dunedin and business paralysed, the people there had a right to demand that the votes authorised should be spent in the district. Last session £15,000 was voted for the Government Insurance building, but nit a shilling xvas spent there during the financial year. Would any min build a ■warehouse after the manner in which the Dunedin Gaol was being constructed? The way that building was being proceeded with was a disgrace to tiie Public Works Department. It was actually being put up inch by inch.—The Minister of Lands said that the complaints regarding the construction of the Otago Central Railway and regarding the alleged misleading nature of the returns were made at the instance of the Otago Central Railway League. That organisation, he contended, was doing more,harm than good to the line—a statement which was heartily applauded by Mr Morrison and other members of the House. When in his own electorate he (Mr M'Kenzie) had told his constituents that this Railway League was constituted of a set of political highwaymen, and the people in whoso district the railway was situated applauded the remark, and expressed themselves satisfied with the progress that was being made with the line. What he got on his feet to say was this : If the completion of the Otago Central Railway was going to save Dunedin from becoming a second class city the sooner Dunedin was reconciled to being a second class city the better, for he did not believe that tho completion of this lice would make very much difference to that town. —Mr I’lukerlon said tlAt he was as desirous as any other member of the House to see expenditure on the Otago Central Railway, but he did not think that this to .slant fault - finding was the real way to success. In saying that it must, however, be understood that lie did not desire to appear as an apologist for the Government. Gencially speaking, the members of the Otago Central Railway League were thoroughly in earnest in their desire to see the line constructed, but some of them might have been made use of for political purposes. He did not think for a moment that the completion of the railway would make or unmake Dunedin,- Complaint was made by Mr Morrison that the Otago Central was being made a stalking horse to damage the Otago members in the eyes of tho .Southern people.—(Cries of “Oh.”) He knew that that was a strong assertion to make, but when they found a body of gentlemen like tho Otago Central Railway League gleefully taking every opportunity to seize on anything which would tell against the present Government one was forced to the conclusion that the League wore being used for political purposes.

A Vutive LaiuloMiicr’s Ole vancc. The case of Hamuera Tamahau Mahupuku, who, with £IB,OOO worth of laud in fee simple, is threatened with bankruptcy because the legislation of last session prevents him from selling or mortgaging any portion of his land, has been under the consideration of the Affairs Committee, who have recommended the petition of the Wairarapa chief to the “careful aid serious consideration of the Government, believing that cases of this kind should bo dealt with in the amending Bill about to be brought before Parliament.” The ease of Wi Pere is another such as was that of Albert Karaitiana, of Gisborne, who was actually forced into the Bankruptcy Court. Hamuera Mahupuku, in his plea to the House to loosen the meshes which bind him, and in which he is being dragged to bankruptcy, points out that he could, were he permitted to borrow or to sell a porlioo of bis lands, pay his debts (which are considerable), and yet have sullicieut left for the maintenance of himself and family. In addition to laud held in fee simple, he has an interest in other blocks.

1 Kill Killed. Another measure was killed in the Legislative Council yesterday, the victim on this occasion being the Coroners’ Inrpiests Bill, which was successfully piloted through the Lower House by Major Steward. A petition signed by the chairman and secretary of the Dunedin Hospital Trustees and by the medical staff was presented by Mr Shrirnski. The petition was directed against section 2of the Bill, which provided “ that the dcadhouse at the local hospital shall he a public morgue,” and prayed that the Bill do not become law, and that the local Board of Health be compelled to provide a morgue. The chief ground of objection taken to the section was the risk of infection to patients of hospitals if morgues were used for public purposes. Mr Feldwick, in moving the second reading of the Bill, produced a letter from Drs Ogston, Brown, and Cohjuhoun protesting against the statements contained in the petition of the hospital staff. In view of the Government’s promise to bring down a Bill next session providing for the payment of coroners’ jurors, several Councillors thought that the present measure was unnecessary, and the second reading was refused on a division by -I to 12. Aiding (Uc Miners’ Association.

The good oliices of the Government were sought yesterday afternoon by Mr' Earnshaw on behalf of the Otago Miners’ Association.—The Minister of Mines, in replying, stated that the Government had informed the Association what terms they would meet them on, or, if the Association would conform to the regulation’s, he would see if he could meet them. If the Executive of the Association would (dace themselves in communication with the Labor Bureau they would be ghen the same terms as the Bureau gave to men who arc seeking work. With regard to the application for free miners’rights, us that part of the questien related to local revenue the Government could not interfere.

The Licensing Law. The interest which was expected to attach to the consideration of the Licensing Bill promoted by the New Zealand Alliance, and of which Mr M‘Nab moved the second reading last night, was greatly minimised by the circulation at a late hour in the afternoon of the Government measure to amend the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act of 1893.

Mr M'Nab, in introducing the measure which he was entrusted to pilot, said that members must pass it or the Premier’s measure, because if they went back to their constituents at the close of the session and said that, though having been elected on a strong wave of temperance, and being pledged to bring about some reform of the licensing laws This statement was met with loud cries of “ No, no!” and “ Hear, hear ! * and the member for Mataura raised a laugh by saying that after past definitions of what was “ pledged ” and “ unpledged ” there might be grave doubt whether members were really pledged or unpledged to temperance reform. But he would say that

temperance reform played a very important part in the last General Election* The Alliance did not ask that this Bill should-/be' accepted in its entirety, but were quite willing that any reasonable amendments should be made. There was no provision for a reduction of licenses, but if the majority of the House so desired the Bill could be worked with reduction in it, Having exhaustively explained the provisions of the measure, he stated in answer to the Premier that after the second reading he would agree to the Bill being referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. He then moved the second reading.

The I’remier was looked to to follow Mr M‘Nab, and on rising Mr Seddon said ho would be wanting in his duty if he did not rise and express the opinions of the Government regarding this matter. There was a Bill now before the House introduced by the Government. A question of such importance as this was should be dealt with by the Government of the day.—(Applause.) It could not be said that the Government had given any grounds for supposing that they were not sincere in their desire to deal with the question. This session was, he considered, an opportune time for effecting licensing reform, and he believed that the House would this session pass a good workable Bill .which would be acceptable to the great bulk of the people of the country. He claimed credit for his Government being the first to place the liquor traffic under the direct control of the people, and said that their legislation was in advance of any laws extant in any part of the globe. There had, however, been one blot ih the Act of .1893—that which provided for half the electors going to the polls. By agreeing to accept the amendment providing for reduction, Mr M‘Nab was really accepting the Government Bill. That was one thing which he believed that members would insist on. He would fight the hon. member for Mataura to the bitter end on the question of renewals, wh ; ch, he contended, should be made good for three years and not left solely to the option of the Committee every year. It would nullify the vote of the people if a committee had the right every year to refuse what renewals they pleased. After mature reflection he had come to the conclusion that it would be unwise to hold the local option poll on a different day to the General Election, for if they did so they would not be likely to get a fait expression of public opinion. Something more than a bare majority was wanted to carry local option, and the minds of the people had settled upon a three-fifths majority as fair. He did not think*that there was the slightest chance of local or national Prohibition being permitted to be carried by a bare majority. Bare majority was all right for reduction, but it would not do for such a grave constitutional change as Prohibition. He thought that the House might be accused of wasting lime by debating this Bill to-night and then debating the Governmentmeasure on another night. Sir R. Stout said he would not have risen but for the suggestion thrown out by the Premier that the loss of last year’s Bill was due to the Temperance party. The second leading was not brought forward till it was almost time for the House to prorogue, and there was no serious attempt to pass it. Instead of a straight-out light between those for Prohibition and those against it, the Premier was endeavoring to secure a triangular duel every three years between three parlies, the effect of which was that the licensed victuallers, oven though iu a minority, urfist win. The Premier did not propose to allow the votes for I’ruhibilion to count for reduction as at present, and the result would be that, suppose 200 out of 1 ,ooopeople voted for coutinuaueoof lieeuscs, or “As you were,” and SW voted, lUO for reduction and 400 for Prohibition, the 20U would win. That was a most illiberal proposal for a democratic country. f!y giving the Committee power, to reduce the number, the member for Mataura would faiifly get the minds of the people on the reduction question. In a democracy they settled all their questions by a bare majority, and why should not this one be so settled. If they believed in a majority of the people they should “ trust the people ” with the majority vote. The Temperance party did not expect to win till they had the great force of public opinion behind them. He agreed with the Premier that the poll should be held on the day of the General Election. The question being so important they should strive to get as many people to vote on it as possible. Mr Lawry spoke at length, denying that the Government were insincere over last year’s Bill, and that the Premier had prompted him in his opposition to the measure. The Premier had simply, told him that he was making a fool of himself.— (Laughter.) This Bill o.' Mr M'Nab’s he described as “the illegitimate bantling of the Emperor of Cant and the Empress of Humbug and Hypocrisy,” while the Government measure was a miserable, wretched thing—worse if anything than the Alliance’s Bill, because it had the Government support at the back of it. He intimated his intention of taking every opportunity and using every form of the House to block that miserable thing introduced by the Government. If ho could he would relegate to oblivion the measure now under discussion. Mr Saunders said that he would vote for both Bills, with the view of amending them both in committee. With regard to the Government attempting to raise a triangular issue at the polls, he pointed out that if they had allowed three issues iu the recent Auckland eW.tion the result would prob >Mv ha ve been different. The Tc mptra.o ’ 1 arty made the mistake of wanting everything or nothing, and the result Was that they got nothing. This Bill should be more moderate, and nob interfere with thote who used liquet’ moderately. Mr Montgomery hold the same opinion as the last speaker. He also objected to the proposal that if hotels were closed no person should be allowed drink at all in them. If the Government were sincere in their temperance desires they should enforce the existing law, control being more important than the niore visionary question of Prohibition.

The Minister of Education, speaking his individual opinions, followed much on the same lines as the two previous speakers. He pointed out the difficulty of enforcing the licensing law. Everj trick that human ingenuity had been able to invent during the last 100 years by which the law may be evaded was very well known to the publican, So difficult was this question that a special Minister should be told off to superintend the administration of the licensing laws, and should have under him a special force of inspectors. He intended to vote againstthe present Bill, considering that the Government measure was superior to it in several respec' s It was not fair, he said, to confuse the two issues—Reduction and Prohibition. He did not see how Prohibition could be inforeed if it were carried simply by a bare majority. l)r Newman contended that tiro Government Bill did not allow both sides to go into the field on equal terms. He strougly urged that tied houses should be abolished. Mr G. J. Smith declared the Government Bill to be no fairer than the Act already on the Statute Book. It was a strange inconsistency that, whilst the Premier conceded a., bare majority vote to enforce Prohibition at Bellamy’s, lib insisted on a three-fifths majority for the country. He (Mr Smith) did not want an extreme measure, bub one. which would allow tlie people to fairly express their opinion and say what was for their good and what was not. The debate, which was kept going till past midnight, it was understood with the view of blocking Sir R. Stout’s Defamation Bill, was continued by Messrs E. M. Smith,. Collins, and Fraser. Mr M‘Nab waived his right of reply, and the second reading Was carried on the voices, the Bill being referred' to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Government Licensing Bill.

A careful reading of the Premier’s AIco? holic Liquors Sale Control Bill shows that in the prdek of the measure hurriedly prepared for yesterday’s issue some important alterations in the existing law were overlooked. In respect to National Prohibition, the measure provides that all the .results of the polls are to be sent to the-Mipjster, who shall go into the vote on the: question whether licenses shall be. granted in the colony. If he finds that three? fifths of all the voters are not in favor of any licenses being granted in the colony, he gazettes that fact, and this operates as. a national option poll in Ihyof of Colonial

'• ?’■ s v u '..3 £ r ; -.v ■> ; Prohibition. ' If carried it conies into' force twelve months from the date of tbe poll, after which date- it wilpnot be lawful to import, mapufacture,,or distil.any liquor in the colopy except under Government inspection, and for the specified purposes—viz , medicine, arte, or manufactures.. New Zealand wine licenses, liito bottle licenses, are to be abolished after the next local option poll, and no wholesale licenses can be granted in any district in which licenses are prohibited. This provision is inserted to meet such instances as occurred at Clutba, where, Prohibition having been affirmed* the stipendiary magistrate granted the issue of wholesale licenses. A traveller must have journeyed five miles'- in place of three, as at present, to entitle him to be supplied with liquor. The drink supplied to a traveller or lodger must be consumed on the premises, and neither person is to be allowed to “ treat ”an outside friend. ,

A gentleman who is thoroughly in touch with the Prohibition party says that in principle the Government amending measure and the Bill brought forward by the Alliance are almost identical, but he holds that the Premier’s measure is so constructed as to render its provisions valueless when any attempt is made to put them into practice.

' Jottings. The Agricultural Department contemplates offering a bonus for encouraging the production of European flax in. the colony. The law officers of the Crown are to be consulted as to ,whether the New Zealand creditors of Miles and Co. can be protected from the loss sustained on their wool on the ground that the firm were domiciled in Loudon.

The various • petitions against the Pharmacy Bill are being referred to the Government for, consideration, as are those urging the equalisation of the laws affecting women.

Mr Jeremiah M'Carthy, of Waihao, wants the House to go into his committal for manslaughter—a committal which Judge Deuniston said should never have been made. The petitioner brings charges against Detective Livingstone. The Petitions Committee recommend to the favorable consideration of the Govern* riient the mammoth Auckland petition for the abolition of the exemptions under the Shops and Shop Assistants Act. The petition of the Vincent County for relief from having to contribute to the cost of the Cromwell Bridge has been referred to the Government for consideration.

Opposition was raised in the Council to the final stage of the Hon. J. MacGregor’s Divorce Bill by Sir G. Whitmore, who moved that the Bill be read a third time that day six months, but on a division the third riding was agreed to by 19 votes to 15.