POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 10456, 28 October 1897, Page 1

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, October 28, Jottings.

Mr Allen has given notice of his intention to ask the Premier if a statement in the • Otago Daily Times' of the 25th inst., being portion of a letter from Mr Saunders, late member for. Selwyn, to Mr Hutchison, late member for Dunedin, to the following effect, be correct:—" Note: Probably on this question a famous scene has occurred to my friend, in which he and I, after much entreaty, overcame the Premier's objections to-submit the Bill containing the woman franchise to the Governor for vice-regal sanction."

Mr CarncroßS wants the Minister of Mines to place a sum on tho Estimates for the purpose of widening the Government track from Berwick to Waipori. Mr Sligo has giveD notice of his intention to ask whether the Commissioner of Telegraphs will cause to b<? posted dailv at the Dunedin Telegraph Office the readings in feet and inches of the different gauges on the Clutha River, showing the rise and fall of that river. Weary Tnlk. It is high time that the Financial Debate had run its course, for many of the speeches delivered yesterday were altogether outside of the matters contained in the Budget. Indeed, members seem to be making up for beiDg cut short by the time limit on the Address-in-Reply debate, and to begetting rid of subjects left untouched ou that occasion.—Mr Lewis, who resumed the debate, made what may be fairly characterised as a Canterbury speech. In dealing with the Land for Settlements Act he referred to the purchase of the Wharenui Estate of seventythree acres, near Christchureh, for which £6s' per acre had been paid to the Assets Realisation Board. Only seven of the twenty-five sections into which the estate had been divided had been taken up, and, in his opinion, never had money been spent to worse purpose than in the purohase of this estate. As to the Courts of Arbitration, he considered that the awards of the Court should have effeot throughout the.whole colony, aud not only in a particular district. —The mission of Mr Mills (the Benior Government whip) seemed to be to defend his chief, and in so doing ho was so freely prompted by the Premier himself as to cause hon. members to direct attention to the fact. —Mr Bollard filled in the rest of the afternoon without shedding any light on tho subject^—The principal speaker at the evening sitting was the Minister of Railways, who said that Ministers were at a disadvantage in the present debate, the Opposition having failed to give them anything to reply to. They complained of many minor matters, but never touched on any question of policy. Nor did they advance anything now. They had held out all sorts of threats concerning Mr Ward and about the Bushy Perk sale, but what had become of them?- Nothing at all. Reference had been made by Mr Scobie Mackenzie to a supplementary mining report by Mr Gordon. There was nothing in that report that should not be there. It was made by his (Mr Cadman's) instruction, and he took the, whole responsibility for it. The Budget presented this year was.not a sensational ouo. There was no doubt that there was disappointment on the Opposition side at the Government not bringing' down a large borrowing policy. Already the Government had applications for the construction of light railways which, if given effect to, would cost the colonv tjpo millions and a-half. This was, no doubt, in anticipation of the Government indulging in a borrowing policy, aud showed the desire for thß extension of the railways apd public works expenditure. The Government had some difficulty in regard to dealing with the Kauri Timber Syndioate, but a satisfactory arrangement had now been come to with that syndicate. The mining legislation proposed during the present session was largely a consolidation of the existing law. They had got behind a little last jeir with their water conservation scheme. . The criticism upon the railways had been rather complimentary to the Government. They could claim credit for a reoord percentage of earnings from the railways, and that in the face of numerous concessions to those who used the railways. He denied the allegations made to the effeot that the railway lines were "starved" by the Government, aud defended his administration financially. Hiß remarks, however, were for the most part inaudible to the occupants of the Press gallery. The policy-of the Government in respeot to railways had been to encourage producers wherever possible, aud in support of this statement he quoted the reductions made in freight charges since the railways came under the control of the Government.—Mr Crowther came next with the announcement that he would not object to the payment of the Premier's expenses for his Home trip, provided that the vouchers were produced. He favored borrowing for the completion of existing railways.—Mr O'Meara made a lengthy reference to liiiJ election expenses, aDd said that unless he could carry on his business outside he would resign, and in the case of the Premier the argument was stronger. —Mr M'Guire, on the other hand, considered that it was unbecoming of the Premier to hold a position on the Anglo-Continental Syndicate. , He criticised the administration of the Goyern- [ ment, and declared that the finances were in a rotten state. He doubted whether, if the Railway Commissioners had been in existence, the Government would have recomi mended the House to provide £200,000 for rolling Btock and maintenance.—Mr Symes spoke as an avowed Ministerialist, after which the adjournment of the debate was agreed to on the motion of Mr R. Thompson.

Detective Ilcntlerson'a Dismissal, A deputation, headed by Mr Lewis, waited upon the Premier last evening at half.past five, the object being to induce the Government to allow of- a magisterial inquiry into the matter of the dismissal of Detective Henderson. The deputation included Messrs Larnach, Smith, Taylor, Hogg, Carncross, Millar, Joyce, andsParata. Mr Lewis said that the object of the deputation *?as not to secure the reinstatement oi Mr Hendereon, but merely to ask that he be allowed to have an inquiry before a magistrate, where the witnesses, would be placed on oath.—Mr Seddon informed the deputation that Her», derson's case had been fully inquired into, and the papers in connection with the matter had been laid before Commissioner Tunbridge,

who had; advised the Government in the matter.—Messrs Smith, Taylor, and Carncroßs said that they were in favor of the Commissioner having a free Hand, and did riot wish to go:behind. any decisions of his. They, however, thought that under the circumstances (the best thing for Detective to approach the House by: petition, arid he could call any evidence he liked, on the question.—The Premier .approved of this course", and the deputation withdrew. ' ; Traffic la Xativc Lands. Th_e deputation of Natives who recently waited on the Premier .showed that they had abandoned their old claim to be allowed freedom to deal with their lands, aa they pleased. Their opinion now is that the" whole of. their lands should be rendered inalienable, Mill that neither the Government nor private individuals should be allowed to purchase them. To gat over the difficulty of it being contended tbatthe laud should not be allowed toibeadlein.thiirtv&y, permission is b;ing'asked for power to lease.. ■'.'.' ■<■-.'■ : 'Jottings.-'' , ■'■ l " The greatest good to the greatest number has always been the Premier's motto," said Mr Lewis yesterday, and then he unkindly added: "And, in his opinion, the greatest number is always one." " We all know that the towns ''are maintained, by the country," argued Mr C. H. Mills yesterday. ~ •" I would not'care if the Government had fifty sins of administration; if they only carry out their land for settlements policy I will support them. Wilson. The Minister of Railways is in favor of ft Civil Service Board.to have control of the C.vil servants of the 1 ; colony. " Liberalism or Partyjsny"—Mr Crowtber says are sjmnymou'a in the present House. ' The Minister of Mines shocked the House yesterday by asking permission to strike the Mining Companies Bill ofß the Order Paper. It was only to send it to the Council, however, which has no business to occupy itself with, but members hot knowing tniV objected to its removal. Probably the objection will be waived to-day*. The return asked for by Mr Pirani showing how members voted on the question of the sale of liquor at Bellamy's was opposed by the nienibsr for Caveraham, and so could not be moved yesterday. Mr Morrison's was the only voice that-was raised in objection to the motion being put. It is surmised that he was put up to. do so by the Premier, who has-prevjously opposed the. production of the return. " What is a Tory ? " asked Mr Crowther last evening, and he answered the question himself.' " One who is content to leave well alone." ' . V Mr M'Quire last evening urged that the stipendiary magistrates should be placed in such a position as to be independent of the Government. ".Independent of their bankers, too," interjected the Minister of Lands, and members are asking what he meant. Answering the charge of the Government indulging in political bribery and corruption by means of appointments to the Valuation Department, Mr Cadtnan la?t evening stated that there were more valuers appointed from among the supporters of the Opposition than from among the supporters of the Government. ■ - The formal business brought before the House yesterday afternoon conßißted of the renewal of the notices for the appointment of the Pubh'e Accounts, Labor Bills, and Houae Committees.