POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 11278, 27 June 1900, Page 5

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Odr Parliamentary Reporter,] WELLINGTON, June 27. Optwsiiioo Tactics. No appointment of Leader has been tnado by the Opposition bub Captain Ruesell and Mr Jamea Allen have been requested to

occupy the front benches. This is purely a tentative arrangement, and if the member for Mawke's Bay continues to assert himself as he did last night the probabilities are that ere the session closes he will be reinstalled formally in his old post. Last session's whips (Messrs Massey and Lewis) were ap. pointed by the oaucua to watch the interests of the party. One decision arrived at at the Opposition caucus was to abstain from obstruction In any shape, and practically restrict criticism of Government measures to two or three members. As to the Address -in , Reply debate, the speaking will ba almost confined to the Government side. The Opposition hope by these tactics to materially shorten the session and aid early sittings. They recognise the hopelessness of seriously op. posing any measures which the Government may bring down, and are determined to discountenance factious opposition. Tho Arbitration Court.

Replying to a joint deputation from the master painters and the Painters' Union this morning, the Premier said that the delays in the sittings of the Arbitration Court had tended to break down the working of the Act. The Government would submit proposals for appointing an additional Judge, whose principal work would bo to deal with the Arbitration Court bnsinees. He did not agree with appointing two Judges of- the Arbitration Court— pub for the North and one for the South Island—as it might lead to conflicting decieions. He believed that if once the work was overtaken ono Judge could do all the business of the Court. Ha was in favor of awards being made applicable to provinces, and had given instructions to have an amendment drafted making awards apply to employers starting business after the award had been made. H% agreed with the suggestion that awards should remain in force until an application for extension or alteration had been d«alt with. S'Ssiursnansmp of Committees. Tno Premier ha« given notioe to move time, Mr Guiunesa 1 * appointed Chairman of Committees. A Free Elreulifnat Table. A strong section of (lie House will raise (lie question this session of a reduction of the Customs duties on the necessaries of life. The flourishing condition of the country, and the repeated assurances from Ministers concerning the soundness of the colony's finances, arc regarded as pointing to the time liaviny arrived when a reduction in taxation should be made. Mr Fisher this afternoon gave notice of motion supporting the removal or reduction of duties on tea. sugar, coffee, rice, currants, raisins, dried fruits, kerosene, and other similar articles in general consumption. The revenue thus lost to the State could (as far as is necessary) ba made up by an additional duty being placed upon imported pianos, music. silver ware, furniture, carriages, laces, feathers, furs, silks, wit ins, velvets, jewelleiy. billiard tables, fireworks, pictures. ere, Some twenty-eight members are said to J«*~desirous of discussing the fiscal question at an early opportunity, and will probably use Mr Fisher's motion as a medium for doing so. >'Jtafe Five Insurance. In the House this afternoon Mr Barclay gave notice to ask whether the Government inipnd to introduce a State Fire Insurance Bill. The jpresw AHMociatioc. Mr <i. W. Russell wishes to know whether the Government will this session introduce a Bill to amend the Electric Lines Act, with a view of reforming the Press Association. THE TB3«Oi;OH TRAINS. Passengers This E»a,T'FHOM DUNKDIX VOH THE SOUTH. Miis M'C'iutehy, Mrs Duncan, Mr and Mrs It. A. llorne, Messrs R. S. Kent, W. Wright, S. U. Johnson, 8. R. Nleilnuui, F. H. Brodriuk. J. M'Qregor, J. Gibbs, W. G. Handcock, J. Brunt. Miss Braithwaite. Miss A. Dick, Mr and Mrs A. Dobie, Mrs Fanning. Mrs Walker. i'Oli DICiKDIX i'KOM THE HOtfTIT. Mr T. Black. Mr and Mm Dickson. Mr C. Bradslm-w, Mr J. A. X. Reidle, Mr D. Kmgsland, Mrs Smith, Mr T. Tress'eda, Mr W. J.eeder, Miss Haynes,' Mrs M'Leod and son, Miss Tavlor, Mr C. Reid. Mr W Wvlie. Mr A. Storrie, Mr N. M'Donald, Mr J. M'Donald, Mr J. Shearer, Miss Raird, Mr G. H. Green.

■\ FROM IHrNEDIJf FOB THB NORTH. , "Mr-A. A. Thorton, Mrs J. Pratt,, Mr T. hj. Cpwlishaw, MrW.< F. Sparrow, Mrs Miliar, Miss Sparrow, Miss Maloney, Mr .VI. A. Montgomery.