PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2252, 21 June 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[By Tblbgbaph.] [FBOM THE own OOBBESrONDKNT OF THE “ PBB6S. ”j WELLINGTON, June 20. Sir G. Grey is desirous of introducing his Local Government Bill this week, and will probably give Eotioe to ask ‘for leave tomorrow. Many of his party, however, are strongly opposed to his doing anything of the kind, on ground that it is not his place to interfere. They hold it to be the duty of the Government to deal with the whole question, or to admit their unwillingness or inability to bring forward a satisfactory measure. The latest rumour with regard to the vacant portfolio is that Mr Oliver will hereinstated. There is no truth in the rumour that has been circulated that ho is willing to resume his former position in tha Government. I hear that Major Atkinson still expects to bring down the financial statement about the first week in July, but the date is not yet settled. I telegraphed on Saturday night a rumor that the new Bill which Ministers have in preparation for aiding with land grants the construction of railways by private companies, will authorise laud to be granted to the extent of one-fourth the cost of constructing snob lines, the land to bo appraised at its present market value, and suitable conditions attached as to settlement. Such is the probable form the proposals will take, but no definite decision has yet been arrived at on the matter, which is still under the careful consideration of the Government. In reference to the action of the Governor in appending to his despatch to the Secretary of State, announcing Mr Bryce’s resignation, a copy of the special correspondent’s telegraphic comments on the subject, I am informed on good authority that hie Excellency similarly forwarded to the Secretary of State the newspaper report of the speech in which Mr Bryce made his own explanation of the affair. Various rumors have been in circulation since the division on Friday night by which the licensing committees under the new Licensing Bill were made annually elective, that in consequence of this alteration the Bill would be dropped by the Government. The alteration certainly is thought likely to put too much power into the hands of the publican interest, but there is no foundation for this report. The Government will press on the BUI as before, only the change will render essential certain other alterations in the machinery of the Bill, which may require some care and consideration in framing. This may somewhat retard Its progress, but will not prevent its being pushed on as fast as possible. A correspondence of a somewhat unfriendly nature has taken place between the Government and Sir J. Togel in reference to certain reductions made in his late department and other matters. Sir J. Vogel is said to have written in an exceedingly acrimonious strain ; indeed, I hear that his letter was couched in positively insolent language. Burners continue to be spread industriously as to bis probable return to the colony, but they are generally discredited. As I notice that the alterations made in committee on the Chinese Bill do not seem to have been telegraphed, I may explain that the chief are that the clause postponing the coming of the Act into operation untU 5000 Chinese are in the colony was struck out, as is also that providing for tha return of the poll tax to the Chinese on their departure from the colony within three years from landing. As the Bill now stands, it comes into operation at once, and the poll tax goes into the consolidated fund. It is expected to meet strong opposition in the Legislative Council. The day for the weekly meeting of the Executive Council has been altered from Tuesday to Monday, as more convenient to Ministers during the Parliamentary session. A meeting was held at Government House to-day, at which the Premier, AttorneyGeneral, Colonial Secretary, and PostmasterGeneral were present, the Governor presiding. The business was unimportant.