PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2253, 22 June 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

fßy Telegraph,] [from the own coerespohbent or tub “press.”]

1 t, WELLINGTON, June 21 ' 1 lh ° laßt commuri ication received ly „ ®r ernme, , lt - from Sir Juliua Vogel was* v ‘ ° eDl , ng i y ! nBOk ‘ ct a character that Minted 5 , nofc ee .l justified in recognising ;it et nil l , deemed it right to return it to him unx.'A . am that tho offensive stylo JA " 7 .® was almost incredible, coming ao iff u * rom any one possessing his knowledge of L 3O wprld and experience in men and mannerjr. It is reported that the returns of additional taxable property under the Property Assessment Act teyii’ted to be made on the 15th inst. have shown a gratifying increase in private property Shwoiighout the colony even since the last yocvV assessment. The sub- ! otantial improvopenC in this year’s proceeds of the tax, if reimposed, may bo confidently expected. It is rumored that tho Government are only waiting tho final •Jesuit of the prosecution in tho Greatrer case before tabling proceedings in several other similar cases known to exist throughout the colony. I? the Government win the case prosecutions will be instituted forthwith in all similar cases. I believe that ths department is in possession of full particulars, and is l in thorough readiness to begin firing. Tho only additional new Bill printed is the Regulation of Elections, and this is not yet circulated. It proceeds howevoralmost exactly on the lines of last year’s Bill, where that was left. The chief previsions aio the extension of the poping hours to S p.n., and bolding all elections on the same day in case of general eleations. Some attempt will probably

be made to abolish the proviso that 'all elections are to bo held on the same day, and the result of this is uncertain. There has been some little fuss about a dispute between the Manawatu Natives and the ferryman, the latter having built a house on the ferry reserve contrary to Che warning of the Government agent, and being summarily evicted by the Maoris. It appears that the survey is not complete, and the matter unsettled, so that the ferryman brought the whole trouble on himself by his precipitous aak.

I hoar on good authority that Sir Q. Grey’s Local Government Bill has been dratted, and will be circulated in a day or two. Mr Tole has been requested to take charge of the Surveyors’ Institute Bill, and has consented. The Bill will be strenuously opposed as creating an undesirable monopoly, and' from what I can learn its chances of passing are very remote. There is more talk of recommitting the Chinese Bill, with the object of increasing the poll tax from £lO to £SO, but I doubt this being agreed to, as it is felt that even in its present shape the Bill stands but an indifferent chance in the Legislative Council. On the House reassembling to-day, Mr Dick presented a petition from the Bible in Schools Association, praying for the introduction of Bible reading in schools. Mr Bowen gave notice to ack the Government to-morrow when they will bring down the Bspresentation Bill. This is understood to be a feeler to test the wishes of the House as to the course of business. Mr Pitt gave notice of is new clause in the Licensing Bill providing for the extension of local option and granting compensation. Mr Ballance gave notice to ask the Premier on what precedent or constitutional practice he relied while disclaiming the responsibility for the Governor's action in regard to a despatch to the Secretary of State relative to Mr Bryce's resignation. The Papers laid on the table to-day comprised (I) one on the Diamond Drill and its work, issued by the Bendigo School of Mines, and tabled by Mr Murray with the leave of the House, (2 ) Return showing real property dealt with under The High Schools Reserves Act, 1880, the amount received, and the manner in which it was dealt with. It was moved for by Mr Whitaker. The return is to the effect that no real property has yet been dealt with under the Act, but intimation has been given to various Boards that the Governor will be advised to sanction the sales of certain endowments and reserves on the Government being satisfied with the upset price and conditions of sale, and assured that the provisions of the Act will be regarded. The Local Bills Committee have passed a resolution recommending that the Committees on Local Bills of both Houses should sit together for the purpose of promoting business, and establishing uniformity of practice.

We take the following itsms from the Wellington correspondence of yesterday's " Timaru Herald ” :

“ There is nothing stirring in politics, but to-morrow will probably produce some enlightenment as to whether the Government mean to take up the local government question or not. The papers here have entirely misunderstood the portion of that question, and their remarks upon the attitude assumed by Mr Wakefield, Mr Ormond and others, as well as most of the telegrams on the same subject, are so preposterously mistaken that it is wonderful how anybody could make such blunders. All the stories about a MiddleParty, ft cave of Adullam and so forth, are sheer moonshine. All that has happened is that the Government supporters are urging them to include a bold scheme of local government among She measures, the moderate section of the Opposition being quite willing to support it; and that Government have nob yet decided whether they can accede to the wish of their friends or not is, to a great extent, a question of money, but there is no doubt Ministers are not fully resolved upon the principles. “The statements that have got abroad about Mr Wakefield's ' bidding for office, ’ seeking to “ form a party with Mr Ormond,’ being ‘ enraged by Sir George Grey taking the wind out of his sails,’ with many others of similar character, are mere inventions of correspondents who do not understand what is going on, and will not go to authentic sources for information.

“ Mr Wakefield answered Sir George Grey in the debate on the address at the request of the Premier, who know before ho asked that he was going to speak his mind freely on various topics. Ho has since been in the most friendly intercourse with the Government daily, particularly in discussing the possibility of bringing in a practical scheme of local government. Much the same thing may bo said of Mr Ormond. Both are merely endeavoring, as private members of the Government party, to got something done to lake local affaire out of the House of Representatives, and there is a perfectly good understanding between them and Ministers. All the stories about the vacant portfolio having been offered to this man, declined by that, or under refusal to the other, are rubbish, mere silly gossip of which those most concerned know loatt.

“ To day the papers here both announce a now rumour that Mr Oliver is going to re-join the Ministry. This is also a pure invention. The truth is nobody is troubling his head about the portfolio, except the specials and pirographisls. The Ministers have postponed all consideration of the subject, and it is hardly mentioned among the members, except, by way of joke. What is going on here, and the account that one roads of it in the papers from elsewhere, bear no resemblance one to the other. The telegraphic summaries of the debate, too, convey a very imperfect idea of the course of affairs. ‘ Hansard ’ is the only trustworthy guide. The papers hero do not pretend to report the proceedings fully, but of the two the essence of Parliament in tho “ Post ” is by far the best.”