POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 61, 1 November 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(own cohbespondent.)

Wellington, last night.

Members are again getting into their places for the business of the session, but no guess can yet be ventured as to the length of the session. The retrenchment proposal* are expected to be productive of iiiuoh delay, a* when the thoe actually begin* to pinch the different members will cavil at it. The repeal oi the Crown and Native Lande Bating Act may place the Government in an awkward position. The Southern members strongly urge tbe repeal, which would mean a saving of £70,000 to the consolidated revenue, from the North Island alone. It is eaid that the present system might be replaced by a small tax payable by the natives themselves, but if this is attempted the Maori member* 6r* sure to bring all the influence they can to prevent this. It will be serious for many districts it the repeal is carried out without some other provisions being made. At present it appears that the sooner the matter is faced, the better it will be for those interested.

The Bitting on Friday night was very short, but notice was given of an iffitneneS number of questions and motions, and many petitions were presented. Sir Julius Vogel has considerably changed his tune, and his action on Friday night was in striking contrast to previous conduct. He said that it the Financial Statement were brought down on Tuesday night the Government Will have shown much celerity. The Premier said the Statement would be brought down to-morrow night without fail. The Dunedin Corporation have submitted a Bill to enable them to receive money from private persons at a rate not exceeding 7 per cent, interest. The money received on deposit is hoi to exceed £30,000; and the Bum of the deposits and overdraft are not to exceed the lawful overdraft. There is thought to be little chance of the Bill passing, as the principle is much objected to. If it were allowed, there is no telling to what extent other bodies might be induced to follow the example, Farukll; who retired from the Auckland North contest at the last mordent, has petitioned the House for a return of his £lO deposit. Some members say he is even less entitled to a refund than those who went to the poll and did not have sufficient votes recorded in their favor. Any candidate might get a “ dummy ” to run with him, and then at the last moment; just quietly eet him aside to save the £lO foifeit.

During the year 35 hotel licenses were refused, on the ground that the houses were not required. There were 1476 publicans’ licenses issued, the total number refused being 56. There are 115 brewers in the colony; and the beer duty amounted to £53,000.