POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 63, 5 November 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

1 s (own COBREBPONDENT.) Wbixikotos, last night. The Financial Statement haa been very well received by the Press and by the fficffi: bars of the House; though the evasion of tiffi protection question, increase oi. properly tax; borrowing, ceitalp railway proposal* rviucj tion of grants to local bodies, and the rvftail of the Crown and Native Lands Rating Ae», are points that will not be palatable to most North Island members, The Lyttelton Times is of course the moat pronounced opponent, but it would not matter what policy the At: kinson Government, formulated; .the TimcS would be against it. It elates that as a rel turn of six months wasted for the turmoil of a general election; and for the disorganisation of the whole political credit, we have a very bad copy with worse deviations of the Stouti Vogel policy, and to reconcile us to it we are offered a scheme of retrenchment transpa. rently delusive. The Wellington Times considers the State* ment the ablest ever delivered; The Poti recognises it aS a brave attempt to face thli difficulties of the Situatidn, find the Preig declares that the Premier has grasped this situation, as ..it never ..his been grasped before. The Christchurch Press also heartily supports the Government.

The discussion of Mr Carroll's rsMlutions has been adjomned.until, next.W, eeltv.. i. The rumor that rienefal flch»w wiig t a M given the appointment held by Genera! Whit, more is denied. It is not yet known what course will be taken with regard to the " liitlg General,” but members are inalined to treat any reference to the matter as a joke. Hig resignation is expected to be a reality beforg long. General Sohaw has Been commiuiotieii to make a thorough report on the fortiflee, lions and defence works. This is at any rate considered a sntib to TYhitrfdci-el The labors of the Fair Bent Court will be 'exceedingly arduous. The amount of rent owing by Crown tenants is nearly £50,000. The return presented in connection w/tH the Hall-Houston prosecutions totals £2,21u. Among the petitions presented to tho Honea is one from Mr Hobbs, member for the Bay of Islands, in which some natives complain of a Registrar charging marriage fees, which they allege they are not required to pay by

Appointments have been made to Beleat Committees as follows Petitions Classification, Mr Reeves; Goldfields, Mr Seddon; Local Bills, Mr D. Stewart.

The Wairoa Harbor Bill has been intredueed by Mr Graham. Sir George Grey's LsW Practitioners’ Bill has passed through its flrat stage, it ta bel lieved that the measure is gradually getting more in favor, though it is hbt expected tfl have much chance this session. Mr Reeves wants the Government to allow 25 words in place of lij words in delayed telegrams. To day Mr Ballance moved for returns of the details of the proposed reductions. This motion oacasioned great surprise, and still greater interest was excited when Majof Atkinson rose and declared that if such I motion was carried the House would have id find another Government. The Opposition used all their influence to catch i afiik division, but finding themselves in a hopeless minority they advised Mr Ballance to with, draw his motion, which he did. The move was an unfortunate one for the Opposition as they have lost ground The second reading of the Oamaru Harbor Board Bill was got through to-day. The Wanganui Harbor Bill was read a second time,