POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 64, 8 November 1887, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

(owx COBBEBPONDENT.) Weuisotos, hat night. There wa» a alight breeze in the House last Week over Sir John Hall’s question respecting the Waitotara election, Mr Seddon considering it U unwarrantable imputation on the judges. He alluded to Hall's relations with the Government, and referred to him as the wet nurse of Ministers. He also hinted that Hall was having a seat resrrved for him to jump Into in the Legislative Council. Bh John Hall repudiated the insinuations made by Sodden, and said that all he could mj as Io his being a " wet nurse" to the Government wae that ii this were so he was proud of his children, About tour hours were spent on Friday night on the Premier's resolution respecting (he Midland Bail* ay contract. Major Atkinson said the Government were clear that the railway would not be constructed without further legislation. In order to give the company a stable basis at Home they asked that the value of the land concession should be guaranteed, and he thought this might fairly be done. Mr D. Stewart thought the company would fare very Well, with the parties bidding against each other for support to be gained through the railway. The leading members of ths Opposition supported the proposal, and eventually the debate was adjourned until to-morrow, on the motion o? the Premier, the House rising at 11.80 p.m. • tieplying to Taiaroa, the Government declined to bring in a Bill during the session

enabling the property of a native dying intestate to be disposed of for the benefit of his creditors. In inviting applications for an expert to take charge of the railways, under the proposed Bailway Board, the Government will include America as well as England in the places in which applications will be called. an Imprest Supply Bill was passed through all its stages, the amount being £250,000. Sir Frederick Whitaker has given notice in the Council to move to-morrow; —That in the event of a reduction being made in the number of members of the House of Bepre. senta lives, the number of members of the Council be reduce 1 to half the number of members of the House of Bepreeentatives' and the same proportion should therefore be maintained; that the matter be referred to a select committee to consider and report as to the beet plan by which the reduction can be ejected, the committee to consist of Messrs Buckley, Menzies, McLean, Oliver, Pollen, Richmond, Waterhouse, and the mover. It is stated that the chief evidence in support of Mr Bryce’s petition to unseat Mr Hutehison will be memos, found in one of the Government Departments. These will have the effect of implicating two members cf the late Government. The evidence that can ba adduced is said by Mr BryS'e friends to be very strong. The business of the session is to be pushed on with all possible expedition, and it i e understood that members will be asked to allow Wednesdays to be devoted to Government businesr. It is even believed the House will be eskad to sit on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday. Members ere getting anxious to get home again, and as there appears no rhenrn of combined action against the Government, steady work may now be expected. Nothing can be said for certainty, however, until the Public Works Statement is brought down. PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP. Mr Seddon is designated by Major Atkinson as deputy leader of the Opposition. The report that was circulated to the effect that the delivery of the Financial Statement was postponed till Tuesday in order that Sir John Hall might revise it, is utterly un-

““A. Bill brought in by Mr Mitchelson to I tnake better provision for the construction, rselntenanna- and management of Government railways was road a first time on Friday afternoon. Sydney Taiwhanga has been prevailed on to address the House in his native language, K that members of bis own race that happen to be In the gallery may be edified by his BiitT&nOMo It is said that the Government will use every endeavour to reduce the stamp duty on the regis' ration of small joint stock comteoWfe The statement made by Mr Seddon that the Hon. E. J. C. Stevens wae merely keeping his seat in the Cabinet warm for Sir John Hall, hse received a denial from the Premier. Mr Peacock is asking the Government to reinstate the vets for a £ for £ subsidy for deep level r respecting. It is likely the oodlin moth question will be brought tp during the present week. The Port is of opinion that the raising of the school age to six is a mistake, it thinks it ought to have been seven. It U not at all unlikely that the House will do away with the holiday on Monday during rest of the session. Mr Fish is moving in regard to this matter. Whether country Volunteer corps are going to have their capitation allowance stopped and thus disbanded will be soon known as Mr Beeves is going to put the question to the Government. * On Friday afternoon Mr Hobbs asked the Government whether they will, when introducing the Bill for settling old soldiers’ and volunteer land claims, introduce a clause enabling the Commissioners to entertain any claim they consider equitable, though not perhaps strictly legal or within their instructions? The Premier said the Government bed the matter under their consideration, and they would endeavour to embrace some such provision. . , In the absence of the Premier, Mr Fisher acts as leader of the House. Some members talk of importing a qualified man from England to take over the managership of the railways.