POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 485, 26 July 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

ANOTHER “ ALL-RIGHT-WHEN-UNDERSTOOD ” AFFAIR. SPECIAL COBEEBPONMST.] Wellington, last night. By arrangement the Gisborne Harbor Bill has been allowed to pass a second reading, but that is an evil omen, because it prevents the exact amount of opposition being gauged before the Bill gets into Committee, where it is likely to be soon mangled. To me it seems a piece of bad generalship, but I do not pretend to be able to judge your member’s tactics. The rating question will soon be sprung upon him in Committee, if the plain talk of members means anything. Mr Taiwhanga has been informed by ths Native Minister that Government cannot undertake to place a Bum upon the supplementary estimates to recoup tbe Tokomaru natives for their loss in attending the court. The Native Minister made a statement in the House in reply to a question asked by Mr Taiwhanga, with reference to land transactions with natives at Poverty Bay. He said he could not inform the House what year the native owners of Pakowhai Block, Marastaha, and other blocks of land at Poverty Bay were induced to dispose of their interests in these blocks of land to Mr Rees and Wi Pers, but he understood from the natives themselves That they were induced to part with the land without any monetary consideraton on the promise of shares in the proposed company. He also understood that a portion of land had to be sold to Mr Woodbine Johnson for £3.000. That Wi Pere and Mr Rasa, as trustees for the natives, were to receive six per cent, interest upon that amount. The natives themselves have received neither principal nor interest. The Native Minister also stated that he had received a telegram from Mr Roes, stating that he was auxious for tbe appointment of a Committee to inquire and report as to how tbe money in quesion was expended. The Native (Minister added that the Natives had foolishly parted with the whole of tbeir interest in these lands, and he did not know in what way Government could assist the natives in the matter.

A select committee has been appointed by the House of Representatives to consider all matters pertaining .to the development of dairy produce, and tbe flax industry. The Hutchison Committee by a majority ot one decided that the Bank ef New Zealand books be produced unconditionally. Mr Bryce, who had been in bed ill, arrived just too late to vote on the question, otherwise tbe matter would probably have been decided by the Chairman’s casting vote. The Government propose to provide for giving the usual subsidies to local bodies for the present financial year, unless the House orders otherwise. The Native Minister moved to set up the Native Affairs Committee, and objection was again taken to Mr Arthur’s name being on the committee. Sydney Taiwhanga raised the objection this time by moving that Mr Arthur’s name be struck out and that of Mr Kelly substituted. Mr Marchant vigorously defended Mr Arthur from the attacks of the native members, and pointed out that as the natives themselves had seats on the committee Mr Arthur and other European members possessing a knowledge of Maori character were equally entitled to be on it. Mr Taipua and Mr Carroll raised no objection whatever to Mr Arthur, and Mr Kelly having withdrawn his name the committee was iotmed as bioaght down by Ilia Government.

Mr Mltchelson gave notice of the following ba’ch of native Bills : -The Native Equitab.e Owners Amendment Bill, the Native Lana Court Acts Amendment Bill, the Native Trusts Bill, the Native Land Survey Bill. .Mr Verrall wants the Government to bring in a Bill this session making bank notes a first charge upon bank assets. Mr Wilson is urging ths Government to have circulated a precis of the replies sent in in response to the circular to the Boards of Education re syllabus. The Civil Service Bill introduced by Mr Mitche'.son repeals all existing Acts bearing on this subject, with many of the existing rights, and superannuation claims as existed on the 31st March, 1887. The Acts repealed are the Civil Service Act of 1866, Amendment Act of 1871 and 1878, Civil Service Reform Acts of 1880 and 1887, section 11, Appropriation Act, 1887. Tho provisions of the Act do not apply to tho Ministers of tho Crown, Judges, Parliamentary officers, Controller and Assistant Controller, AgentGeneral's Department, Government Insurance Department, Native teachers. Stock Inspectors, inspectors of defence forces, railway officers, laborers, mechanics, Ac. The Civil Service is to form one body, and instead of four divisions, namely, ” First,” “professional.” “clerical,” and “ non-cleri-cal,” officers of the first division are to ba paid at such rates as are provided for in the Annual Appropriation Act; professional or non-clerical to be class'fied by the ratepayers, clerical to have an annual increment at a rate to be fixed by schedule (but not yet determined), the right to increment to depend on good conduct. Sir Harry Atkinson considers the Hut-chinsou-Bank enquiry to be one of little moment.