WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5530, 5 November 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

(PEOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT).

Wellington, Tuesday. The Government caucus to-day Was thinly^ attended, and there was great diveraity of opinien on the Maori franchise and other matters that Were discussed. No definite financial proposals Were made; and it is understood that, the delivery of the financial statement depends on expected advices from London respecting the loan. It Seems to be generally believed that the Government will propose an increase of 2s in the duty on spirits. This afternoon Mr* Hall moved the second reading of the Maori Representation Bill in a very half-hearted wayj which confirms the rumor that at the 1 caucus 1 it Was agreed to abandon the bill and leave the Maori representation as it is, introducing a ratepayers' qualification into the Qualification of Electors' Bill, and giving the natives the power to avail themselves of it.

The Opposition are determined to force on the re-distribution of seats this session. Sir George Grey raised the question Oil going, into Committee of Supply, and moved three separate amendments, all of which were ruled out of order. Mr De Liautour, however, managed to frame an amendment which the Speaker accepted, and the Government, with rather a bad grace, accepted it, but they- evidently do not desire to face the question this session if it can be avoided. Turnbull and Grey hinted at even stopping supplies if the subject was not dealt with. When the Ministers accepted Mr De Lautour's amendment and the question was put, Mr Hislop, in order to pin the Government to it, called for a division, and the amendment was carried by 65 to 5. The minority were Hislop, Shephard, Brandon, Ormond, and Kelly.