Wellington Gossip.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 9144, 30 August 1892, Page 4

Wellington Gossip.

— • — [BY TBLEOKAPH.] (FKOM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, Monday. HAWKE'S BAY MATTERS. Mr G H. Swan and Mr W. C. Smith waited on the Ministers for Public Works and Lands a few days ago with respect to the claims of Mrs Dennan of Napier and Mr Rees Watkins. Mr M'Kenzie promised to recommend the Cabinet to agree that 12 or IS months' ply should be allowed to the widow of the late Mr Dennan of the Napier Land Office. As regards Mr xlees Watkins 1 petition, Mr Seddon had promised that it the Railway Commissioners recommended it he would put an amount on the estimates to meet the claim. Mr W. C. Smith informs me that he has interviewed the Commissioners and that they have promised to recommend to the Minister that the sum of £ 120 should be awarded to Mr Watkins. RAILWAY MANAGEMENT. The Government Railways Bill, which proposes virtually to take the whole control of the nil ways out of the hands of the Commissioners, and to make Mr Seddon the suprome autocrat in railway management, is certain to meet with the strongest opposition. It is very questionable indeed whethpr Ministers will be able to carry it through the House withont S complete re modelling, unless the majority of members take the sume view as was expressed by a moderate Government supporter a day or two ago. His opinion was that ttie surest way to cause the downfall of the BallanceSeddon Ministry would be for the House to pass withont amendment all the revolutionary measnres Ministers choose to bring in, so that directly the couutry had had a "tasto of their quality" they would be ejected from office by a considerable majority. It U no secret at all that several members of the Ministerial party are strongly opposed to mauy of the Government measures, and would probably vote against them but for the tear of political extinction, THE LAND BILL. I am informed that the report in the Ministerial journal this morning that factious opposition is to be offered to the Land Bill is wholly withont foundation. There is no doubt that the Opposition wilt comment with some reason on the inconsistency between Ministerial practice and professions, inasmuch as whilst the " Great Liberal Party " bnve for years talked so much about the nnearned incro ment, their present proposal for a lease in perpetuity will do away with the unearned increment! altogether. MINISTERS AND LORD RIPON. It U quite on the cards that in spite of the prevalent dulness tomorrow may be a very lively day in the Houso if an Imprest Supply Bill comes on. There has baen much talk in the lobbies to-day abont the twj London ciblu messages, ■whiua iv effect alleged that the Colonial Offica and Lord Ripon were likely ta support the New Zealand Ministry against Lord Glasgow in the Legislative Council appointments question. A strong suspicion prevails thut at the earliest possible moment after the division on Mr O'Conor's elective Council amendment on Wednesday morning the Government cabled the resnlt to the Agent-General in such a wa> as to make it appeir that Ministers had a majority of 23 on the question of their dispute with the Governor, and that only eight votes were given against them. This would be perfectly true co far as the simple unexplr.ined facts go, for the motion on which the division was taken was that the ■words " The Speaker do now leave the chair in order that the Hnuso may go iato Committee of Supply" stand part ot tho question. Upon this motion the debate on the constitutional_ question took place, and although the is^uu was complicated by Mr O'Uouor'a amendment, which compelled several members who disapproved of an elective Council to vote against it end for the originil Ministerial motion, the effect of the division was ostensibly favorable to Ministers, and it i« suspected that they have so represented it by cable, without explaining the qualifying circumstances. It is the intention of the Oppo aition therefore to bring up this mattei to-morrow when an Imprest Supply Bill comes ou. They intend to ask the Premier to slate explicitly whether oi not tha Government cabled to the Agent - General the result of hist Wednesday morning's division, nnd if sc what was the nature of the stutemeut • cabled— whether, in fact, Ministers cabled that in their conflict with his Excelleucy respecting the proposed Council appointments they had been enpported by n majority of 23 in the House on a division. If Ministers refuse or fail to give a cleat and explicit answer they will have n lively time of il iv committee, as the Opposition mean to exercUe their right of claiming the" information sought before they grant snppliea. Sir George Grey will be asked to put the question in the first instance, and preparations aro being made for a vigorous hombardmeut of the Ministerial pojltiou. If it be elicited that Ministers have represented the dlvisiou as ia suspected, or if the Opposition Bre not satisfied with such assurance as may be given, a number of members intend to join in sending a cible message Home making the true position quite clear. I am Informed tbat this course has been definitely decided upon. THE MIDLAND KAILWAY. The Public Accounts Committee are still actively engaged in taking evidence on _ the Midland Railway Company's petition. Mr Wilson has been examined at great length, Mr Gordon was examined to-dny, nnd Mr Allan Scott Is np here iv readiness to give evidence. PKOBAI3LE RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNOR. There is a rumor afloat that his Ex cellcncy Lord Glasgow will resign the Governorship if the Secretary of State for tho Colonies decides that he was in the wrong in the dispnte with his advisers. The report, however, it not generally credited, as it is considered tbat the attitude taken up by his Excellency leaves it perfectly open for him to recede from ie with dignity if the fresh interpretation of his instructions which he has now sought from the Colonial Office should prove to be different from that which he had arrived at by his own jadgment. WOMANHOOD SUFFRAGE. The Electoral Bill will probably be passed by the Lower House early this week, lc will go at once to the Legislative Council, who will then have the opportunity of considering the firat of the important measures of this session The Premier is of opinion that woman franchise, which is oue of the princ'ples of the Bill, will ha cirried this session in Ihe Conncil. List year it was defeated there by two vote?. THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE. A cablegram his been sent to tho Agent-General instructing him to make strong representation to the Imperial Government to induce them to continue the payment of the present; subsidy of 12) per Ib for the San Francis :o service. Iv the meantime Mr Sliara «i:l not call the meeting of Auckland memWrs to-morrow as intended. The opinion ii still held that the servico will not bs allowed to lapse. THE CIVIL SERVICE BILL. Notwithstanding the wishes of several of their supporters the Government insist that they must procued with the Civil bervice Bill, In regard to the argument that a pension scheme will be establisLed under the hill, the Premier say s that t!> i will not be so, becauso at the prest , time a deduction to the extent o< 5 r^ cent is made from tho salaries oi jivit servants and paid into the i'ubiic ' 'rust funds to be afterwards ttlur.-i a* unnuuies with interest at the rateo, i per cent. The euly difference which the bill proposes h that this mousy shall go into the Government Insurance funds. TUB PARLIAMENTARY LII3RARS *n hoT ° f , tf !! m f mbeH are very anxious to have a better building erected for the a7diM. W n Ch Mr S«Monisnr B iDg. will ?n f i he Coramis *l°nerß depreciate n' h . ' ° al £10 ' 000 ' aDd t!lat •«* sum wectL f m ° re UsefQll y devoted t0 th e 2° oof.af f . a library building, in Mnfed r°\v n!"° ney woald BtUl »> " exKbliW 1 "". 011 ' • Somo action will probably be iaken in this matter shortly, subjec" VI6W a fuU di3CUSsion of t"e