PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXX, Issue 8557, 10 August 1888, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

■ [By Telegraph.] [fro-' OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, August 9. TARANAKI’S NECESSITIES. The young New Zealanders and others who have been, preparing an onslaught upon the Harbours Act Amendment Bill, run a great risk, I hear, of being baulked of their prey. It is stated to-day in the lobbies that owing to the strong signs of Opposition already manifested, the Bill will be withdrawn. I do not feel at all sure about this, however. Taranaki’s necessities are pressing, and the Treasurer is hound to provide for them somehow, THE PRIVILEGE QUESTION. I hear that the Government means to burke the discussion of the Privilege Committee’s report, if possible. The report, as you have been informed, convicts the Ministry of a grave breach of privilege, in laying on the table of the House a letter by a Civil Servant reflecting on the conduct of a member of Parliament in his capacity of member. The authorities examined into by the Committee leave no doubt on the subject. FRUIT GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION.

The members for Avon, Hcathcote, and St Albans waited on the Minister for Public Works this evening, and laid before him a letter from certain Christchurch fruit growers, urging that concessions should be made to fruit carried on the railways, and suggesting that it should be classed as farm produce, while returned empties should bo allowed to go free. Mr Mitchelson said he could promise a favourable consideration, and would lay the question before the Cabinet as soon as the present press of business permitted. A PROPOSAL AND AN OBJECTION. I understand that the Legislative Council is in favour of having all local and private Bills submitted to one Joint Committee of both Houses, instead of to separate Committees as at present. This is one of the Government procedure rules. The objection is that constitutionally the Council has no right to touch Xfills before they are passed through the Lower Chamber, except where they are introduced in the Upper first. [from our own correspondent.] THE UNEMPLOYED QUESTION. A deputation of Canterbury and Northern members waited on the Premier last night to urge upon him the necessity of taking some steps to deal with the unemployed difficulty, and to promote settlement. Major Steward, who arranged the interview, pointed out the advantages of some sort of labour settlements being established ; tenders to he invited from persons owning land in the vicinity of large towns willing to sell land, the same to be either re-sold or let to labourers in five or tenacre blocks. The Premier promised to give the matter his attention. CONDENSED MILK. A bonus for the encouragement of the manufacture of condensed milk is suggested by Mr James Mills, the member for Port Chalmers, who wants to see a vote for this purpose placed on the Supplementary Estimates. Mr Mills judiciously paved the way for this proposal some weeks ago, by distributing some most excellent samples of condensed milk manufactured by am Otago firm. THE RAILWAY BOARD. Wifh reference to the" possibility of the new Railway Board consisting of the present and cx-Minister for Public Works, with Mr Hannay, I have the authority of the gentleman who is working the matter up in the lobbies, for saying that the idea is taking very well, and bo is sanguine that there will be a majority of members in its favour. It is stated that the Premier has been approached on the subject, but members did not get much satisfaction out of him. It is be-li-evod that he baa pome pet scheme of his own as to the iiar&onncl of the Board, but if it was shown that the proposed Board was satisfactory to the House, it is thought that he would fall m with the suggestion. At any rate, I am assured ho is adverse to the appointment of an expert from Uome on the ground that circurhstances there are so utterly different, the lines being worked to and, from a centre and in opposition to other lines, which would not be the case in New Zealand. DURATION OF THE SESSION. It is generally considered that the rest of the business of the session will be rushed through., and that prorogation will take place on Monday or Tuesday week at the very latest. It is not anticipated that the session will run into more than another fortnight. MINING EXHIBITS AT THE CENTENNIAL. The Goldfields Committee this morning had under consideration tbo question of the supposed defective representation of mining exhibits of the Colony at the Melbourne Exhibition, and it was decided to makea thorongheuquiry as to w hat exhibits were sent- Messrs Toihurst, Gordon, and Brown, the Commissioners, wsll be called before the Committee to-morrow, and if it is found that the Colony is not sufficiently represented, Mr Gordon will probably be sent across to Melbourne to look after this branch of the exhibits. THE FAIR RENT BIDE. Considerable speculation is rife as to what action Government will take in regard to the Fair Rent Bill, which was thrown out by the Upper House yesterday by the largo majority of 22 to 5. It is generally understood'that if tiie principle had only been applied in regard to Crown grants the Bill would have gone through with fiying colours, but the Councillors objected to education and other reserves being dragged in. It is understood that the Go\ elnment will deal with the matter this session, and, if in no other way, will introduce it iulo the Appropriation Act. Mr Valentine has given notice to ask what steps the Government intend to take in the matter. THE FENCING ACT. At a meeting of members this morning interested in the question of amending the Fencing Act, Mr Mills presiding, it was agreed to support the insertion of a clause in the Bill before the House to make the following a legal fence under the Act: — One barb and six phi a wires, or two barb wires and four plain wires, with a distance between the posts of nine feet. It was also agreed that no barb wire fence shall be erected along any slTeet or road in town districts or Boroughs. NATIVE PETITIONS. In reference to the request of the Maoris to bo heard ab tho bar of the Houao yesterday, it was agreed that they should present a petition to the House, expressing their views, aud that subsequently some chief should support it. The petition was presented to-day. It consists chiefly of objections to the present Chief Judge of the Native Land Court. The conclusion reads:—“ Your petitioners,therefore, pray that your honourable House will cause the said Judge to be removed from his position, in consequence of his want of knowledge of the "Maori language and of Maori customs and usages; that the Government may appoint in his stead another European who is acquainted with the Maori language and Maori customs and usages ; that the control of the Native Lauds Court may bo vested solely in tho Judges and Assessors thereof, and that it be independent of the Government; but in the event of any application for rehearing being refused by the Chief Judge, that there may be a right of appeal to the Supremo Court and to Parliament.”