PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 139, 15 November 1887, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

From our Special Correspondent. tit telegraph. Wellington, Nov. 14, A meeting of Protectionists is just concluded. Thero were 21 present, but many others wore unable to attend, their presence being required at other Committees sitting at the same hour. Letters were read from Mr Goldie, Thompson and La wry expressing satisfaction at Major Atkinson’s reply to the deputation on Saturday, and intimating they could not be parties to any action whicn might lmperil'tho safety of tho Govennm ut. AfUr general discussion it was decided to adjourn the meeting till an early hour tomorrow morning. The tune to be fixed at 8 ich an hour as not to clash with other Committees sitting. A Committee was appointed to perform executive duties, and the meeting adjourned. CROWN AND NATIVE LANDS’ RATING ACT. Mr Marchant haH called a meeting for Wednesday, composed of members uffected by tiie proposed repeal of the Crown uud Native Lands’ Bating Act.. Iho question is a serious one for Taranaki, nearly £3OOO having been received in that provincial district for the year ending 31st May, 1886, whereas in Nelson it is £7700, Westland £7OOO, Wellington £5500 and Southland £3OOO. To all these districts a heavy blow would be struck, the oratorical method of allowing local bodies to rate native lands direct, which Government propose introducing will allow local bodies to recoup a little of the loss, but practically it will not amount to much. SIR JULIUS VOGEL. During tho session various rumors have been current as to what will he dono by the ex-Colonial Treasurer now that he is out of offico. A new vein has been struck in this direction, however, it being now asserted that Sir Julius and the late Minister for Public Works 'Mr E. Richardson) are v'eing with each other for the managership of the Midland Railway Company. Rumor even goes so far as to say that the latter gentleman is not very pleased with the attempt of Sir Julius to outdo him. I have given these assertions as lobby gossip, and cannot speak as to their authenticity. MIDLAND RAILWAY. During this afternoon several rumors havo been in circulation as to tho action of the Midland Railway Committee, which sat to-day. Tho Committee sat all tho forenoon, but a block seems to have occurred over clause 2, in reference to tho quantity of land to be guaranteed to the Company. The clause, as at present constituted, it appears, leaves it an open question whether in the event of the land conceded to tho Company being insufficient to make up the amount of their guarantee tho Government could bo made to idemnify the Company in cash. Sir F. Whittaker held that this could ho done, and eventually tho clause was referred to him to revise. The revised clause was brought down before a subsequent meeting held at 4 e’eloolc, which did not terminate till 6, and tho clause was thereat fixed up to the effect that the Company may receivo land to the valuo of £1,250,000 within a proscribed area, but on no consideration can monetary indemnity be claimed. A further meeting is to be held by the Committee to-morrow morning. policemen’s HOLIDAYS.

Mr Taylor has been interesting himself in the question of holidays granted to policemen, who, ho finds, aro generally on duty on days when there are cheap fares on tho railway lines. In reply to a letter addressed by him to tho Government, he has been informed that nil effort will be made to give the policemen the benefit of cheap fares on the railways on days when they have their holidays, provided they have not been able to take advantage of concession on ordinary holidays.