PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 139, 14 December 1887, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

F/om our Special Correspondent. [by tebegb \pii.] Wellington, Dec 13. TIIE VOGF~ T AN !c DENT. A feeling of relief was experienced >n the House this afternoon when S :,> Julius Vogel intimated that as it was desired by members that the House should prorogue before Christmas, arid ho had no -wish to obstruct the business of the House by firessing any private matters of his own, io had decided to w ithdraw the resolutions of which he had given notice in reference to the now celebrated “ Naming” incident. Sir Julius Vogel, it wi" be remembered, recently intimated, that ; f his friends so advised him, he intended to bring up a question of privilege the 801 l article and the Observer cartoon as a means of ventilat'ug h : s own grievance against the chair. Tho friends of the Leader of the Opposition were, however, generally averse to bis going any further in the method which he has adopted, dropping tho subject is regarded as the most graceful act that could be adopted. The intimation of Sir Jr’ius Vogel was received with applause. BRlE’i’ MENIION. Mr Cowan is inquiring, if in view of the depreciation in the value of land, if tho Government will have a now valuation mado for tho property tax purposes. All the Wellington papers speak favorably of tho Public Works Statement. The Government wi’ l endeavor to ascertain from Sir F. I). Bell if lie has made arrangements custom’s duties with France. Tho Stock Importation Committee have not yet presented their repoic. Mr Reeves is desirous of knowing whether Mr Baddeley, R.M. at Auckland, is the same Mr Baddeley who is receiving a retiring pension. No information is yet to hand ns to the interview of the Agent-General with the French Government on tho postal question.

Government, nro considering u report of tho Standing Orders Committee as to the alteration of standing orders. Tho Minister of Marino secs no necessity for tho Colony to erect u lighthouse at the Auckland islands. remission has boon given to the Education Committee to have evidence taken by them printed. Tho Minister of Public Works is of opinion that railway freight on pressed straw should be the same as on chaff. Tho statement recently circulated that persons imprisoned for debt arc placed in tho same cells as criminals is found to be incorrect.

An effort is to be made during tho recess to make the Lincoln agricultural more popular. The cost of the Wellington Military Training College for the last 18 months was £ISBO Bs, and six persons availed thomselves of its use. The area of pastoral leases in the Westland district inside tho lim l 'ts of selection of the Midland Hallway Company is 185,100 acres, the rental from which is £2OO 10s. The Public Petitions Committees absolutely decline to make any recommendation in regard to the Stratford route for the North Island Trunk line. EDUCATION QUESTION. The unfortunate education regulations just issued were again brought before the House to-day by Mr Turnbull in the shape of a question as to why they had been established while tho House was still sitting, and whether the opinion of tho law officers of tho Crown had been obtained upon the subject. Mr Fisher replied that bo lmd intimated to the House a month ngo that the opinion of the law officers had been procured on the subject and the necessity for some decided action by the Government had been pertinently brought before that by the fac 1 that Educational Boards and persons interested in education had been continually writing for information as to the exact lines to be adopted. Tho Government bad no wish to force tboir viows upon the House, but they deemed it necessary to tako some position in the matter. Reylying to Dr Fitchett, the Premier sremised5 remised to bring the education votes own in such a way that tiio whole question can bo debated when tho estimates are boforo tho House. He could not think of laying the opinion of the Crown law officers on the table. FIIKE LIST. The Printing and Debates Committee have for some time been engaged in revising tho list of persons receiving free copies of Parliamentary papers, Ilausards, •kc, and they have come to the conclusion that the following should be struck off : Private clubs, ugricu'timiil societies, religious associations, mechanics institutes and libraries, except in the principal towns, working men’s clues, inferior Government. officials, members of the Lcgislatnre, except ex-Ministers and Speakers, .Registrars of Supreme Courts, town clerks, and all private persons who appear to have no special claim. They also recommend that a large number of Gazettes, statistics, and journals should al-o be discontinued. It is estimated the number of copies less than at present sent which need n< t be scut is 973, mid tho saving from this is set down at £8(58 10s 21. The Chairman, Major Steward, is urging on the Government to give effect the views of the Commissioner.