POLITICAL.

Northern Advocate, 3 December 1887, Page 3

POLITICAL.

Wellington, Thursday.

Practically the whole of Tuesdays' sitting was devoted to the Newland Bill the second reading of which G. F. Richardson explained as the desire to give facility for settlement on such tenure as selectors choose. Passed by 34 to 4.

Last night was given to the second reading of the " Parliamentary Honorarium and Privileges Act amendment Bill," which reduces members' honorarium, although, members did . not take kindly to it. The second reading passed by 56 to 14. Yogel raised a discussion -.on Newton East canning case, and declared his intention of assisting Mrs Sheard to prosecute for assault.

The Lords carried a motion that a Bill for affording relief to Crown tenants and tenants of public bodies, should be passed immediately. Strong opposition is shown to the abolition of Land Boards, and in the event of their retention being decided on, it will only be necessary for them to act as boards to meet every two or three months when summoned by Commissioner.

The Minister for Education proposes to introduce a Bill next session to effect several reforms in the Education system, and one of these will be in the direction of amalgamating Education Boards, with the object of reducing expenditure. The Premier intends to bring down a Bill to enable persons who have legitimate claims to native lands to complete their titles.

It is not intended to continue subsidies to public libraries this year, in view general retrenchment. Government thinks this is a direction in which people should put tbeir hands into their own pockets. The Lords set up their backs against the Midlands Railway business, and threaten to kill the contract.

SydneyTaiwhangasaysmembers' mouths talk retrenchment, but their hearts want £300. Representation acts amendment Bill, which wasintroduced bythePreinier proposes that at the close of the present parliament "'the number of members of the House of representatives shall consist of 70, of whom 67 shall be Europeans;

Southern Maori to be included 3 tern Maori district, one Maori lJ being this losi. j Public Works statement is furtti ferred for a week.

McKenzie has given notice of a 'Bill to prevent the spread of the Califomian thistle.

Hobbs presented a petition from Motukera village settlers with reference to Regulations under which they were located.

Gisborne presented a petition in favour of assistance being given W. L. Rees, to proceed to England for the purpose of introducing land settlement scheme. Referred to Government for consideration.

Waste Lands Committee recommend that the claims of old soldiers and volunteers be referred to GovernmeTfit'for consideration, with recommendation that it be dealt with on equitable grounds. Government, in connection with the revision of the tariff, is to make some arrangement with governments of tha Australian colonies, by which duties on our farmers' produce may be reduced,-, or pledge made that they shall not be increased.

Wellington Friday. Moss elicited from Minister for: Public Works to-day, that the route of North Auckland Railway would not be altered and that Government had no intention of taking to Port Albert. There is no possibility of taking it there at present, as there is not enough money. JR. Thompson is still on job, he»has discovered that the present ministay got over the anomaly of allowirig^iEogel to retain the services of a member of the permanent force as private coachman temporaily. by giving the warrior," leave of absence ' from first of November.

Postmaster-General, in reply to Moss stated he would close . country telegraph offices between 7 and 8 p.m. where 1-ttlo business is done, if requisitioned by residents.

R. Thompson intends to ask the Minister for Public Work whether he intends to make provision for road works North of Auckland, in districts where there' is no railway.

Wanganui, Thursday. Election petition in the case of Bryc versus George Hutchison has been commenced. ,

KVesInber