POLITICAL NOTES. (Wellington Post.)

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8265, 21 August 1895, Page 4

POLITICAL NOTES. (Wellington Post.)

There is mach comment on the refusal of the Premier to fulfil his promise made to tiro separate deputations to let the Municipal and County Councils Conferences see the Local Government Bill. This refusal is contrasted with the submission of the Labor Bills to the Trades Union Conference. Mr Millar considers that no liquor should be imported unless there is a certificate that it has been three years in bond. In Canada no spirits can be exported till it has been five years in bond. Experts had informed him that ab present raw chemioally-prepared spirits was imported whioh was filling our gaols and lunatic asylums. These experts claimed that if it were three years in bond even the chemicallyprepared liquor would be mellowed, and would do much less harm. One Wellington member told him that at Hamburg he saw a vat of 8000 gallons of raw spirit, from which the chemist of the distillery made brandy, whisky, and gin while he watched, and this was offered him f.o.b. at Hamburg at 7s 6d a case. He knew of whisky being sold in Wellington at 2s 3d a gallon in bond. Could that have been good, pure spirit 1 A return laid on the table yesterday gives the following particulars of interest apropos of the proposal to rate the unimproved value : Auckland and surrounding boroughs, unimproved value, excluding lands exempted under the Rating Act, L 2,869,584, ordinary and special rates co'lect'd year 1894 5, L 39,079; Wellington and adjacent boroughs, L 3,427,023, L 66.861 (Onslow, Wellington, Karori, and Melrose are the boroughs accounted for) ; Christchurch and adjacent boroughs, L 2.569.059, L 18,28 3; Dunedin and boroughs, L 2,920,046, L 41.722 A feature of yesterday's " crisis," as Mr Ward described it, was the sudden calling together of caucuses of the Government and the Oppoaibion. The Opposition caucus simply decided to sit still, and that Captain Russell should not be bullied into moving his motion before the time for which he had given notice, viz., on the second reading of the Tariff Bill, and that they would let the Premier " gang his am gait" meantime, and accept all the reductions they could secure. And it so happened. A substantial reduction on flannelette was conceded, and ihe motion still awaitg the second reading. At the Government caucus, 44 members were present, and six were accounted for. Amongst the absentees were Messrs Saunders and J. W. Kelly. The only resolution wag one of confidence in the Govern ment. The Premier informed his followers that they would be allowed a free hand on the tariff on the unders anding that where any reductions were eftected corresponding increases must be placed on something else in order to prevent loss of revenue. It is claimed that this is absolutely the first occasion on which a Government has interrupted a Financial Debate to effect an amendment of its tariff proposals. Mr Buchanan — " The Treasurer cannot feel very well after the criticism of his Statement." Mr Ward — " Never felt better in my life." 11 Constituents have a mistaken idea that members are doing nothing unless they figure in Hansard, and so we have to play up to them," said Mr Carncross last night, and he added, " That is my position," " A very degrading position," interjected Mr Bell. The latest rumor in connection with the Judgeship is that either the Minister for Labor or Mr Guinness will replace Sir Patrick Buckley in the Upper House and the AttorneyGeneralship should he accept the Judgeship — Mr Reeves for choice. Government is shortly to introduce regulations as to the deck loading of vessels. " We want rest in regard to Labor legislation." — Mr Carncrosa. The Colonial Treasurer says this is "the strongest colony south of the Line." Mr Buchanan ia sorry for the others. " It is easy to enter into political experiments, but not so easy to retreat from them." — Mr Carncross on Mr G. W. Russell. For the 12 months ending 30th June, Mr Buchanan says, the wool export has fallen L 324,764. In a jotting yesterday Mr W. Hutchison was described as referring to the "paregorics" passed by members. What he said, of course, was " panegyric." The House should have no consideration for the Masters and Apprentices Bill, Mr Carncross thinks. I Mr Mills says his " inclination " is for freetrade. But his votes are for protection. Mr Buchanan last night contrasted pointedly the contemptuous imitation of Ministers to Lord Ripon in the case of Irish cured mackerel that they " had no desire to see foreign cured fish introduced,' with their proposal to introduce Canadian salmon free. Mr O'Regan said this was " another injustice to Ireland," and he resented that land being styled a " foreign " country. Here is Sir John Hall's letter with his gift of the great portrait of Her Majesty : " I have the honor to request that you will submit to Parliament my respectful application that it will be pleased to accept from me a portrait of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, as a slight token of regard for the Legislature of which, for nearly 40 years, it was an honor and a pleasure for me to be a member.