POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9077, 11 June 1888, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

[by telegraph.— CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Saturday. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. The new Midland Railway Committee, which was appointed on the Premier's motion last night, met to-day, Mr. Samuel in the chair. It was decided on the chairman's casting vote to recommend that the proviso allowing the deviation of the contract by the adoption of the Abt system in respect of Arthur's Pass should be attached to the contract. DUTY ON MACHINERY. The Government have resolved to allow all machinery en route to the colony, prior to the coming into operation of the present tariff, to be admitted free of duty, and that in the case of what has already been paid a rebate thereof shall be made. THE MEMBER FOR NEWTON. The speech of Mr. Withy on the tariff last night may be said to be his first speech in the House of any importance. He has been complimented on it both by friend and foe. The Press says :—" Mr. Withy's speech was undoubtedly, in point of clear logical reasoning, and depth of treatment, the best yet delivered during the debate. The opinions he so well expressed last night are worthy of serious attention, and should carry weight." The Post terms it an exceedingly sensible, practical, and moderate speech from a Freetrade point of view. Mr. Withy states he intends visiting Europe next year to see the French Exhibition. RETRENCHMENT. The Post is still sticking to tho abolition of the 'Frisco mail service as one of the necessary and fair items of retrenchment. A question has arisen as to whether tho reductions in the Civil Service salaries are to date from the beginning of the financial year. The Cabinet have the matter under consideration, but have not yet decided whether to so count thorn, or to make the reduction rank only from tho passing of the Estimates. IMPERIAL PENSIONER SETTLEMENTS. The correspondence on this subject laid on the table commences with a letter from the Agent-General to the Minister of Lands, dated Sth July -last. He says : " Since Lord Sandhurst returned from the colony he had had a good deal of conversation with him respecting a proposal for forming a new pensioners' settlement. Although he gathered from His Lordship that it was probable such a subject might be favourably entertained by the Government it would be very desirable that he should bo instructed as to how he was to give it any encouragement, and as to the conditions on which the settlements could be founded." Then follows a letter from Captain Daveney, of the Imperial Pensions Office, Auckland, to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce on tho same subject. A letter from Sir Edward Walker, K.C.8., the head of the corps of Commissionnairos, to Captain Daveney, sketching his schome, succeeds. A further letter from the Agent-General, of the 7th January last, states that he encloses the scheme prepared by Lord Sandhurst and a committee of the association, propounding the state-aided colonisation of a pensioner settlement. The Agent-General goes on to say:—"l have had frequent conversations with Lord Sandhurst about his proposals, and shall be glad to hear by cable whether they are favourably considered by the Government." At this point the correspondence ends. Lord Sandhurst, in his letter to the War Office refers to the

passage in the Financial Statement, which evinced the desire of the Government to take part in such a scheme.

RAILWAY FREIGHTS ON MANURE. Mr. Lambe, of the Auckland Freezing Works, accompanied by Messrs. J. B. Whyte and F. La wry, waited on the Minister for Public Works this morning, re the desirability of reducing the freights on manures conveyed on the railways. Mr. Lambe clearly and forcibly pointed out the advantage which will result not only to the agriculturists of the country, but also the Railway Department, if the request were acceded to —the former by the granting to them of greater and cheaper facilities for cultivating their lands, and to the department by providing greater material to carry on the railways, and thus increase the revenue, as the full rates would be chargeable on the increased production. Messrs. Whyte and La wry endorsed this view of the question. The Hon. Mr. Mitchelson entered fully into the question with feelings of a sympathetic nature, but said jit was with the department entirely a question of revenue. After a good deal of discussion the Minister promised to give the whole question his earnest consideration, and to communicate to Mr. Lambo the result through one of the members who accompanied him. THE STOCK COMMITTEE. I understand that the Stock Committee took into consideration the evils arising from the sale of cattle affected with cancer. After a good deal of evidence and discussion I hear it was resolved that His Excellency the Governor be recommended to make the sale of cattle affected with cancer, tuberculosis, tumour, and ulcerous sores illegal under the provisions of clauso 1 of the Diseased Cattle Act, ISB4. If the recommendation of the Committee is acceded to it will have the effect of making it illegal to soil the meat from animals affected with the disease indicated. It will also be illegal to offer them for sale.

THE CASE OF " MOKAU " JONES. A deputation, consisting of Major Hamlin and Messrs. Feldwick, McGregor, Lawry, T. Thompson, Beetham, Seddon, Joyce, Guinness, Turnbull, Anderson, Cadman, Dodson, Grimmond, Loughrey, Moat, Steward, R. H. Reese, and Duncan, waited on the Premier this morning in order, if possible, to effect some settlement of thecase of "Mokau" Jones. Major Hamlin, as the convener of the deputation, introduced the nature of the business, and in a

lucid and concise manner traced the history of Mr. Jones' case up to the present date. Mr, Turnbull, as chairman of the Public Petitions Committee of last Parliament,

related what had been done in his committee, and pointed to subsequent legislation, which had practically provided for the equitable settlement of the case. Mr. Beetham strongly urged upon the Premier and the Native Minister, who was present, the necessity for effecting a settlement of a claim which is now of an historical nature, and Major Steward and Messrs. Cadman, Thompson, Guinness, Lawry, and others followed in a similar strain. In reply to Mr. Thompson, the Premier positively refused to place Mr. Jones'case in a position similar to that in which ho was placed under the provisions of the Special Powers and Contracts Act of 1885, but which was unintentionally rendered nugatory by subsequent legislation- The Premier said that Mr. Jones had always relied rather upon the influence he could exert upon the members than on the proper and regular course provided by law, and that many gentlemen in the House were now entirely opposed to his case. Messrs. Lawry, Seddon, and others said it Was a significant fact that some members of the House, who had last session asked for assistance to induce the Government to settle Jones' case on the lines of broad justice, were now canvassing for support in an opposite direction. The Premier, however, positively refused to commit the Government to any promise in the direction of special legislation, but said the Cabinet had considered the matter and were desirous to see a settlement effected, and in order to do so a commissioner would be

forthwith appointed to deal with the individual case. In reply to further questions the Premier refused to be bound to give effect to the recommendation of the com-

missioner, but of course it would be submitted to the House. In the course of the proceedings it was stated that when the Stout-vogel* Government were in office, the present Premier waited upon the Government, urging the necessity of a prompt settlement of Jones' claim, and that during the present week Sir Robert Stout has made a similar request to the present Government. The general reply of the Premier was not considered satisfactory, except so far as it applied to the appointment of a commissioner to deal with the one case. Of course, pending his report, no further action can be taken. • THE LOAN. The Agent-General notifies to tho Government that the floating of the loan is regarded in financial circles in London as highly successful.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION. Thepolitical situation remains unchanged. It is said that Mr. Seddon intends to move his amendment, " That the financial proposals of the Government are not entirely satisfactory," on the motion for the committal of the Tariff Bill. It is expected to bo negatived at once. If the principle oft the Bin is affirmed the House -will desire to get through with the details. Mr. Graham, who has left for the East Coast, has paired for the Government on the second reading, but against the Government on purely protective items. It is said the Opposition will prolong the debate till the arrival of Captain Russell, expected in a few days from England. MISCELLANEOUS. Sydney Taiwhanga is endeavouring to get from the Government a copy of the advice under which the Government acted in accepting the surrender of leases granted under the Thermal District Springs Acts. The Public Petitions Committeo have reported unfavourably against ex-Inspector James' claim for compensation. Sunday. A circular has been issued to Civil servants informing them that the reductious have been made retrospective—that is to say : from the beginning of the financial year. Sir George Grey informs me that a number of members of the House endorse his interpretation of the Standing Order No 95, and his contention that a debate could not be interrupted under it, as was the debate on Friday night for the appointment of the Midland Railway Committeo. A lively discussion is expected on his motion. MOKAU LAND CLAIMS. Mr. Arthur Owen, of Nelson, arrived today, in connection with his petition respecting his claim to lands at Mokau, adjoining those claimed by "Mokau" Jones. His case is likely to become as famous and historical as that of " Mokau" Jones. It will be remembered that last session he presented a petition containing some extraordinary allegations and charges against some well-known Auckland citizens. Mr. Owen engaged Sir R. Stout when it came on, but I it was postponed till this session.