POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9078, 12 June 1888, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

[by TELEGRAPH.—-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. THE CODLIN MOTH BILL. A meeting of members of both Houses was held this morning to consider the Codlin Moth Bill, now before the Council. There were present the Hons. Captain Baillie, Captain Morris, W. Swanson, and J. W. Barni* coat, and Messrs. Hobbs, T. Thompson, R. Thompson, Jackson, Kelly, J. B. Whyte, Lawry, Moat, Monk, and Perceval. Captain Baillie presided. ■ Mr. Hobbs, as the convener of the meeting, made a lengthy statement, in which he reviewed the opposition to tho measure, and declared that notwithstanding all that had been written and said about the Bill and the moth, people were too indolent to fully consider the matter, or to assist in any practical work calculated to remove an evil which will, if not checked, kill the fruit industry of the colony. He emphatically declared his belief that the greatest part of the opposition came from those who had infected fruit which they would not bo allowed to sell if the Bill passed. Major Jackson and Messrs. J. B. Whyte and R. Thompson followed in the same strain. Several other members spoke. Mr. Lawry said the telegrams received from the North showed that there was strong opposition to the Bill ; and pending details, which were expected by the overland mail (delayed in transit), he did not think they should proceed further, as the fragmentary evidence received did not afford sufficient evidence of the general feelings of the fruit-growers in the North. He moved that the further consideration of the question should be postponed until Thursday. Mr. T. Thompson seconded the motion and strongly supported it. The resolution was put and passed unanimously. The overland mail has now arrived, and members are in receipt of full details about the feeling in Auckland. I hear the Legislative Council intend to knock out the taxing clauses in the Bill, but to make it punishable to remove or expose for sale diseased fruit. WORK FOR THE UNEMPLOYED. Mr. Mitchelson had arranged to let the Otahuhu Road Board have some road metal from the Mount Eden Gaol quarries, but the Board found tho loading and unloading and cartage made it too expensive. The Minister has now informed Mr. Lawry that he has authorised the breaking of stone by the unemployed at St. Ann's Bridge for the Otahuhu Road Board.

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY COMPANY. I hear that there is likely to be a lively debate over the report of the committee, if it is brought up to-morrow, as also over Sir G. Grey's motion attacking the alleged informality in the appointment of the committee, and that these two topics are likely to occupy the whole day, to the exclusion of the debate on the tariff. MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE. Mr. Feldwick, M.H.R., having again brought under the notice of the Government the fact that in consequence of surprise legislation during last Parliament, provision had been made by which the mortgagee might distrain the goods and chattels of tho mortgagor for back interest, etc. The result has been that in the Government Bill the Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill, now before tho Legislative Council, the following clause has been introduced : — " So much of section 6 of the Land Transfer Act, 1885, as gives to the mortgagee power to distrain and sell goods and chattels of the mortgagor is hereby repealed." It is asserted that in consequence of tho effect of the law now in force, a number of persons have been obliged to file their schedules who would otherwise not have adopted that courso of action. THE POLITICAL SITUATION. There is little to record in this respect. A caucus of freetradersabout a dozen in number place yesterday (Sunday), it is said, at the residence of a private member, and a resolve was come to to block the whole of the protective lines of the tariff. '■ s THE TARIFF. The Premier has been engaged all day overhauling and classifying all the amendments and suggestions which have been received by the Government in relation to the tariff from all parts of the colony, with a view of ascertaining the true drift of public opinion. Some of the Auckland photographers are protesting against the increased taxation of photographic requisites. The matter has been discussed by the protectionist members, but while it is said in Auckland that such material as dry plates cannot be manufactured in the colony, Southern members state that they are prepared to do so in some of their districts. The common view taken is that photography is a luxury, and, as such, is a fair subject for taxation. Mr. R. Thompson informs mo that, while voting for tho second reading of the Tariff Bill, he will move in committee several reductions in lines affecting the agricultural interests. It is said the Freetraders claim to have 34 votes against the second reading; among these are said to be the wholo of tho Maori members, save Hoani Taipua. Considerable surprise has been expressed here that the tariff should be so decidedly protective in its tendency, considering the largo Freetrado element in the Cabinet, and many members in tho House have not yet solved the puzzle. Whatever gratitude the Protectionists have got to spare they may °;ivo to the Premier, and his lieutenant Mr. Mitchelson, who deserve every credit for their diplomatic ability ; the tariff, as one politician remarked, being " simply fiddled through the Cabinet." POLITICAL CANARDS. A statement has been published in some quarters that there is a likelihood of Mr. Mitchelson shortly resigning his portfolio, and that of the working railways being taken over and attached to the departments presided over by the Hon. T. Fergus, Minister of Defence. I have the authority of the Minister of Public Works himself for stating that thero is no truth in either the one statement or the other, and that they are simply political canards. It certainly would be a great misfortune to Auckland at the present critical juncture, if such a contingency as the retirement of so true and tried a representative of her interests was probable. Tho assurance now given will be received, I doubt not, with satisfaction by all classes in Auckland. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr. Lawry has received telegrams from Auckland inquiring why he did not voto on Mr. Ormond s resolutions (his name not appearing on the published division list). It may be explained that Mr. Lawry paired for the Government against the resolutions.