POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9134, 16 August 1888, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP.

[by .telegraph.—special correspondent.] Wellington, Wednesday. IMPORTATION OF STOCK.

At a meeting of the Stock Committee held to-day a communication was received from the Stock Department of New South Wales, advising that the recommendations for quarantine regulations should be amended so as to reduce the time for keeping cattle in quarantine from 120 to 90 days, the same as for sheep. It was resolved that the committee should recommend the adoption of the New South Wales proposals in New Zealand. A letter was received from Mr. R. Thompson containing suggested amendments in the Branding Act for 1888 from settlers in Marsden, the principal suggestion being more efficient registration of brands and ear marks, and making it compulsory to brand all sheep immediately after shearing. The committee considered the question at some length, and the conclusion was that no means could be devised for the absolute prevention of sheep stealing ; and finally it was resolved that Mr. Thompson's letter be received, but the committee could not recommend any alteration or amendment in the present Act which would adequately meet tho difficulties in Mr. Thompson's communicatioa.

BANQUET TO MR. LARNACH. The representatives of the goldtields constituencies intend giving a banquet to the Hon. W. J. Larnach on Saturday evening at Bellamy's, the object being to present to him the illuminated addresses from the miners of the Thames and West Coast, which havo been forwarded to Wellington for presentation in recognition of the valuable services he rendered the mining interests while Minister of Mines. It is expected that, there will be a goodly number of members present on the occasion in order to express their high personal esteem for him as a member and in social life.

THE COSTLEY TRAINING INSTITU-

TION.

Mr. Goldie is of opinion that the Costley Training Institute may be made much more useful than it is at present, as it is not maintaining the number of children the income of the Institution would warrant. He is of opinion that the Costley Training Institution Act should be amended so as to enable younger children to bo admitted. The terms of the Act tie up the hands of the trustees considerably.

SOCIAL REFORM. During the present session of Parliament several members of the House of Representatives have shown a very warm and spontaneous interest in the various Sundayschools of Wellington, and other church work. The Sunday-school Union has fittingly undertaken to recognise this by convening a united meeting , of Sunday-school teachers of the city, to which these M. H. R. 's are invited. Messrs. ooldie and Joyce deliver addresses. NOT PAST PRAYING FOR,

Mr. O'Callaghan (the member for Lincoln), who was formerly a clergyman, is fond of a good joke, especially with a theological flavour about it. In the course of the discussion, he alleged that Mr. Hobbs had, at a religious meeting in Wellington, said that the members of the House were past praying for, and he would not sit in the House if it were not the will of the Lord he should do so. Mr- Hobbs, who had had a bad time of its at the hands of the members, who were bantering him, rose and turned at bay against his tormentors. Amid roars, he explained that on the occasion referred to he had said nothing of the sort. What he said was, " that the members were not past praying for,' , and it was admitted that the hon. member for the Bay of Islands had scored one that time. A TRIBUTE TO THE MAORIS.

Sir G. Grey made a big speech this evening, on the third reading of the Native Land Bill. In the course of his remarks, he delivered an eulogium on the Maori race. He asserted that they had been one of the greatest nations on the face of the earth. No more noble race had ever existed than the aboriginal chiefs of New Zealand. They had traversed great oceans and founded vast colonies. The voyages of our greatest navigators were not to be compared to the voyages of the Maoris. European navigators had noble ships in their command, and they had the aid of science to assist them in their undertakings. The Maoris, on the other hand, crossed wild oceans and stormy seas in .slight and frail vessels. They had braved the perils of the deep and the fury of the elements in their exploration?. Sir George then dwelt on the land system established by the Maoris, arguing at the same time that by the treaty of Waitangi a solemn engagement had been entered into with them whereby their lands were placed under their own control. Sir George gave a very exhaustive history of the native land question, and denounced, in forcible language, the landshark.- who had obtained large tracts of Maori lands by defrauding the native proprietors.

MORE STONE WALLING.

An alliance has been entered into between the West Coast members and the Maori representatives for the purpose of stonewalling , the Crown and Native Lands Rating Acts Repeal Bill. Mr. Seddon is good for several hours when the Bill comes up, and Mr. R. J. Reeves assures me that he is in excellent training for a genuine stonewalling campaign. The obstructive tactic*, which are now the order of the day, will have the effect of lengthening , the session for a week or ten days at least.

CASE OF SIR JAS. FERGUSSON.

The Premier has given notice to move that the evidence taken by the Native Affairs Committee last session in the case of Sir J. Fergusson be referred to the Committee on Native Affairs to consider and report thereon. The particulars of this case, which refers to the purchase of a native block near Maungatautari, Cambridge, by Sir J. Fergusson, but to which he has never been able to get a Crown grant, are well known in Auckland.

THE STATE SCHOOLS COURSE.

A much-needed reform in our educational system is suggested by the following question, which Mr. W. P. Reeves will put to the Minister of Education, namely, whether he will consider the utility of recommending the substitution in place of one or more of the subjects now taught in the State schools course, a reasonable amount of instruction on the natural resources and features, climate, products, industries, manufactures, and history of New Zealand.