PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8474, 27 January 1891, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

.BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.! Wellington, Monday. CHAIRMAN OP COMMITTEES.

A meeting of the Government party was held to-day at noon, to consider the question of nominating a Chairman of Committees. About 32 members were present, and Mr. Ballance occupied the chair. The two names suggested for the position wore Messrs. W. C. Smith and G. Fishes, both of whom placed themselves in the hands of the party. It was proposod at first to make the selection by ballot. Mr. Bees, however, strongly objected to this course as being highly improper, and the vote was taken openly. Mr. Smith was proposed by Mr. Taylor, and was elected as the nominee of the Government party by a considerable majority. Latest. Mr. W. C. Smith is looked on as safe for the Chairmanship of Committees, but it is expected that ho will only beat Major Hamlin by two or three votes. party government. A meeting of members in favour of abolishing the present system of party Government and the adoption of a modified form of the Swiss system, was hold this afternoon. There were about 20 present and accounted for, and Mr. Saunders was voted to the chair. It was ascertained that there were at least 24 members of the new House opposed to the present system of Government. The meeting appointed a committee, and elected Messrs. O'Conor and Buick as secretaries and whips. It is intended, if the session lasts, to move for a committee of the House to collect evidence and information, and throw as much light on the subject as possible. PAN-ANGLICAN LABOUR conference. Mr. Rees informs me that he intends to take immediate steps in the direction of { promoting a pan-Anglican Conference on labour and capital. With this object he intends to give notice to-morrow of amotion to the effect that the New Zealand House of Representatives address all the other Legislative Assemblies in the colonies, and also the British House of Commons, and the United States Congress, asking them to appoint delegates to a conference, to consider the whole relations between capital and labour. Mr. Rees, who is very enthusiastic on the subject, points out that the Berlin Conference dealt with the labour qestion alone, and consequently was somewhat onesided. CONGRATULATIONS. The new Ministers have received a large number of congratulatory telegrams from friends and supporters in the colony, from the North Capo to Stewart's Island. Mr. Seddon has been specially favoured in this respect, having received quite a heap of these pleasing tokens of esteem.

THE AKARO'A SEAT. As your readers are probably aware, a petition has been lodged by Mr. Macgregor —one of the defeated candidates for the Akaroa scat at the late general election — on the ground that twelve out of the thirteen polling booths were closed at six p.m. instead of seven. The petition will shortly be heard before the Chief Justice and Mr. Justico Williams. I understand the best legal authorities have been consulted in the matter, and they are strongly of opinion that, under the circumstances, the election cannot be held to be a valid one. It is stated here, indeed, that Mr. Joyce has been advised by his friends to resign his seat before the petition is heard. Mr. Macgregor, the petitioner, was the genial whip for the Atkinson party during the last three sessions. Great interest is taken in the matter as the Opposition are very sanguine that, should the election be invalidated, they will be able to secure the seat, thus making a difference of two votes in the relative strength of parties. The Opposition also hope to get the Northern Maori seat, which would make practically three votes to their benefit, and would bring about a much nearer approach to party equilibrium than at present exists. THE SESSION'. Having these possibilities in view, a large section of the party will try to keep the session going until there has been time for an opportunity of trying conclusions, should this then seem desirable. With this object in view, it is not at all unlikely that means may be found to " keep things going" rather longer than is at present reckoned on by many people. There is always a chance of " something turning up" in such cases. At the same time, the weight of opinion seems to be that the present Ministry will hold their own for a while. THE NATIVE LANDS QUESTION. This afternoon a meeting of Auckland members interested in the native lands question was held, to consider what action should be taken in reference to a petition received by Mr. Kelly from Oisborne, in reference to the native land titles which were upset last year by the decision under the '27th section of the Act. Mr. Kelly occupied the chair, and there were also present : Messrs. Recs, Jackson I'almer, Cadman, Shera. Lawry, T. Thompson, and Captain Russell. The petition asked fora Commission to inquire into the facts connected with native land legislation. It also asked that certain sections of the Land Act should be altered, and that power should be given to the Commission to' decide cases finally where the vendors and purchasers were agreeable ; it likewise complained that the fees charged under the rules drawn up by the Commissioners, and as amended by the Government, were too high, and requested ' that the time within which the memorialists were protected should be extended till the end of the next session. It was agreed to form a deputation to the Government asking them to introduce a Bill to postpone the time under the Acts for making application to the Commission. It was also decided to ask the Government to appoint a Commission to consider the whole question of the disposal of native lands. Major Ropata, .Messrs. Bryeo, Mitchelson, and Russell are in favour of the movement, which is being kept quite clear of party. It is anticipated that it will receive cordial support in both Houses. Mr. Bryee has promised to form one of the deputation to the Government. ■RUMOURS. A rumour has been freely circulated that the new Government will almost immediately make several fresh appointments to the Legislative Council, and that these will include Sir Maurice O'Rorke, Hons. E. Richardson and W. J. M. Larnach, and Mr. W. Montgomery. Ministers deny, however, that they have any present intention of appointing new Councillors, and it seems to be understood that the matter will be held over for a lime, at all events. THE SPEECH FROM Till': THRONE. Ministers submitted to His Excellency the Governor at seven o'clock this evening their draft of the speech which they propose that he should deliver from the throne on the assembling of Parliament to-morrow afternoon. I understand that the speech, while promising a liberal policy, will be very general in its character, and, so fatas possible, non-committal, .so as to avoid giving any occasion of protracted debate on the Addreßß-in-Reply, or affording any opening for opposition attack. It will, I am told, be also • extremely brief. The Address-in-Reply will be moved in the Lower House by Mr. J. Palmer, the member for Waitemata, who will give notice of motion for Wednesday on the House resuming to-morrow, after attending in the Council to hear the speech from the throne. Mr. Pinkerton, member for Dunedin, will second the address. The Premier, as mentioned yesterday, intends also to make a Ministerial statement indicating the views of the Government as to the course to be pursued in regard to public business.

THE NEW SPEAKER. Major Steward wits introduced to the Governor this morning at eleven o'clock by his proposer and seconder, Messrs. Seddon and O'Conor, and the usual formal speeches were made on both sides. THE PARTI' WHIPS. Messrs. Perceval and Fish have been appointed whips to tho Ministerial party. Messrs. Harkness and Wright will be the whips to tho Opposition party. PRIVATE SECRETARIES. The Private Secretaries of the late Government have been taken over by tho new Ministry. Mr. Amelias Smith has been appointed secretary to the Premier, Mr. Govett to Mr. Buckley, Mr. Gore to Mr. McKenzie, Mr. JElamer to Mr. Seddon, and Mr. Waldegrave to Mr. Reeves. All have proved themselves very discreet, capable, and courteous officers. OPBOSITION CAUCUS. A caucus of the Opposition party was held this evening, Sir J. Hall being in the i chair, and about 25 members present. The

question of electing a leader for the new Opposition party was the first subject that came up for consideration. It was thought, however, that it would be undesirable to elect a recognised leader, and, after considerable discussion, it was decided to elect a committee to act) in the interests of the party. The gentlemen chosen bo act on tins committee were Messrs. Bryce and Rolleeton. Mr. Bryce objected for a considerable time, on the grounds that he had decided not to identify himself with any .party or organisation which would commit him either to the leadership of a party or to any move that might subsequently be resolved upon. Eventually his objection was deprecated on the grounds that nothing done at that meeting in the matter of the proposed appointments would commit him to anything toward which he entertained objections. After considerable debate Mr. Bryce withdrew his opposition, and consented to act. The committee were empowered bo select three other gentlemen to act with them. Dr. Newman moved that these gentlemen should bo Messrs. T. Mackenzie, for Otago, Mr. Rhodes for Canterbury, and Mr. La wry for Auckland. Mr. Lawry objected to act on the committee beoause ho could not support any party which would not go in for the repeal of the property tax. Messrs. McArthur, Scobie Mackenzie, and others expressed the opinion that it would be very much better to allow the matter to stand as originally proposed, and leave the selection to be made by Messrs. Bryce and Rolleston. Several members of the party raised very strong objections to the action of the late Government in making appointments to the Upper House, bub it was finally concluded that the best course was to let bygones be bygones, and say no more about the matter. The action to be taken by the party in reference to the Chairmanship of Committees was left in the hands of the committee to decide upon. On the question of whips for the party it was unanimously resolved that the two gentlemen who have been acting for tho last day or two, namely, Messrs. Harkness and Wright, should be elected as the whips of the party. The question was raised whether tho party should agree to the proposed adjournment or prorogation to April or May next, or whether efforts should be made to have only one session, with a short adjournment, to enable the new Ministry to perfect their programme and policy. Some discussion took place, bub in the end the subject dropped without any definite decision being arrived at in the matter, lb will be brought up again at a future meeting of the party, and in the meantime will be duly considered by the Managing Committee, Messrs. Bryce and Rolleston. The meeting lasted about two hours. THE LATK MR. SPKRKKY. Mr. Thompson intends moving for the production of the letter written by the late Premier to Major Malr, and recently published in the papers in reference bo the late Mr. Sperroy. POLICE REMOVALS. The new Defence Minister, Mr. Seddon, has issued instructions suspending all orders for removals of police constables and Permanent Artillerymen from one part of the colony to another, pending the consideration of the matter by the Cabinet. He has done this on the ground of tho heavy expense of such removals both to tho country and to the men themselves. TUB GOVERNOR AND THE MINISTRY. The members of the new Ministry were entertained at dinner ntGovernment House this evening, by His Excellency the Governor and Lady Onslow. THE FINANCES. The new Ministry take considerable ex ception to Sir Harry Atkinson's financial statement, which they allege to be unduly rose-coloured. On the other hand, the members of the late Ministry declare that so far from this being the case, the position has been studiously understated by the exTreasurer, who they consider has underestimated the revenuo and overestimated the expenditure. They maintain that Sir H. Atkinson might have pub the case far more favourably, and still have been well within the mark. Time alono will show which of these very diverse opinions is the more accurate. A TROUBLESOME QUESTION. The Auckland portfolio is nob yet allotted, but a very strong feeling is expressed among members (somo indeed on both sides of the House) in favour of Mr. Cadman, whose appointment would' ijo highly popular all round. It is understood that the object of tho Government in waiting for Mr. Goldie's arrival before deciding is to have an opportunity of consulting all the Auckland members as a matter of courtesy respecting the allotment of tho portfolio, before the appointment is definitely made. THE DISMISSED RAILWAY EMPLOYEES. A meeting of the members connected with the labour party was held this evening to consider what step? should be taken to secure the reinstatement of the railway employees dismissed during the recent strike. Mr. Pinkerton, member for Dunedin, occupied the chair, and there wore about thirty members present and accounted for. It was decided to wait on the Ministers tomorrow morning, to ask them to assist in getting them reinstated, and also to try and get their unions recognised, as they existed before their affiliation with the Maritime Council. JOTTINGS. It is understood that Mr. T. Mackenzie is very much irritated over the recent appointments to the Upper House, especially that of Mr. Downio Stewart, and has intimated his desire to bo deemed an independent member.

Mr. O'Conor is now regarded as a Government supporter. The Hon. Mr. Larnach is to be married tomorrow to Miss Constance Brandon, daughter of the late Hon. A. Do D. Brandon, M. L.C.