PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8608, 2 July 1891, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

(BT ntLftORAFH,—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] W*luitoton, Wednesday. , '.:i THE POLITICAL SITUATION. The leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bryce, speaking to me to-day on the present situation of parties, raid the amendment moved last night by Mr. Fish is intended to force a division, so as to make manifest to the country the strength which Ministers possess iii the House, and also to confine the discussion to special points. "We have had advances made to us by the Government side with the view of closing the discussion, but (said Mr. Bryce) we have replied that we think the subject of the proposed policy so important; that it should be fully discussed. We will discuss it till Friday, and then between Friday and Tuesday we shall consider what next step to take. The Opposition will endeavour to make the financial proposals as little harmful as possible, and on several points we think we shall be able to effect modifications. The Government talk about swamping the Upper House if Councillors will not pass their measures, but I think they will nob find that so very easy to do."

THE CHINESE IMMIGRANTS ACT. A petition was presented to-day by Mr. T. Thompson, from James Ah Kew and 87 other Chinese residents of Auckland and suburban districts, risking* for an amendment of the Chinese Immigrants Act. They point out that section 14 of that Act provides that upon the application of a Chinese, and upon being satisfied that such Chinese was at the time when the Act came into operation a resident of the colony, and that he wishes to leave the colony temporarily, the Colonial Treasurer, or any person authorised by him, may grant him a certificate exempting him from the provisions of the Act for a time to be specified, and from alt payments under the Act. Many ov' the petitioners, however, have become residents of the colony since the Act came into operation, and they ask therefore for an amendment of that measure so that they may bo able to obtain certificates of exemption. Seventy other Chinese residents of the Auckland district make a like request in a second petition, also presented by Mr. T. Thompson. 1 THIS KERMADKO SETTLERS. The Public Petitions Committee have considered the petition of Septimus Bacon, and the other persons who went to Sunday Island, in the Kermadee Group, to settle there, and returned to New Zealand after a disastrous failure. In their petition they state that they suffered severe loss through this attempt to settle upon Sunday Island; furthermore, they complained that H. K. BTovell, who was appointed to forward an account of all their losses, forwarded only an account of his own, for the consideration of the House. They asked therefore that their petition might be heard and relief granted. The committee reported to-day tint in their opinion the petitioners have no claim against the colony. A separate petition was received from H. K. Hovell, who alleged that he was induced by rhe report of the SurveyorGeneral to become a settler on Sunday Island, and that he had lost £SSO by the venture. Th=; Committee reported that their opinion is that this petitioner also is without claim on the colony. JOTTINGS. The proposed reduction of the postage rats-Is not agreed with by Mr. Mitchelson. He says the time has not yet arrived when such a large amount of revenue can be dispensed with. The Minister of Justice has offered to confer with Mr. Houston on the question of amending the Rating Act so as to enable local bodies to recover rates from absentees in a simpler way than that at present in force.

When Mr. llees' Legislative Council Ap- I pointments Cancellation Bill was intro- I duced to-day the question was raised by some ''members of the Opposition as to whether the House could entertain such a measure. The Speaker promised to consider the matter, and on that understanding the Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be printed. In his report on the accounts of the Auckland Ci.y Council, the Audit Inspector* Mr. O'H. Smithy praises the very simple arid' admirable system that obtains in all branches of the office, and the efficient manner in which the duties of the various officers are performed. He stated that the work of the rate collectors' branch is especially deserving of credit. One of the most prominent members of the Opposition told me to-day that he thought the Government would have a majority of eighteen or twenty votes in the coming division on their financial policy. The question is to be asked by Mr. Houston of the Minister of Public Works whether in future in calling for tenders for the supply of timber for railway purposes he would give the preference to New Zealand woods. A petition was presented to-day by Mr. W. Kelly from Mrs. Brinkley, of Rotorua, complaining that property at Westport had been taken from her for public works without compensation, and asking for relief. It is considered by Sir John Hall that the Legislative Council Appointments Cancellation Bill from its title is clearly an interference with the prerogative of the Crown, and can no more be entertained than could a proposal to take the crown from Her Majesty, and give it to someone else. To day Mr. Cadinan Informed Mr. Houston that in view of the proposed reduction of the rate of postage to a penny, the Government did not think it would be advisable to allow local bodies to send their correspondence free from post-age. In regard to the petition of Airs. Hamlin, of Onehunga, asking for consideration because of her Ute husband's services to the Government as native interpreter, the Public Petitions Committee report that in their opinion she has no claim against the colony. The Minister of Lands, in his speech on the financial debate, had been talking for only a few seconds when he mentioned '' the Conservative Press." Replying to Mr. Houston's question, Will the Government introduce an amendment to the Public Works Act, to enable local bodies to take lands for public roads in a simpler manner than at present in force, Mr. Seddon said he would give the matter attention and see whether some easier method could be devised. It should be generally known that in a petition sent to the House any erasure or amendment should be initialled. One petition was rejected by the Classification Committee because the substitution of the words "your petitioners" for the first person singular, " I " was not so initialled. The member for Manakau, Mr. Bucklancl, proposes to ask the Government whether they intend this session to offer a bonus for the encouragement of the iron industry. It is also his intention to ask the Native Minister whether he will take steps to have a suitable native hostelry erected at Onehunga. A characteristic petition was presented to-day by Mr. T. Thompson from E. Harrow, of Takapuno, complaining chiefly that some of his turkeys bad eaten poisoned apples and had died. The Minister of Lands believes that the colony will have to purchase back again some of the land given to the Midland Railway If settlement is to progress. Notice has been given by Mr. O'Conor that ho will move,, an addition to Mr. Fisher's amendment in the Financial debate to the effect that the House urges the Government to withhold the proposal to reduce the postage rate, and devote the additional revenue to the purpose of facilitating land settlement. A petition was presented to-day by Mr. Bryco from a number of the electors of Te Aroha, asking that the disqualification imposed upon Mr. W. S. Allen, as the result of the recent election petition, bo removed. To-night Mr. Mitcnelson said that Mr. Kensington, of the Lands Department in Auckland, is one of the best otlicers in the Government service. The opinion has been echoed by Mr. C. H. Mills that newspapers should be carried free rather than that the postage rates : should bo reduced. The reduction of the telephone rate Mr. Mitchelson believes will result in a loss.