PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8664, 5 September 1891, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[by telegraph, —special CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday. PETITIONS. The Publio'Pebibions Committee submitted the following petitions to-day :Petition of J. A. Shepherd and forty-four others, Port Albert, opposing the Payment of Members Bill. As this petition refers to a Bill now before Parliament, the committee has no recommendation to make. Petition of Samuel Stephenson, of Mount Albert, stating that he was granted a hotel license at the Thames, but was nob permitted to use it, and was obliged to abandon his proi perty, and that his property at Mount Alberb was also depreciated in value; the committee has no recommendation to make. Petition of Mrs. Gillespie, Auckland, stating that as the widow of the late A. Gillespie, caretaker of Government House, Auckland, she was entitled to a gratuity not exceeding two years' salary, but received only £100, and asking for further allowance; that in the opinion of the committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Petition of F. Swindloy, Whakatane, stating that after fifteen years of military service in tho colony, ho finds himself in straitened circumstances ; that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Petition of Captain M. Kripptier, of Puhoi, for consideration for having established the Puhoi settlement; that tho committee has no evidonca to prove that the petitioner has any claim against the colony. AUCKLAND ELECTRIC LIGHTING BILL.

The Auckland Electric Lighting Bill parsed its second reading in the Legislative Council this afternoon, after a brief discussion, during which an attempt was made to shelve it. Mr. Swanson moved that the Bill be read a second time this day six months, but it was pointed out that this would be a most exceptional and somewhat discourteous proceeding in the case of a private Bill, and in the particular circumstances of the case woula prevent tho Bill going to the committee of selection. Mr. Swanson recognised tho force of the arguments used, and obtained leave to withdraw his amendment. Mr. Dignan, as a ratepayer of the city, opposed the Bill, but tho second reading was ultimately carried on the voices. The Bill was then referrred to the committee of seleotion. Mr. Shera thinks that a proviso will probably be inserted to the effect that the Bill must be brought into operation within two years. I am informed, however, that the new clause already inserted in the Bill giving a double veto, to the Auckland City Council, and a remedy to the Auckland ratepayers, must have the effecb of rendering the Bill virtually inoperative, and making it, in fact, mere waste paper, as there is very little likelihood of the contemplated undertaking being gone on with under the Bill as it is now framed.

THE NATIVE LAND BILL.

The meeting of natives in Parliamentary Buildings for the consideration of the Native Land Bill is likely to have important results. They have been discussiug the Bill for the past three days, and have dn.wn up resolutions. They demand in these resolutions that the Native Land Bill shall not bo passed in its present form, but that in its place a law shall be passed comprising the following provision (1) That the power to manage their own lands be returned to the Maori people ; ('2) that the Maori District Committees be empowered to adjudicate upon native lands, and lands which have not been adjudicated upon by the Native Land Court, and also with subdivisions and successions having similar powers to the Native Land Court; (3) that the co-owners of any block of land should have power to appoint a committee to deal with their land ; (4) that a committee bo appointed to decide any land disputes in which natives and Europeans or the Government are involved, and also to consider all oppressive laws, and all purchases, leases, and judgments, and all other grievances since the signing of tho Treaty of Waitancji; (5) that any sale of individual interests whether to Government or other persons be void and of no effect unless and until , the land lias been.individualised. The natives appeal to the Maori members that if the principles here mentioned are not agreed to they will oppose tho measure now before tho House. There is a material departure in these resolutions from the linos laid down in the Native Lands Bill, and they contain an important policy. It now seems certain that the Bill will not be carried this session, at all events in its present form. Several members intend to wait on the Government on Monday to ask them to amend the Native Land Bill so that it will include the proposal made by the Maori people at this meeting.

FEMALIC SUFFRAGE BILL. Speculation is rife to-day as to the probable fate of the Female Suffrage Bill in the Legislative Council. The Bill was introduced into that Chamber to-day, and was read a third time, the second reading being sot down for Wednesday. A careful canvass has been made of'the Council, with the object of ascertaining how the voting is likely to go. The result has been to give an apparenS majority of one against the Bill ; but thore are Legislative Councillors Messrs. Holmes, Hart, and Mantell, whose votes are regarded as doubtful; manifestly, therefore, if one of these three votes against the Bill, and two for it, there will be a tie; whilo if two of the threo vote for the Bill, it is safe for its second reading at all events. At present the chances seem to be adverse; but, on the other hand, some Legislative Councillors feel very strongly that their House oughb not to be made use of as a sort of " destructor " for Bills to be cas into that have been reluctantly passed by fc majority in the Lower House. These Councillors say, " Tho Bill mainly affects the Lower House, and if they really want ita let them have it." The prevalent impression is, however, that the Bill will be thrown out by a narrow majority. THE OPPOSITION. An informal meeting of the Opposition party was held this morning, to discuss the vacant leadership. There was nob a full attendance, however, as several members were unable to be present, and the consideration of the question of appointing a leader was postponed until Tuesday. It is now regarded as probable that Mr. Rolleston will be chosen to succeed Mr. Bryce, notwithstanding the unacceptableness of his views on the land question to the majority of the party. I have reason to suspect that one cause tending bo " make for" Mr. Rolleston's election to the leadership is the premature exultation displayed by the Ministerialists over the supposed likelihood that Captain Russell would be chosen as leader. The Ministerialists were exultant over this reported probability, nob that thoy fail to recognise the ability and special capacity for leadership which have been displayed by the member for Hawko's Bay, bub because they beliove thab the fact of his beine tainted with the deadly crime of wealth and land ownership would make his leadership unpopular, and that thab impopularity would be reflected on his party. This was perceived by the Opposition, and its perception has materially modified the feelings generally entertained by the party with regard to Mr. Rolleston's very outspoken utterances during the debate on the Land Bill, that is to say the party seem now to be disposed to swallow Mr Rolleaton's land heresies in consideration of the popularity that may attach to them, and to his support of his perpetual lease-'system. The question, however, is not yeb definitely settled either way.

THE PENNY POST. The establishment of the penny posb is the purpose of the Post Office Act Amendment Bill, which is one of the measures which the Government will endeavour to pass this sessson. The fate of the penny Cost appears problematical. Some memers have made up their minds to oppose it, because they think it will leave a deficit in the revenue which cannot bo lightly looked at in the present position of the colony. However, if the Bill is carried it is the intention of the Government to postpone the inauguration of the penny post until the 31st March next, the end of the financial year. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. An extraordinary dispute about a plain question of fact occurred during to-night's consideration of the Legislative Council

Bill in committee. A statement was made by Mr. T. Thompson that when the last batch of appointments to the Legislative Council were made a distinct pledge was taken from the appointees that they would support a measure for the reform of the Council by limiting the tenure of seats therein to seven years, their own seats being included in this compaot. I his assertion was challenged by several speakers, and members of the late Ministry -were called to state whether or not it was true. Captain Russell and Mr. Richardson both declined to disclose "Cabinet secrets. This brought up several speakers on both sides, some affirming the truth of the statement that members of the late Government had said that such a compact had been made, others denying it, and some confessing incredulity or doubt. Mr. T. Thompson asserted positively that the facts were as stated, and csdled on Messrs. J. W. Thomson and R. Thompson to bear out his assertion. The latter emphatically endorsed his namesakes allegations, and added that the Premier had informed the first caucus of the party held in January last (when exception was taken to the new appointments) that written pledges had been given by the new Councillors that they would support the proposed i reform. Mr. T. Mackenzie, who was at the ' caucus, as emphatically denied the trutfc of the statement, and Sir John Hall disclaimed knowledge of tho circmmstance. The wrangle closed in the end without any definite conclusion, bub the dispute ia the more surprising inasmuch as the statement was openly made bo myself and others by at) least two members of the late Ministry, credit) being claimed for such a condition being attached to tho new appointment-, and several members who were present at that caucus informed me ab its conclusion that the statement was made there by tho late Premier. The only error consists in the allegation that the pledge was given in writing. Whab I was told was, thab the new councillors had given the pledge orally, bub had undertaken to put it in writing if required to do so. Mr. Reeves read from the New Zealand Herald a full report of the caucus proceed ing, which made the matter very clear.

JOTTINGS. This afternoon Mr.. P. A. Edmiston was in the Speaker's gallery. He waa passing through Wellington from the South on his way to Auckland. A brass tablet to tho memory of the late Mr. R. Turnbull, M.H.R., subscribed for by members of the Legislature, and to be placed in St. Mary's Anglican Church, Timaru, was brought from London by the lonic, and was on view in the main lobby of Parliament buildings to-day. The tablet is suitably inscribed. ...... In his petition asking that his case be considered, Judge Edwards states that unless provision is made out of tho public funds for the costs of his appeal to the Privy Council the points of law will nob be properly argued. Speaking of Parliamentary perquisites, Mr. Rolled ton says that tho free railway pass tends to cause objectionable remarks, " Here comes another deadhead," and comments of that kind. The most frequent speaker on the Legislative Council Reform Bill to-night was Sir George Grey, who proposed to limit the period of membership in tho Council to three years, then to five, and also movod that the Council should be elective. The House negatived all these amendments. A Bill to continue the property tax for the ensuing year was introduced to-day by the Premier.

Captain Russell asked to-doy that Judge Edwards' petition be referred to a select committoe, as an important constitutional question was involved in it. The Premier is afraid that it is too lato in the session to do so, but ho will consider the matter. Mr. Blake says that the longer he has been in the House the more certain he has become that there should be a Legislative Council.

In his amendments in tho Legislative Council Reform Bill Sir George Grey was warmly supported by Mr. Rees. The Bill providing for the Totalisator Tax was read a first time to-day. In reply to Mr. Palmer, Mr. Seddon says that negotiations are now going on between the Rifile companies and the owner of the land at the Mount Eden Rifle range, and that the range shall not be closed. During the year ending April 30, 1891, there has been iu tho Auckland district an increase of 118,577 in the number of sheep. The total increase of sheep in New Zealand in that period has been 633,579, of which the North Island had far the largost number, 567,174. , The Customs and Excise Duties Bill was read a third time to-day in the Council and passed without amendments. In reference to the petitions recently received on behalf of Mrs. Brown, widow of the lato Mr. J. C." Brown, who was member for Tuapeka for many years, the Public Petitions Committee recommend the Government to place a sum of £500 on the Supplementary Estimates as a compassionate allowance. At the suggestion of Mr. Palmer, a clause giving the Armed Constabulary men the opportunity of voting was included in tho Electoral Bill, which passed the Lower House to-day. The Premier, whoso utterances are the most important of those of all mon in tho House, is more often inaudible in the press galleries than almost any other member.