PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9238, 28 June 1893, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

l«Y »«L«OBAPH.«HI»I01AI OOMUWPONDMn a < " Wkixinqtom, Tuesday J MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO ».j The Times, the Government organ, says Is natural for Auckland to desire that tl J new Minister shall, be an Aucklander. 0 then traverses the grounds of the Hkkai sub-lnader, contending that Auckland hi more than reason to be satisfied with thini a as th ° are. The allegation that tl i- purchase is an injustice to tl k North is said to be contrary to faots. J A was an act of justice to the South, and f It Uce can never be unjust. / J THE NAVAL DISASTER. / ' J' A funereal opening and a mow/iS a again characterised the opening t business. No sooner was the routy"?* J finished than the Premier rose to/?iS!l I the House express its regret * ri " d "!?h . at the loss of the warship v/"* BU °* r resolution , be sent to the gSSJtt , a request that it should b / tw - ed 1° the Queen, Mr. Seddon taJ/JftS 10 " * mention that he had alref C VT y >' . pathy to the Agent-Gen/*' Judgment Haiti Mr. Seddonr must >«»"P«n««etl until further intelligence way? £ Hnd » bub lt /*! fitting that sorrow sb*™ b ? £ xr ? 8 ? d ; the lamentable deaf wlncn , had befallen equally gallant off" *" crew Mr " Rolieston, in seo/V n 8 thß .motion m leader of the ttl . on ' o,,, ted out that it had been tJWtaj * *»•• ben brought in con** ," lth Ad » ,ir * l J?" 1 ' ' Mr. Rolleston tf kd in connection with the resolution re*!e tho formation of the Australian a/ ,iKr force , as the firßt and most practir Bte P towards federation, I «R' WILLIAM FOX. The »(j° ne characterising the House dip 6 " B ** when the Premier again ro*e So ' ove a vote °f regret at 'he death I of Sir l«Hiaro Fox, of whose work in conI neotio' with education, temperance, rollI y j on nd all good works, Mr Seddon epoke 1 ijios''' , 'K bub the proceedings were I mo/ impressive when the older members, j S,,' John Hall, Mr. Saunders, and Mr. J Mltchison, all old friends, spoke of him J tho had gone. The testimony was an elo queut one, and few statesmen living in an air of such keen rivalry can hope for such a tribute when thoy pass away. PETITION**. Amongst other petitions presented, today, were the following:—Mr. Lowry, for Charles Crozier, as to a grant of land ; Mr. T. Thompson, for T. Kennedy, asking reconsideration of his dismissal; Mr. Jackson i aimer, for gumdiggers, against the Austrian influx. QUESTIONS AND NOTICES OF MOTION. Amongst the questions and notices of motion are the following :—Mr. Houston to ask the Minister of Justice if he will, this session, introduce a Bill to provide against glove contests; Mr. Moore to ask the Minister of Lands whether the Noxious Weeds Bill will provide for the inspection of clover seed paddocks, with a view to the prevention of the distribution of the Cali lornian thistle seed; if not, will the Minister consider the advisability of leaking some provision in this direction. Mr. Palmer to ask the Government if they will endeavour to have land for settlement thrown open near railway lines for gangers and employes on the railways. Mr. Houston to ask the Minister for Public Works if he will include Rawene, Wbangaroa, Mangonui, and Kaitaia amongst the list of places where specifications can be seen for the supply of sleepers, tenders for which are now advertised. Mr. E. M. Smith to ask the Government if they will without delay deal with the old soldiers claims that have been dealt with by the Lands Commissioners in accordance with the recommendations of the House last session, so that there may be no further delay, and that justice may be done to these deserving men. Mr. *V Hutchison to ask the Minister of Lands if Resolution Island, in the South, and the Little Barrier Island in the North,are found likely as an experiment to success in perpetuating and increasing the native birds of the colony, and if any recent report on the subject favourable or otherwise has been received by the Government. Mr. (8. M. Smith to ask the Minister of Justice if he "has* instructed the police authorities to thoroughly Investigate the case of the notorious Worthington, ot the so-called Temple of Truth, Christ•hurch; if not, will he do so without delay, and if he finds on investigation that VVorthington has been guilty of gioss immorality in the ceremony of the Inner Temple, will he order his arrest, so that he may be brought to justice; and if the offence is proved be punished with the utmost rigour of the law ; and will be thereupon order the said Temple to be destroyed, that it may no longer defile the colony of New Zealand to its hurt and dishonour? Mr. K. M. Smith, the Taranaki Relief Fund Distribution Bill; Mr. McUuire, a Bill to Prohibit the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors or the Manufacture of Intoxicating Liquors in the Colony; Hon. Mr. Seddon, the Electoral Bill; Hon, Mr. Seddon, the Constitution Act Amendment Bill; Mr. Duthie to move, "That a return be laid before this House showing the total number of peimits issued and days of racing on which the use of the totalisator was authorised in each of the years ending 30st March, 1890, 1891, 1892, and 1893;" Mr. Moore to move, "That there bo laid before Lhis House a return showing the number of first-class, the number of second-class, and the number of steerage passengers that have arrived in New Zealand from the Australian colonies during each of the last three years, ending the 31st March"; Mr. Houston to move, " That a return be laid before this House specifying in detail th« port charges levied at the different ports in the colony." Mr. Hutchison for a return of the amount of bhn per centages paid to the Treasury from the investments on the totalisator in the several provincial districts of the colony respectively for the year from Ist April, 1892, to 31st March, 1893. For Thursday : Mr. Allen to ask tho Premier if he will introduce an amendment to the Auctioneers' Act for the purpose of permitting bona fidt auctioneers to sell goods up to nine p.m. Mr. T. Thompson, the Auckland Domain Vesting ; Mr. T. Thompson, the Auckland Hospital Reserves Exchange Bill; Mr. Shera, the Property Law Consolidation Act Amendment Bill; Mr. Sher3, to move for a return showing the total amount of mortgages subject to taxation under the Land and Income-tax, and the amount of revenue received therefrom ; also showing the total amount of debentures subject to taxation under the same Act, and the amount of revenue received therefrom. For Friday: Dr. Newman to ask the Minister of Defence if he will bring in a Civil and Military Settlers Bill this year to finally settl i claims. For Wednesday, 6th July: Mr. W. C. Smith to move, " That in the opinion of this House the totalisator should be abolished, and that the Government be requested to bring in a Bill to give effect to this resolution." CAUCUS MEETING. Owing to the partial, though effective, elimination of disturbing elements, the caucus meeting was less exciting than had been anticipated. In all 37 members of the party out of 72 were present, though 45 were accounted for. The Premier and the Hon. Mr. Carroll were the only Ministers present, the former acting as the mouthpiece of tha Cabinet. He explained the programme of the Government, traversing similar lines to those of his Auckland speech, and the Governor's address. There was some slight attempt at discussion upon detail, but time did not allow of this being proceeded with. The meeting lasted about an hour, and members say it was one of the best meetings of the kind ever held. , THE LEADERSHIP. The matter of the leadership was one of the things for which acrimony had been expected. The matter was settled, however, in a very quiet way. Recognising that his presence might complicate matters, Sir Robert Stoutabsented himself, writing to the whips, in response to their invitation to be present, stating that, as he understood his name was to be mentioned, he thought it better to keep away. He would come to the meeting after that question was disposed of. It was understood that he Would give Mr. Seddon and his Ministry all the support in his power Mr. O'Conor showed a strong disposition to bring forward Sir Roberts claims, and urged that he should be recognised by the Ministry. This was received with cries of "How is it to be done?" Mr. O'Conor's idea was evidently \ that for the session Sir Robert should be a sorb of recognised

< »..„ *«i/"*• throne, and doubtless this '. SJIT L .{P* Th « r « «m m» indication a! «F>s on fcho P Mb of the party that IMr ?LP ™ oi *« l be 'he leader until after iu," .yrneral election, and then the de« "J&ld have to be seHled after the IT':* had given their verdicb. I it undT nd thftt Sir Hob « wlll * blde ty %ressed wish of the party, and acqui- * ear anything thab ma V be done. I The cadman complication. imlefesb in Importance of the matters ex--1 cted to come before the caucus was the fVadraan difficulty, the Native Minister tiaving stated that he would place himself 'in the hands of tho party. lb was understood that he would do this because of the disinclination of the Cabinet to take per* sonal responsibility upon themselves. The Auckland members in particular, however, did not want to be mixed up in the affair, as personal friendship existed on* the part of many between them and both Mr. Rees and Mr. Cadman. As a consequence, no mention of the embroglio was made at the caucus meeting. Had there been, as staled yesterday, a cleavage would have been inevitable. Mr. Cadman was absent and Mr. Rees was not invited. The party was thus saved from otherwise certain rocks ahead. The position was rendered keener by bhe receipt of telegrams from Auckland, which were handed earlier in the day to the Premier, to the effect that a strong feeling existed against Mr. Cadman remaining in the Ministry, until he had submitted himself to public test. Ministers were evidently anxious, and most of them were in the precincts of the House awaiting developments. After the caucus meeting was over an informal consultation was held, and the position discussed. There was yet difficulty, and Ministers left for lunch, matters being still undecided. The House was to meet ab half - past two, and fifteen minutes before that time Mr. Seddon had a private interview with Mr. Cadman to get from him his "Yes" or "No." The result was that Mr. Cadman decided that it was better to resign his portfolio and consult his constituents. In justice to Mr. Cadman, however, too groat Stress Cannot be laid on the fact that the possible indecision on his part was accentuated by the receipt of a telegram from his constituents expressing the utmost confidence, and urging that there was no reason why he should resign either his seat or his portfolio. Mr. Cadman'e Ministerial work will be performed by Mr. Reeves. JOTTINGS. Mr. Thomas Mackenzie will to-morrow ask the Treasurer whether he will this session amend the Land and Income Tax Act in the direction of enabling the mortgaged small farmer to enjoy the same exemptions and privileges at present given to his unencumbered neighbour? The Government are to be asked to amend the Animals Protection Act, so aa to restrict the quantity of game frozen, and regulate its disposal. Mr. Shera has moved for a return showing what number of mortgages are subject to taxation under the Ijinds and Incom Tax Act, and the amount of revenue re ceived therefrom; also showing the total amount of debentures subject to taxation under the same Act, and the amount of revenue received therefrom. The question of relief from taxation of the debentures of the WellingtonRailway is understood to be under the consideration of the Government. Certain amendments in the Property Law Consolidation Act will be sought to be made by Mr. Shera. The delay in laying the Onslow papers upon the table of the House will probably give rise to adverse comment on the part of the Opposition, who point out that the whole correspondence was published in the New Zealand Hkkald a week before the papers were accessible to them through the ordinary channels. The Hon. W. Jennings' speech in the Upper House was modest and full of common sense. The new member was heartily congratulated by some of the oldest members at its conclusion. A paper laid on the table yesterday on the cost of collecting Customs and other Revenue, by the Customs Department, shows that the net collection at Auckland, for the year ending March, 1893, was £382,450, the rate per cent, being £1 17s 3d. A statement of business transacted under the Land Transfer Acts, during the twelve months ending 3lsfc March, 1893, shows that in the Auckland district applications to the value of £68,996, transfers to the value of £201,654, and mortgages to the value of £846,570 were dealt with. The annual report of the Costley Train ing Institute has been laid before the House. The Premier moved for a week's leave of absence for Sir George Grey, who is detained through ill-health. The leave was promptly granted. An informal caucus meeting of the Opposition was held yesterday. Colonel Fox's report as to volunteers has again been delayed.