POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 860, 24 August 1888, Page 29

POLITICAL NOTES.

The Chairman of Committees had another lively encounter yesterday week, his opponent this time being Mr Guinness. The Premier was speaking to a point of order, when Mr Guinness rose, and was, of course, promptly “ruled out.” In spite of this, he persisted iu speaking, being encouraged thereto by Mr Moss and sundry other entities. This went on for a minute or two till the Chairman said “Sit down, sir !” whereupon Mr Guinness sat down, muttering sulkily “ You sit down, too.” The Chairman at onoe called on the Government to interfere, and at the Premier’s suggestion Mr Guinness withdrew, remarking as he did so that the Chairman’s tone led him to make the remark. Mr Seddon said something about “ungentlemanly.” Mr Moss said “Hear, hear,” sardonically, and there the matter ended.

The Goldfields Committee met yesterday week and examined Count Jouffroyd’Abbans, French Consul, in connection with mining in France and the representation of New Zealand mineral products at the Paris Exhibition. He gave evidence at length a 3 to the manner in which such operations are conducted in France, and in connection with the question generally. The Count also asked leave to present to the Library a copy of a book by D. Levy, entitled * ‘ Les Francais en Calefornie.”

The question of taxation of absentees was raised by Dr Newman when the Property Tax Bill was under consideration last week, in the shape of a suggestion to the Premier that a clause should be put iu the Bill to effect that object. The Premier replied that he would be very glad to consider the matter, but the difficulty was in defining an absentee. Dr Newman endeavoured to get the Premier to promise that he would put clauses into the Bill if they were drawn up, but this Sir Harry declined to do, though ho offered to consider such clauses. Mr Turnbull said he had a clause, drawn up by one of the ablest lawyers in the Colony, which would meet the difficulty suggested by the Premier, and under which absentees would have to pay double what was paid by residents in the Colony. The clause which he read was to the following effect : —“ Provided always that every owner of real estate who shall either personally or through an authorised agent certify that he has not been absent from the Colony for a longer period than twelve months prior to the Ist May, 1889, be entitled to a rebate of one halfpenny for every 20 shillings of the value of such real estate."

An interesting suggestion has been made to the Government. It is that they should negotiate with the Government of New South Wales with the object of arranging that the early records of this Colony now in the possession of the latter Government may be transferred to the custody of this country.

Certain members are urging upon the Colonial Treasurer that, after the strong expression of opinion made during the present session by a large number of members of the House against the Property tax, he should, during the recess, take into consideration the advisableness of repealing the said tax, and of substituting in lieu thereof some other form of taxation. The Colonial Treasurer “doesn't see it.”

The Goldfields Committee reported last Friday on the mineral exhibits sent to the Melbourne Exhibition. They censure the Mines Department for leaving everything to the Commissioners, and express the opinion that the Commissioners, through lack of funds, failed to do all that should have been done, while mine owners and local bodies also showed a want of due interest. The Committee recommend a vote o,f £SOO for improved mineral representation : the completion and circulation of the Mines Handbook and other cognate documents ; the sending of ore, &q., in quantity, apd of experts la praotioal mining to report,

Mr Fish asked the Premier last Friday—(l) Whether the Government intend to fill the vacancy likely to occur in the office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Wellington, by the appointment of a duly, qualified legal practitioner. (2) Whether the present Deputy-Registrar is about to ha appointed by the Government qs successor to the Registrar, who is about ta retire, upop. his pension ; aqd vphather. oi; noij the several senior officers in that branch of the service are not more entitled to the promotion than the present Deputy-Registrar of Wellington. The Minister of Justice regretted that Mr Fish should so readily jump at couelusiona. The iGovernment did intend to appoint a competent person to the office, and such per. son would be legally qualified. With regard to the second part of the question, in making the appointment dne consideration would he given to fitness and length of service.

An announcement by the persistent Mr Yerrall that he saw a distinot connection between State banka and dog collars provoked an enthusiastic burst of cheers in the House last Friday afternoon. Mr Verrall having asked a question upon the important subject of dog collars and hame-straps, received a reply which he considered unsatisfactory, and said as much. The Premier, who, it is to be feared, wished to draw Mr Verrall out, asked what was not satisfactory, but the Speaker would not have it at all, and re. plied himself that what Mr Yerrall com. plained of was that the Premier said nothing about State banks—which was hardly the case, because the member for Ashley can say all that is to be said, and more than is necessary, upon State banks,

The Minister of Pnblio Works explained last Friday, for the edification of Mr Valentine, that the Government did not propose to send Home for a clock for the Wellington Post-office ; they had agreed to find a tower, leaving the citizens to provide the clock. Tenders and correspondence which had been received from the Agent-General had been forwarded to the Mayor.

The Minister of Justice stated in the House

that the officers of his department were of opinion that the Salvation Army did a vast amount of good work among the lower classes, and especially among fallen women, who could not be reaohed by any other religious organisation.

On the petition of Alexander Dundas, of Palmerston North, praying for compensation on account of services to the Provincial Government, the Petitions Committee report that the petitioner has no claim against the Colony. The Committee report in the case of George Nye, of Foxton (also a claim for compensation), that though the petitioner filled his duties most efficiently, as he does not come under the Civil Service Act the Committee have no recommendation to make. On the petition of George McClean, of Hawera, praying for a title to certain land, the Committee recommend that the Government should take steps to have the property legally conveyed to him.

Some members profess to be much disgusted at the contents of the Public Works Statement, and assert that “the distribution of moneys is uusound in some cases, and, in others, that needful works are neglected.” They hold that “such a do-nothing policy means the throwing out of work of a great many men and much dulness."

When, last year, £79,000 was left “ unallotted ” in the loan schedule of the Million Act, many members eyed it covetously, hoDing to get a large portion of it to cover the “shortage” in their individual allotments. Already nearly half this sum has vanished, and, ere any one section can lay hands on it, the rest will be gone like a will-o’-the-wisp.

Dr Menzies having been called to the Legislative Council on the 28th January, 1858, had held his seat for upward of 30 years. By seniority he was three years ahead of the next member (Major Baillie), who was called iu 1861, the next being Sir G. S. Whitmore in 1863.

The banquet given to Mr Larnaeh at Bellamy’s on Saturday evening was a great success. There were over 30 members of the Legislature present, and several invited guests. The chair was occupied by Mr R. J. Seddon, who was supported on his right by the guest of the evening, and on his left by Mr G. F. Richardson, Minister of Mines. The toast of the evening, the health of Mr Larnaeh, was proposed by the Chairman, who eulogised Mr Larnach’s services to the Colony during his many years’ connection with Parliament, and wished him every success in his new home in Australia. Mr Larnaeh responded suitably, and subsequently proposed the health of the miners on the West Coast, who lately presented him with a testimonial. “The Legislature ” was given by Mr Toihurst, and responded to by Mr P. A. Buckley and Mr G. F. Richardson ; ‘ ‘ The Mining Industry ” by Mr R. H. J. Reeves, and responded to by Messrs G. F. Richardson and J, C. Brown; “ Commercial Interests,” by Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald; “The Army, Navy and Volunteers ” by Mr Allen, responded to by Messrs Bonar, Ward and Feldwick ; and “ The Press," by Mr Guinness, responded to by Dr Martin. During the evening congratulatory telegrams from the Inangahua County Council and from other mining centres were read, and apologies were received from Messrs Fergus and Pyke.

The Crown and Native Lands Rating Act Repeal Bill passed its final stages in the House of Representatives on Monday night. There was an intention even at the last to stonewall it, but the intending stonewallers found that the House was not in a mood to stand obstruction, and that the sole result of any suoh attempt would be to forfeit the concessions already promised, so they wisely gave in and the Bill was passed, ’

No fewer than 37 2ills owned by private members have been ruthlessly condemned to oblivion. The Government Bills dropped are—Foul Brood among Bees, Californian Thistle Eradication, Counties Boundaries Alteration Bill, Deceased Persons Estates Duties Amendment, Stamp Act Amendment, ■ Public Bodies Powers Act Amendment, Criminal Code, Municipal Corporations, Fisheries Bill, Electoral Bill, Industrial Schools Act Amend ment Bill, Offences against the Person, Disorderly Houses Suppression Bill.

The Premier and Mr W. P. Reeves will doubtless be the better friends for the fewhard knocks they gave each other on Monday night. Mr Reeves having made an interjection while the Premier was speaking, Sir Harry dropped the thread of his argument, and devoted his entire and exclusive attention to Mr Reeves. He advised the hon gentleman that if he wished to attain a position in the House he must do something more than abuse the Government. Smart speeches, if they had a little originality in them, were telfing and effective, and all very well in their way ; but Mr Reeves had got into, a habit of making smart speeohea about nothing. Mr Reeves; About the Government. The Premier accepted this somewhat obtuse joke as a conclusion to the argument, and went on his way rejoiolng.

Mr Verrall is to have an opportunity of inflicting his ideas upon State banks upon a long-suffering community, whose patience will some day come to a sudden end. The question of a State bank is one upon which he is (in a Pickwickian sense) absolutely mad —-it is the one subject upon whioh ho concentrates his energies, and to which he devotes all his speeches. On Monday night he again brought it up, and accepted with much satisfaction an assurance from the Pre* mler that he could discuss it on the motion to go into Supply.

Mr R. H. J. Reeves had another opportunity of airing his ability as a stonewaller on Monday evening, and availed him self of it cheerfully. Out of a number of Bills, he chose that dealing with the foul brood among bees as the subject of discussion, and devoted nearly an hour and a half to a disquisition on bees, the foul brood, and such other ques-

tions as happened to suggest themselves to him. He drew pathetic and touching pictures of the bee in his humble home, working out his destiny after the peculiar manner of his kind, and improving the shining hour, as explained by Dr Watts ; and then suddenly routed, discomfitted, and slaughtered iu large numbers by this terrible epidemic, upon tho appearance of whioh, Mr Reeves put it, “it was all up with the bee.” He pointed to Corsica.as the land where Napoleon Bonaparte was born, and probably brought up on honey, which is largely produced in that country ; and suggested that we might grow as great men if we suddenly descended, bill in hand, upon the “foul brood.” Nor did he forget the virtue of honey as a medicine ; what an exceedingly good thing it was for a cold if taken with a little sugar and a little whisky. All this was exceedingly amusing, but when it had gone on for some time the Speaker sternly told the member for Inangahua that he was trifling with the dignity of the House and met every effort to evade the ruling promptly and effectively. Mr Reeves, reduced to the painful necessity of talking sense, went on slowly after this, and eventually subsided peacefully into silence.

The Publio Works Statement seems to be steadily growing in disfavour as it 3 contents become more known. One striking fact is that the only increase in the Estimates is the vote for roads on goldfields. This increase is in startling contrast to the very severe cutting down which other districts have suffered.

Some natural curiosity is felt as to whether the cruisers now in course of construction in Great Britain for the defence of the Colony are of the Archer type, recently stated to be a complete failure.

Some Northern members want the Government to introduce a short Bill this session to give effect to the proposal made by Mr S. Vaile to lease the Auckland Section Railway for a period of five years, a substantial guarantee being given that an increasing revenue beyond that now obtained shall be paid to the Government, and that users of the railway shall also be benefited by fixing maximum rates at least 10 per cent below existing rates. Mr Goldie is moving in the matter.

It is being urged upon the Government that they shall, during the recess, formulate a scheme to provide for foreat.tree planting by the State, or to encourage forest-tree planting by private individuals. This is an excellent suggestion.

Dr Newman asked the Minister for Publio Works on Tuesday (1) the date when the Government took possession of the new printing office with their printing machines and stationery ; (2) the date when they officially took the buildings off the contractor’s hands ; (3) the date on which the boiler and engines were delivered to allow the contractor to finish his work ? The Minister replied that the date of taking possession was the 9th March, though the foundations of some of the machine-rooms had still to be completed. The date of taking possession officially was the 10th March ; and the boilers and engines were delivered some \n March and some in April.

A paper has been laid on the. table embodying suggestions from the North Canterbury Sheep and Cattle Farmers' Association for amendment in the law with a view to preventing sheep and cattle stealing. The Association urges that a oommittee should be appointed to inquire, into the matter, but that as the session is now too far advanced for anything to be dona at present, the paper should ba referred to the Stook Committee.

Tiie Minister for Publio Works stated, in answer to Mr Larnaoh that there were two or three minor partitions in wood in the new post office, the reason being that if they had been built of brick it would have necessitated pile foundations. There were, however, six brick partitions carried right up to the roof* and ample precaution would bo taken, in the way of appliances, &c-, against fire.

Robert Seymour, Secretary of the local Seamen’s Union, having petitioned Parliament for relief on the ground that he lost a situation more remunerative by £1 a week than that he now holds, in consequence of the negligence of the Telegraph Department in not carrying out written instructions as to hi 3 address, the Publio Petitions Committee recommend that the case be referred to the favourable consideration of the Government. Od the petition of Alice Jane Mill, who prayed for relief on the ground that she had sustained injury in medical treatment, the Committee report that they have no recommendation to make.

The members of tho Pemberton Special Settlement having petitioned for consideration on tho ground that their Secretary, Mr Dudley Eyre, had absconded, the Public Petitions Committee recommend the Government to give them reasonable considera, tion, and that the settlers capitalise their payments, the Government giving- them every consideration.

The Waste L.ands Committee of the Legislative Council, to whom was referred the petition of George McLean, of Hawera, for a title to a section of land at Patea, reported to the Council on Tuesday that having examined the evidence they cannot recommend that the application be entertained, as Katene did not serve his full period, but deserted to the enemy. The report concludes as follows :—“ Your Committee think it their duty to bring under the notice of the Council that the papers submitted to them show that in July, 1886, Major Gudgeon, one of the Commissioners appointed to examine into the claims of naval and military settlers, reported to Government that Wi Katene ‘had actually served the whole period required by law, and was entitled to the Crown grant.’ This statement is so opposed to the evidence in the possession of Government that your Committee are of opinion he should be called upon for an explanation. It was upon this statement that provision for the issue of a grant of land to

Wi Kateno was inserted in the Special Powers and Contracts Act of 1886. It is possible that in making this statement Major Gudgeon was unduly influenced by Colonel McDonnell’s declaration on the 9th October, 1883, that Katene had served his whole period of service and was entitled to the land. In Colonel McDonnell’s words : ‘I was so certain, just as I am now, that the land in question belonged to Katene that on my return from England, in 1877, I offered to buy his land, but he had sold it.’ This is in entire opposition to Colonel McDonnell’s declaration to the Government; of the sth May, 1881, that Katene had not; served his term of service, but had deserted to the enemy ; and also to Colonel McDonnell’s statement in an unofficial letter o£ 30th May, ISBI, that ‘I still think be is not entitled to the land.’ This evidence, whioh was laid before the Committee, was in the possession of the Government, and readily obtainable by Major Gudgeon at tho time he made his report.”—G. M, Waterhouse, Chairman.”

Dr Newman intends to ask the Government if they will consult the Law Officers of the Crown on the question whether tho cost of snagging the Wanganui River, buying punts for this purpose, constructing a road from Pipiriki to Ohakune, and another from Moahanga to Turangariri, have been, rightfully charged against the North Island Main Trunk Loan ? If not, whether tha Government will refund this amount to the North Island Trunk Loan.

An inquiry is to be raised, Whether it is the case, as recently stated, that the services of a second officer do not count as “ officers’' services,” thus precluding his eligibility for examination as mate; and, if so, tho Government will be asked to alter or amend the law so as to remove the injustice to the seamen of the New Zealand merchant service ?

An amendment of the Police Offences Act, so as to allow discretionary power to a constable in the exercise of a search-warrant where a charge of larceny has been made, is about te be proposed, the police now claiming that where goods are found in possession they have no option but to arrest. It is alleged that innocent persons have snffered arrest through false charges of larcony having been preferred, and the amendment desired is that any one making a wrongful and malicious charge of larceny shall be prosecuted by the police, and, on conviction, adequately punished.

Some member wants to know what the million loan authorised this session, and the million balance of the North Island Main Trunk loan, realised to the Colony ; and whether the discounts on the tenders accepted for these loans are included in the amount of £159,729, under the Public Works Estimates, as expended, or estimated as required for the “charges and expenses of raising” the loan. A question on this head will be asked shortly.