Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 7779, 11 May 1886, Page 2

According to the Usual, ruriioura on the eve of a session, the Speech froth the Throne is to be Of moderate, length, and is to set forth clearly add distinctly the Ministerial progranlnla for the session. We shall see on Thursday;

Among the drat btisiriess submitted to Parliament will be, according to present intentions', the Native Land Admiristration Bill (formerly the Native Land Disposition Bill), and a Bill for Consolidating and amending the laws relating to municipal corporations. The latter is referred to more fully elsewhere.

It is understood that the Government are very desirous of avoiding', So tar ns possible, aiiy gbperil dvernaiil of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act as to its main features and principles. Ministers purpose only, we believe, to introduce a Bill to rectify various errors of detail which crept in owing to the confusion in which the measure became ultimately involved during the troublous times it encountered in its passage through both Houses last year. The various little hitches and incongruities which practical experience in the working of the Act has proved to exist will be rectified so far as possible, but no such question as the amalgamation of the administrative bodies so as to reduce the present number of often conflicting authorities will be attempted. The Government are understood to be opposed to the idea of vesting the administration in the Borough and County Councils, on the ground that these are virtually elected on a property qualification, which in their opinion should not be a condition entertained in regard to the administration of such Hospitals and charitable relief matters. The separate Boards will, therefore, not be interfered with by the Government, but it is feared that if once the vexed question of charitable aid gets again on the floor of the House there is every likehood of all the members trying their hands at improving it still further, and in that case it would be impossible to foresee the final outcome. The upshot is that Ministers will handle the difficult and dangerous subject as “gingerly ” as possible, and will not meddle With the Act any more than they can help. It is rumoured, however, that several private members are bringing up perfect sheaves of amendments which they intend to press on the consideration of the House, so it is hard to say what will be the fate of the question. So far no definite or satisfactory alternative scheme has been mooted, and we shall not be greatly surprised if the Act comes out of the fire without having undergone any Very material change.

Much curiosity has been felt and expressed as to the probable action of the Government relative to the important and difficult question of the readjustment of representation, the present Act expiring next year. The fragmentary census returns already in seem to point conclusively to the claim of the North Island to an increased share of representation, while on the principle so resolutely insisted on by the South a few years ago, that part of the Colony would lose some of its members. Itis understood, however, that no final decision has yet been arrived at by the Government as to introduction of a new Representation Bill. We believe the Government hold that they ought to be in possession of the full census returns before dealing with this measure, as until these are available, it is impossible to ascertain definitely what shape the readjustment of representation ought to take. So far, the census returns are considered to show that the North Island is entitled to more members than at present, and the South Island to fewer, but it is thought possible that closer scrutiny and more detailed analysis may elicit that the disparity in progress is not so marked as it would appear from the returns hitherto published. It is generally believed that the subject will not be touched this session, but that possibly another session of the existing Parliament may be held, as it does not expire by effluxion of time until August, 1887. A rumour is afloat, however, that the Government will ask Parliament to pass a short Bill extending the operation of the present Representation Act for three months so as to avert any risk of the Act expiring while Parliament might be in session next year. Another rumour is that next year’s general election will take place under the present Representation Act. Seme of the North Island members are already concerting measures in case this should be contemplated, and strenuous efforts will be made to force a readjustment before another election takes place, even if the forma of the House have to be strained to the utmost in the endeavour. But although all this is freely talked about, we have not the slightest reason to suppose that an attempt will be made tojhold the election under the present representation if the election comes on in the ordinary course. On the other hand, should an appeal to the country be necessitated during the coming session, that would alter the aspect of affairs, and in that case, probably, the election would necessarily be held on the present basis. It is thought likely that recognition of this necessity will possibly render the North Island members somewhat chary of precipitating an appeal which would deprive them of the advantages they expect to derive from the large increase in population believed to have been general in this Island during the last five years as compared with the other Island. The question of amalgamating the various city constituencies, so as to secure greater “solidarity” of representation for each large city, will have to share the fate of the rest of the Representation Readjustment Question. The Premier is known to bo warmly in favor of the proposed amalgamation, which has always been earnestly desired in Wellington, where the subdivision of this city was deeply resented ; but it is thought improbable that it will be taken in hand separately from the main business of readjustment, as the latter must inevitably be faced at no distant date.

A communication was received by Mr Ballauce to-day from Tawhiao, intimating his intention of visiting Wellington during the present session. Tawhiao was to start immediately. He has not yet made up his mind as to accepting or declining a seat in the Legislative Council, but it is thought he will ultimately accept it. We understand that during his recent visit to the North, Mr Ballance was very successful in his efforts to obtain land on the North Island Trunk Railway, and that an area of some 400,000 acres will, in all probability, be secured ere long ; indeed, a large proportion of it is already rendered practically safe.

It is rumored that the Attorney-General will introduce a new Divorce Bill during the approaching session, and that its effect will bo to place a wife on the same footing as tho husband in suing for a divorce. That is to say a wife wiH be enabled to petition for a divorce on the

ground of adultery alotio, unattended by cruelty or desertion. |t is said, further, that the Sill Mil sanction dissolution of marriage ip case of,the hopeless lunacy of' one of the parties, or in the event of conviction for felony and sentence to a lengthened term of imprisonment, desertion also being included as a ground of divorce. Some of these provisions are certain to be alrehUbUsly resisted, as tending to weaken the Sanctity of the marriage tie, also &k operating dangerously ind 6jpp>eesiv'cly In the case of a person unjustly tonvioted and subsequently tel.eioed ; further, as holding out a btemimn to designing persons to undo repugnant matrimonial bonds. The unanimity of the Cabinet even on this point is doubted, and it is thought to be not improbable that we may see Ministers voting in different lobbies when the division is taken on the Bill.

The latest telegram received by the Government from the Agent-General touching the New Zealand Midland Railway Scheme Corroborates the favourable account of its progress given la the Press cable messages. The shares are stated to be going off very satisfactorily, and the prospects of the undertaking are considered to be excellent.

We Understand that among the earliest papers presented to Parliament, Will be sortie Voluminous correspondence relative to the negotiations about New Guinea, New Hebrides, Samoa, &c. ; also about Australasian Federation.

The fddndering of the world-rondwned twenty-knot Steariishlj) dregon seems to have been as inexplicable and mysterious an affair as some of oUr New Zealand marine disasters. The Australian Times, referring to the affair, states that according to the accounts given by the captain and officers of the steamer, the Oregon was rim into by a schooner about 3 o’clock in the niorning; the schooner at oboe disappearing, preaiiniably sinking ; bilt the Oregon kept afloat seven hours, and all her pasaengers and crows, nearly 1000 souls, were transferred to other vessels and safely landed. None of the luggage or cargo was saved, and many of the mail bags were lost. No signs of the schooner have yet been found, and it is hinted that the Oregon was not in collision at all, and that the real cause of the disaster, was an explosion, possibly the result of dynamite. The vessel has been examined by divers, and it is reported that she has broken in two, a fact which lends colour to the explosion theory. The Canard Company, however, still adheres to the statement about the collision, and until the official inquiry takes place the mystery will not be cleared up.

IT is believed that no amendment of the Licensing Act will be initiated by the Government this session. The subject is a delicate and dangerous one to meddle with, and if once the work of tinkering the Licensing Act begins, nobody can conjecture where it will end, or in what shape it will leave the law on that troublesome question. But we understand that certain private members are likely to be less cautious.