POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8446, 23 July 1888, Page 4

POLITICAL NOTES.

The principal amendment suggested by the Native Bills Committee is one in the Native Laud Bill, and is to the effect that taxation of Native lands shall not be levied until the Ist January, 1891, and then not on land the title of which has not been determined by the Native Land Court, if application has been made to the Court for investigation of title.

A deputation waited on the Colonial Secretary on Saturday, consisting of the Mayors of Wellington aud Dunedin, and Messrs Fish, Stewart, Allen, Eos?, and Stewart, M.H.R.’s, The deputation had a long interview with the Minister with reference to the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill, urging him in particular to strike out of the Bill the clause providing for separate bank accounts. The Colonial Secretary said he did not think the Bill was likely to be passed this session, but the matters mentioned as suggestions from the Wellington City Council would bs carefully considered by the Government, and an answer given as soon as possible.

The Government have received information of an outbreak of scab in the Auckland province, 14 miles from the locality of the last outbreak.

The fact that the Imperial Government has appointed one of the Inspectors of Her Majesty's schools to be a British Commissioner to the Education Court at the Melbourne Exhibition is shortly to bs brought under the notice of the Government by Mr Joyce, who is going to ask if the Govern, meut will appoint an official of our public schools as a New Zealand Commissioner to the same Court.

It is suggested that the Government shall, during the recess, devise some scheme whereby returns can be obtained periodically by which Parliament and the country generally can ascertain the benefits or otherwise which may accrue in the following directions from the adoption of the present tariff : (I) Increase (or decrease) of the number of hands employed in local manufactories ; (2) increase (or decrease) of prices to the consumer of artio’es upon which extra protective duties have been imposed ; (8) increase (or decrease) in rates of wages current in local manufactories since the adoption of the tariff; (4) increase (or decrease) in amount collected by Customs Department on articles which are partially manufactured in the Colony ? This idea is to be brought forward by Mr Cadraan.

Mr Izard is going to ask the Premier, (I) Whether any ami (if aay) what steps have been taken under the Representation Act Amendment Act, 1887, toward ascertaining the boundaries of the new electoral districts into which the Colony is to be divided ? (2 Whether, if no such steps have been taken, the Government will cause the matter to be put in hand during the approaching recess ? (3) Whether the Governm-nt will, at the commencement of the next session of Parliament, lay before the House the proposed boundaries of the new electoral divisions, and give this House an opportunity of discussing the same ? Q.