POLITICAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4084, 23 June 1900, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS.

THE PREMIER’S HEALTH. A largely-attended gathering of Government supporters was held in the Whip’s room yesterday evening, when, at the invitation of ■Mr 0. H. Mills, the health of the Premier was drunk with much enthusiasm, aud with musical honours. The Premier, in reply, said he felt in capital health, his trip had clone him good, and ho felt that he was perfectly fit and ready for anything that might transpire. He advocated harmony and good-fellowship among members, irrespective of party, and earnestly hoped that the debates in the House would not bo degraded by personalities, and that there would be an elevation in the tone of the discussion. THE MINISTER OF LANDS. The Hon. J. McKenzie has sent, the following telegram to Mr Mills, the senior Government whip, in reply to that sent by' members to him on Thursday:—“Accept from Mrs McKenzie arid myself and family, and convey to the other forty-nine members of the House who forwarded the very kind telegram yesterday, our sincere thanks. I can hardly express to you the heartfelt feelings with which we received the very kind sympathy and good wishes expressed in the telegram, and 1 can only assure you it was appreciated by myself arid the whole family. It is very gratifying indeed to find from tho tone of the telegram that my existence as a Minister for the last nine years has been so -Highly appreciated by those who worked wun me.”

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. Members interested in railway matters have not lost any time in bringing their subject under the notice of Parliament. Mr Wiibcforcl was early in the field yesterday with the notice of a question to ask the Government to set up a committee to deal exclusively with the construction of main lines of railway and the extension of existing lines. He was closely followed by Mr Wilford, who gave notice to move for the setting up of a committee to report within one month on the cost of completing the Otago Central, Midland and S T orth Island Main Trunk railways, and the earliest date at which they can be opened' for traffic; the cost of acquiring the Manawatu line, the cost of sraightening the Hurt railway, and the cost of the proposed Rimutaka. deviation. He also proposes that the committee shall inquire into the total amount expended on the three main lines referred to, and the total amount paid in interest, on the moneys so expended, the number of years that those lines have been under construction, and the probable receipts ■ from and expenditure on them when they shall have been completed. Mr Stevens also had a tion' dealing with the same subject. His proposal was to, set up a committee for the purpose of discovering the amount of money still unexpended of the original sum borrowed for the construction of the North Island Trunk line, via the Central route; the length of line constructed,, its cost and productiveness, and the loss of interest to the colony on that portion of the line still uncompleted, the probable amount of settlement likely to take place along and near the line, and within, what time railway communication will be established between Auckland and Wellington. v MASTERTON COUNTY. The Masterton County Bill, of which Mr Hogg gave notice yesterday, proposes to establish a new county in the Wairarapa, to be called the Masterton County. The area from which the county is proposed to be created comprises the Masterton road district, and includes a large quantity of closely settled agricultural landjsituated around the borough of Masterton. The road district is included in the county of Wairarapa North, and the object of the promoters of the _Bill is to relieve the ratepayers from the burdens of a twofold system of local government and local rates. The only opposition likely to bo given to the Bill is from certain ratepayers who desire that the proposed country should bo extended as far as the coast, and it is understood that this proposal will be accepted. THE -OPPOSITION. i A,meeting of the Opposition was held yesterday afternoon, Mr Massey being in the chair. Considerable discussion took place as to the course which the Opposition should xnirsue, but the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday without any decision being arrived at. Jojl x iNGS. . , Some idea of the amount of business already appearing on the order paper may bo gained from the fact that yesterday members gave notice to ask fiftyeight questions, and to introduce thirtyseven Bills, in addition to which tliefe are nine notices ot motion. Two petitions -were presented yesterday by Mr George Fisher. One was from Messrs Whitehouse and Cook, asking for the payment to them of the sura of £IOO each, expenses incurred in bringing J. Myers back to the colony. Mr W. C. Fitzgerald, chemist, Wellington, again petitioned the House, through Mr Atkinson, for the balance of bis ex. penses in defending an action brought against him as public vaccinator.

Mr C. —Mills is to be senior Government .whip this session, and will be assisted by Mr J. Stevens (North Island) and Mr A. Morrison (South Island).

At a meeting of the Press Gallery yesterday afternoon. Mr A. Cohen (Dunedin “Star”) was elected chairman and Mr C. Earle (’“Evening Post”) vicechairman. Mr T. Morrison, who had held the position of chairman for no less than sixteen years, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his valuable services in that capacity. Mr Collins is bringing in a Bill for the abolition of capital punishment. It is understood that the usual preliminary caucus of the Ministerial party will be held on Tuesday forenoon.

The Ministerial proposals with respect to the Old Age Pensions Act will, it is said, take the shape of a provision to make these pensions a permanent charge upon the consolidated revenue, so that there will bo no necessity for periodical renewals of tho mesure.

jt is estimated that the new scheme of public school teachers’ salaries, along with the intended provision for techni-

; |cal education, will entail an f added ex- , I pendituro next year of £50,000. ' i A shrewd surmise may be made at tlio intended reform in Die system of choosing Chamber of Commcce. It is doubtless tho intention to place thes bodies on a thoroughly representative basis, by making them ejectm-t h> trio whole body of traders in the respectiv e districts, so that they may reflect tho opinions arid-attend to tho interests ol the entire commercial community. The attendance of members ol tno Legislative Council is so far not very largo. Sir George Whitmore, nho has been absent in the Old Country, had a cordial welcome from Ins lors on Thursday. Colonel litf took Iris scat yesterday, a session later than was intended. , , , T , , A suggestion is maido by the Palmerston “Standard” that some suitable publie recognition should bo made of Captain Russell's long. services to the colony as leader of the Opposition. It is pointed out that in order to get workable measures framed and honest administration practised there must bo criticism. It is absolutely necessary that there should be an Opposition, and there is not the slightest doubt that the leader of that body has rendered excellent'services in that, position; It is not supposed that Captain Russell would take monetary remuneration, but the writer would like to see s colonial recognition in a substantial form of Captain Rnssoll'.s self-sacrificing services, and thus show that the man who has fought the political battles of his country with dignity and honour is not forgotten.