POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 4460, 29 August 1889, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

(FROM OtTR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, August 28. Mr R. Thompson wants the Government to introduce a Bill next session dealing with the question of the Income Tax. Mr Merchant Is urgirg the Government to have a book on practical farming compiled for use in public schools. Mr Carroll is moving in the direction of remitting the Property Tax on all land planted with forest trees, with a view to the erouragemcnt of forestry. Mr Seddon wants the Government to make inquiries during the receae for the purpose of ascertaining the possibility of abolishing the Beer Duties Act. At a recent meeting of the Central Board cf Health, Melbourne, some reports on leproey were read, in which it appeared that New Zealand was one of the worst fffl ; cted countries in the world. Mr Joyce is directing the Premier's attention to this statement, and wants him to deny it officially. In consequence of the decision of the Committee that Mr Hislop should be allowed to put in a written statement iD reply to the memorandum of Judge Ward, the report of the Ward-Chrleti9 Committee (Legislative Council) is not likely to be brought up before Friday. The report of the Public Petitions today on the Christie petition jns'ifiss me in my anticipations of several days ago that the result of the inquiry Instituted by the Legislative Council will be favorable to Judge Ward. Mr Feldwick Intends to ask the Post-master-General if he will amend the postal regulations so as to allow the valuation and rate notices of local bodieß to pass through the post in open envelopes as circnltrs at the id rato. Mr Valentine has given notice to ask th 9 Government whether they think the time has not arrived when the rate of interest to be charged on dishonored bills, judgments, etc., should be reduced to 5 or 6 per cent., tnd, if so, will they take any steps to have an alteration made accordingly in the law relating thereto? Replying to Mr Fish to-day, the Premier said he would try to pass the Workmen's Lien Bill this session. Mr Fisher moved the adj iurnment of the House this afternoon, in order to explain what action he had taken as Commissioner of Customs in the direction of instituting proceedings against Bing, Harris, and Co. for alleged frauds on the Customs revenue. The burden of his complaint was that, although he was Minister in charge of the department, he could not get the officials to move in the matter. The Premier followed, and also gave a full history of the case, cf which everyone must now be heartily sick. He stated that the Government had not dropped the matter, bat had the question of further proceedings still under consideration. The Goldfields Committee have made another report on the Komara sludge channel, much to the Bamo tffect as the previous report. If a board iB appointed to control the investment of trust funds, a detailed statement of their transactions ia to be presented to Parliament each year. A curious petition was recently presented to the House by Messrs Hungerford and M'Kiy, of Greymouth, for relief for 1 isses sustained by them to the amount of L 2480 through their works at the breakwater being demolished by the steamer Gerda. The Public Petitions Committee to-day report that the claim will be equitably met if the Government will contribute towards their 1038 the sum of LIOOO. Mr Shrim3ki moved the adjournment of the Legislative Council this afternoon to complain that his speech in support of the presentation of a congratulatory address to hiß Excellency the Governor on the convalescence of Lord Cranley had not been reported. Some surprise was expressed by members at Buch a thing and the matter dropped. The Eating Act Amendment Bill proposes to exempt from rates lands and buildings used for the purpose of schools not carried on for gun, or profit, also to exempt lands and buildings, the freehold property of any registered Friendly Society, if uaed exclusively for Lodge purposes. The Chattel Transfer Bill having been read a third time, a number of Orders of the Day in which tha Premier was interested were postponed, as, through indisposition, the Premier was not able to be in his place to-night. The House then went into Committee of Supply on the Estimates. At half-past one the Committee ia still on the Education Estimates, and, although four hours have passed since the Estimates were introduced, only one vote has passed. August 29. The Education Estimates were under consideration until S a.m. A great deal of dlscusßion took place about the allocation of the buildings votp, and the management of native schools. Complaint was made that the Government had not carried out their pledge to place the latter under the control of Education Boards. The Mlelster of Education undertook to transfer to the Boards such schools as it was advisable to bo treat. A motion was carried by 18 to 17 directing the Government to give effect to this scheme. Ultimately the total vote of L 369,382 was passed, subject to LSO reduction. The New Zealand Parliamentary Rifle team fired off their Intercolonial Parlia- ! mentary R : fle Match at an ealry hour this morning. The total score made at the three ranges, 400, 500, 600 yards, seven Bhota at each range, was 4SB, and the individual scoring waa ssfollows:—Anderson, 88; Verrall, 74; Hamlin. 72; Duncan, 71; Rhodes, 67 ; Brace, 60; Carrol, 56.