POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

Oamaru Mail, Volume XV, Issue 4723, 18 July 1890, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

(BT TOLEORATH.) (rSOU OUB OWS CORKESPOSDEST) Weixlsotos, July 17. Ministers bavo no intention of pressing on tbe Libor Bills no* before Parliament ootll some cooslderable progress has been made with tbe Eitimates. I: bas been ascertained by the Government (who were questioaid on the subject l>y Mr Fisher to-day) that tbe proposed New Zealand Exhibition in London wonld cost 6ve or six times as much sa M. Jonbcrt, tbe originator of tbe schema, had estimated. Ministers coald not, therefore, recommend that each an Exblbition be held.

In view of tbefrequant Interruptions of tbe cable lines tbrongb tbe eastern archipelago, a statement of tbe position of the Pacific cable schemp, ss eiren by tbe Postmaater.Geueral to Mr Hobbs yesterday, will be of special interest. Tbe hon. gentleman said that the Government bad received no direct communication from tbe Pacific Cable Company, bat one of the directors of tbe Gompiny visited this colony about. 18 months sgo and had on interview with the Premier. It seemed that tbe Company bad been fcrmed, bat the Government had no it. formation aa to whether or not its capital had befn folly subscribed. Tbo Imperial Government bad gone to very great expense in sending steamers to take soundings between Australia and Vancoaver Island. As far as tbe Government knew it was proposed to go on with tbe raork if tbe Aostra'ian colonies granted an annual subsidy of L 75.000, of which New Zealand's share would be L 7500. Tbe Government recognised the desirableness of joining In a subsidy to tbe cible, and, as soon as soy proposal was received from the Company, they would bring tbe matter before tbo House.

Langworm Is causing great mortality I amongst sheep and cattle In the North Island, and Mr Bochaoan Is nrging the Government to examine into and report apon the plague. Mr Verrall'a experience baa taught him to regard solicitors and barristers as undesirable members of Parliament', and he has introduced a BUI providing that professional gentlemen in practice within a year before any general or casual election shall be disqualified from becoming a candidate. Mrlzird la urging the Government to reintroduce the Newspaper Law of Libel Bill, which they brought before the House last session. Mr Joyce asked the Government to-day for an explanation of the circumstances aoder which Mr George L»lia waß appointed to the posi:ion of assistantactuary to the Government Insurance Department. The hon. gentleman said it was understood, nntii a few months ago, that Mr Leslie was an unsuccessful draper In Donedin, and there was a considerable amount of dissatisfaction lu the department at bis being so quxkly promoted over the heads of officers of lone: standing tborongb experience. The Hon, Mr Mitchelson said it was not true that Mr Ljslle had been placed over officers who were better fisted to occupy his position. He was specially chosen by the late Commisiioner, Mr JFnnklaod, because he bad a special knowledge of actuarial work, gained in pr*paring statistics and making valuations of friendly societies, though he was not experienced in insurance matters. Several members commented, In the course of a discussion in the House tbis afternoon, on the meazre display of minerals made by New Zaaland at the Danedin and Melbourne Exhibitions, and recommended the Government to take steps to form a permaoeat collection to be seot to exhibitions, as Is the case in New South Wales. The Minister of Mines slated that the Department had already taken action in the direction indicated, and that the Government would be ready to purchase good specimens for the purpose at their full value.