POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVII, Issue 5317, 4 July 1892, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(by telegraph.) (from our ow correspondent) Wellington, July 2. Ifc is stated that the Government will meet the proposal next week to expunge from the records of the House the resolution of censure on Mr Bryce by including i other members of the House not now in the colony, such as Sir Julius Vogel and [ Mr Gisborne. The Premier has drafted a resolution on the subject which will be considered by the Cabinet. Mr W. M'Lean presided to-night at the , meeting at the Salvation Army barracks on the question of compensation to publicans deprived of licenses. The Minister of Education states that the Manual Instruction Bill, as modified by suggestions from the Boards of Educa tion, will be circulated shortly. He proposes allowing 25 to 50 per cent increased subsidy for country classes as against those in towns. It is understood that Dr Pollen and Sir P. A. Buckley have been asked to accept the Speakership of the Legislative Council, and that both have declined the honor. Some nine or ten other members are understood to be aspirants to the chair, and it is very difficult to say on whom the ultimate choice will rest. The election, which is expected to be by ballot, will take place on Friday next. The Criminal Code Bill, thrown out last session, will be re-introduced this year, but will be originated in the House instead of in the Council. Its provisions are practically the same as before, but the severity of some of the penalties has been mitigated, in order to meet the views of the House. The Libel Bill, introduced into the Council by Mr Buckley, is substantially the same measure as that which failed to pass last year. It proposes to assimilate the law of New Zealand to that of England on the law of slander and libel. The advantage of such assimilations is that English decisions can be used to settle questions of interpretation, etc., but many think that the Queensland law for defamation, which was embodied in another Bill introduced in the House last year, is a much more likely measure, and much more in the interests of the liberty of the Press. However, journalists will be very thankful if either Bill passes, as a vast improvement on the existing law will have been effected. Wellington, July 4. The Bankruptcy Bill just circulated, contains 171 sections. Provision is made for offences under the Act being tried summarily by Justices, with potfer to inflict six months' imprisonment. Aliens and married women are brought under the operation of this Act. The revenue for the colony for the first quarter will show a very prosperous state of affairs. The Customs returns are better than those of 1890 or 1891, and the railway receipts arc highly satisfactory. The whole revenue is expected to show a large increase on the corresponding quarter of last year. The Premier promised a deputation of the Auckland and Tarauaki members today that he would advise the Cabinet to set up a Committee to inquire into, and consider new evidence and decide between the Central and Stratford routes for the North Island Trunk Railway. One member of the deputation urged work on the railway to be vigorously prosecuted, but others deprecated anything necessitating a loan. The railway agitation is not confined to the North Island, as I hear a strong deputation of Southern members is being formed to ascertain the intentions of the Government with reference to the Otago Central. This deputation will wait on the Premier to-morrow or some other day this week. The Postmaster-General, in response to an application by Mr Meredith, is considering the advisability of extending the telegraphic communication from Culverden' to Hanmer Plains hot springs. The Licensed Victuallers Compensation Bill is not yet circulated, and Mr Meredith is asking to have the second reading delayed for a week or ten days in order to allow the public to express an opinion regarding it. Of 76 men who found work last week through the Wellington office of the labor bureau, the greater portion were from the South Island. Nearly all are employed at bush falling for private employers. Mr Taylor this morning waited on Mr M'Kerrow, Chief Commissioner of Railways, in pursuance of a promise made to the railway workers at Christchurcli, to ascertain if the Commissioners would grant employees leave of absence to attend the proposed Conference to consider the pension scheme and other important matters. The Commissioner plied that he understood the Government intended to introduce this, session an insurance Bill dealing with railway employees only. Till that is dealt with he cannot see his way to grant leave of absence, as the conference would be unrip.np.ssarv.