Political Gossip.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 6046, 11 September 1894, Page 1

Political Gossip.

(by telegraph.) (from our own correspondent. ) Wellington. September 10. The Stamp Acts Amendment Bill, introduced by Mr Reeves, provides an amended scale of rates of duty on policies for sea insurance, which is as follows : —3d for every policy for LIOO or part of LIOO ; for every time policy, 3d for any time not exceeding six months, and 6d for any time exceeding six and not more than twelve months. The Bill also provides that any transfer, conveyance, or demise of native land shall be assessed for ad valorem duty in respect to the aggregate amount of the sums of money paid, and that every deed of assignment providing, or purporting to provide, in any way for the distribution of property among the creditors of a person executing a deed for the purposes of obtaining a release of debts due by him to them, shall be liable to a stamp duty of L 5. The following Bills were introduced by the Colonial Treasurer last night, and read a first time :—The Government Advances to Settlers; Foreign Insurance Company Deposits ; Stamp Act Amendment, and Hastings Borough Loan Validation and Empowering. Mr G. Hutchison proposed the second reading of the Town Districts Bill, which enables the functions of local government to be extended to all towns. The Premier condemned the measure, and considered it a most dangerous one. He urged that it should be delayed till a measure dealing with local Government was introduced. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. The Coroners' Inquest Bill, providing for the payment of coroners' juries, introduced by Mayor Steward, was read a second time, The second reading of the Native Rights Bill was proposed by Mr Hone Heke in an excellent and fluent speech. The Bill proposes to give a separate constitution to the native race. Some discussion ensued. Sir Robert Stout, though considering that the Bill asked for too much, thought that the natives should have a greater say in the management of their lands. When the House resumed after supper there was not a quorum present, and a count out took place at 11 o'clock. A rifle match between five members of Parliament representing the North and five representing the South Island was won by the former by 29 points. The Hon. Mr Jennings, with 66, was the highest scorer for the winners, and Mr Allen headed the list for the South.