POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6384, 29 July 1882, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

[By Telegraph.]

(from ouu own correspondent.)

Wellington, July 28th,

To-day's sitting has been noteworthy for tho disposal of the most serious stumbling-block in Minister?' way—the Native Reserves Bill. You may remember I explained recently that through the absence of a sufficiently distinct statement on the part of Government that the bill must be taken tis a Ministerial question, several Government supporters exercised their right of independent judgment, one of them even moving that tho bill be read that day six months. I also predicted that the bill would pass its second reading if a call was made on the party, but not otherwise. The result has come out according to my forecast. The events which have supervened since the debate was adjourned more than a month ago impelled Government to take a firm stand on the question, and having demonstrated their strength by recent defeats of the Opposition and forcing through Supply, it was determined to take, tho Native Reserves Bill to-day and call on the party to rally in its support. The result was that at 9 o'clock to-night a division was taken, which gave Ministers a majority of six. The only Ministerialist who voted with the "noes " was Mr Stevens, of Rangitikei, holds very strong opinions on the question. This was another signal triumph for the Government, and proved their ordinary majority to be eight at least. Mr.Pilliet and Mr J. Buchanan (Napier) both voted with Ministers. Another struggle, but a brief one, took place on the Leaseholders Qualification Bill, which Sir George Grey, although formerly a warm supporter of a similar measure, now turned round against and strenuously opposed. A still more signal defeat for him and his side was the upshot. Ministers securing an overwhelming majority. To-day's events have apparently given the coup de grace to the Opposition for this session.

Sir George Grey's bill for the imposition of a land tax in lieu of the property tax and customs was ruled out of order by the Speaker, on the ground that the consent of the Crown was necessary before private members could introduce a taxing bill. Sir G. Grey looked daggers and struggled hard, but the Speaker stood firm, and the bill was not allowed to be introduced.

The House is now in Committee on various Consolidation bills, which will occupy the rest of the night. The Public Petitions Committee report on the following^Otago petitions:—(l) Sargood aud others, of Dunedin: That the proposal of the Harbour Board to alter tho method of paying dues from tonnage to an ad valorem rate may not be given effect to. (2) Joseph Rogers and others : That Kingston Riding of Lake County may be included in Southland County. (3) Andrew Thompson, of Waikouaiti: That he be compensated for losses through Government not building a jetty in Waikouaiti Bay. The Committee in each case decline to recommend that the prayer be acceded to.

The Colonial Tresurer presented a return to-night showing the cost for the Colonial Government offices in London, forwarded by the Agent-general. The comparative totals are as follow:—Canada, £0093 ; New South Wales, £4250; Victoria, £-1775; South Australia, £4195; Queensland, £4533; New Zealand, £3395. Of these totals the Agents-general (or in case of Canada the High Commissioner) are paid as follows:—Canada, £2S0O; New South Wales, £2250; Victoria, £2000; South Australia, £1500 (and assistant, £500); Queensland, £1500; New Zealand, £1250. The Public Petitions Committee have declined to make any recommendation on the petition of the Dunedin Ereethoiight Association that no alteration be made in the present unsectarian system of education in public schools.

With reference to the petitions or the Licensed Victuallers' Association of Auckland, and of several other petitioners, who pray respectively—(l) That the Licensing Act may be amended; (2) that it may have a fair trial, and remain for a time unaltered ; (3) that it bo not amended ; (4) That it be amendod;—the Committee state that as the matter is under the consideration of the House, they deem it unnecessary to make any recommendation. The same Committee also reported to-day on petitions (1) of Auckland brewers, (2) of Otago brewers, (3) of Nelson brewers, all praying that the beer duty may be repealed. The Committee consider that as the question is one of public policy it would not be proper that they should make any recommendation to the House on the subject. That much-voxed question, the removal of the Native Land Court Offices from Auckland to Wellington, is the subject of a report from the Native Affairs Committee this evening. Mr J. A. Tolo and 403 others petitioned that the House would use its best endeavours to prevent the proposed removal from being carried out. The Committee decline to express any opinion, becauso the subject-matter of the petition must come up for discussion in Parliament. Tho Select Committee on the Trustees, Executors, and Agency Company's Bill report that they have considered the question of expediency, as directed by the House, and find-the same proved. TUo Councils of the Law Societies of Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland having petitioned Parliament not to pass section 9 of Sir Geovge Grey's Law Practitioners Bill, the Public Petitions Committee refuse to mako any recommendation, because the subject, is still under consideration of the Houso. An important return was presented to-night by the Minister for Public Works (it having been moved for by Sir J. Hall), showing the apportionment botweon tho respective Provincial Districts of tho aniuunt appropriated out of tho loan for tho last financial year. These amounts are as follow (shillings and pence omitted) :— Auckland .. .. .. £351,726 Hawke'sßav' „ .. 64,978 WolliiiL'ton'.. .. .. 18i,C2Q Tuanaki . .. l^.9»ft Canterbury.. .. .. »S Oil WoatlUfi I >. (6,l'iif ob«o ». li •• ss°i7o3

Ths following was the respective expenditure during the year : — Auckland .. .. .. £201,204 Hawke's Bay 16,352 Wellington.. .. .. 84,335 I Taranakl .. .. .. 82,054 Nelson .. .. .. 29,045 Itarlborou^li .. .. 14,592 Canterbury.. .. .. 124,423 Weutland .. .. .. 03,424 Otago .. .. .. 181,761 The liabilities on 31st March were :— Auckland .. .. ..£ 93,135 Hawko's Bay .. .. 20,270 Wellington.. .. .. 0 |,231 Tai'Aiiaki .. .. .. 29,080 Nelson .. .. „ 30,775 Jlailborcugli .. .. 12,792 Canterbury.. .. .. B8 7(19 We. Baud .. .. .. 16,632 Otago .. .. .. 187,719 Some of Mr Pilliet's constituents wrote to him remonstrating with him for having given in his adhesion to the Government, whereupon he replied:—" The Opposition is in a lamentably disorganised state. Of cohesion there is none. There is no leader, although it is incontestable that Grey holds the game in his own hands, and that no Ministry could just now be formed without him being its head. Ho has a following of 23 men; then comes Macandrew, with the Otago contingent. Montgomery is temporarily utilised as a figure-head. The other day Grey's Constitution Bill, which had been on the order-paper for weeks past, came for second reading. Most of the Opposition looked upon it as an outrageous piece of lunacy, one of Grey's many meaningless eccentricities: why, it meant, if carried, the greatest possible political convulsion. I determined to oppose it tooth and nail from the outset, and declared so. And, of course, when the question of adjournment was put to division^ I voted to squash the measure. Would you believe it, but the Opposition desire to turn the Government out without having even agreed among themselves as to who should be who, and as to what cardinal points of policy should guide them. A leading member told me that should they succeed to turn the Government out 'they would ballot among themselves for the portfolios !' Now this is an unwarrantable way of doing things, inasmuch aa the new Ministry would not stand for a single week, and the other side would re-enter with flying colours stronger than ever. ■ It is not my intention of making a fool of myself. What is worth doing is worth doing well, Wait until we can form a compact, cohesive, and well-assimilated party, cemented together on main questions, and let that party be led by a unanimously recognised leader, then I shall move mountains and earth to dislodge the present Administration."

(Per United PresS Association.) Christchubch, July 28th. The electors of Stanmore are getting up a requisition to Mr Pilliet to resign.