SPECIAL TELEGRAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7191, 4 March 1885, Page 3

SPECIAL TELEGRAM.

(IBOM OUB OWN COBBESFONDENT.I . Wellington, March 3. Ministers have been in Cabinet during the whole of yesterday afternoon and this morning, although the business transacted has been little more than of a routine character. Of thiß kind of work there was a great accumulation, owing to the lengthened absence of Ministers—sufficient to have occupied the remainder of to-day, in fact, —and no doubt the Cabinet sitting would have extended over the afternoon had it not been that Sir J. Vogel was anxious to attend the ordinary meeting of the Government Insurance Association Board. Speaking of boards reminds me that no more railway boards of inquiry have as yet been constituted, and I am of opinion that few, if any, beyond those already constituted by way of experiment will be set up, I do not say absolutely that no more will be appointed, but it is not improbable that it will be found that those already in existence have had the effect of checking complaints and the recital of often fancied grievances, and that it may be found unnecessary to set up any more boards, Referring to a sort of promise made by Sir J. Vogel in his Auckland speech, I may say that I am strongly of opinion that the Cabinet is adverse to the proposal for the convention of the various county chairmen of the Colony to consider the much-vexed question of local government. The feeling that such a step would seem to indicate the fear of Government to deal with the question, and to shift responsibility to the shoulders of county chairmen, is shared by several of tha Ministers, who also urge that tha members of the Government, most of whom have had years of political experience, should be as well able to deal with the question. It is further admitted that the whole question is one of pounds, shillings, and pence, | and urged, therefore, that it is more fitting to be dealt with by Parliament. Of course, in the event of a convention being held, it would be merely for the purpose of discussing the question, and it is urged that no practical good result could follow. In truth, the one result from Buch a discussion could only end in confusion worse confounded. I have reason to believe, therefore, that the proposed convention will end in smoke, and that the Government will get their scheme for local government into the shape of a draft bill, submit their proposals to the House at as early a date as possible, and if necessary appeal to the country on those proposals. There seems nothing at present to indicate that Parliament will be summoned for the despatch of business either earlier or later than the usual time, about the beginning of June.