POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9512, 22 August 1892, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(l'noM Odd Own Oobukspondent.) Wellington, August 21. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I The Premier Buys that there is not the slightest ground for the argument that the i course taken by the Ministry in referring the difference with the Governor to tho Secretary of Hli:itc whs unnonstitutional. He points out I that the Secretary of State comes into our legislation everywhere, for every bill passed by the New Zealand Parliament must be sent Home for the Queen's assent. Mr liallanee says that there is no ground for the statement that a Government supporter will propose a motion approving of the action of the Ministry. The Government, however, are quite ready to meet the attack which is to be made upon them, and will give an opportunity for it by moving Committee of Supply as the first order of tho day on Tuesday. The debate on Tuesday is expected to be somewhat protracted, lasting two or three days at least. I hear many members are "cramming" hard with constitutional law, and practice, and precedents, and that a really noteworthy discussion may be looked for. Among the principal speakers will, 1 believe, be Mr liolleston (of course), Kir J. Hall, Captain Kussell, Messrs 8eo!»ie Mackenzie, G. Hutchison, Fish, I'isher, Allen, and T. Mackenzie on the Opposition side. Tho Opposition have no present intention at proposing any specific motion as an amendment to supply, such for installed as one condemning the action of Ministers in this matter, because that would necessitate it being taken as a want-of-conlidence motion, which would be discussed merely from a party standpoint. The Opposition are anxious (as I telegraphed on Friday) to keep the debate clear of party considerations, but I learn that Sir George Grey intends to intervene, and will probably propose some amendment to the effect: (1) That the House should present an address to the Imperial Government praying that, with reference to the question remitted to the Secretary of State by the Governor and his Ministers, the Colonial Office will not intervene in a matter which affects the concessions to a self-governing colony; (2) declaring that in referring such a question to the Secretary oF State Ministers acted in an unconstitutional manner, derogatory to the dignity of a colony possessing constitutional government. I cannot vouch for the precise wording of the amendment—if, itideed, this be yet determined—but I give it .as stated to me. The Government's intention is that Sir George Grey shall he allowed to lead off with this amendment, but this is deprecated by others ou the ground that it involves a no-confidence debate from the offset, and that it would be better to have several speeches first, and for Sir Geo. Grey to come iv towards tho close of the debate, and if it is passible this may be dove, if Sir George will consent to wait. If he insists on moving at once, and a division takes place, it is considered certain that the Government will win by 14- or 15, only Sir George himself and Mr Shera voting with the Opposition.

THE STOCK BILL. With referenco to this bill, and the ill-fated clause 48, regarding which the Government suffered a reverse yesterday afternoon, leave to introduce it being refused, it appears that besides the new tax of 2d per head on cattle the - clause included the sheep tax already in existence, from which a revenue of L 16,000 a year is obtained. As the Government cannot afford to dispense with this they intend to bring the clause forward when the bill is in committee. It may not then include the cattle tax, since that was proposed at the- request of stockowners, and not at the instance of the Government themselves, who do' not want it for revenue