POLITICAL NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10617, 12 March 1896, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES

(Per United Pbess Association.)

Wellinqtok, March 11,

Three of the Ministers at preaent in Wellington leave here to-morrow. The Premier goes to thoWestOoaston a visit, which will probably extend over two or three weeks. . The Minister for Lands will pay his pvomised visit to the north; calling first at Gisborne, and the Minister for Railways proceeds to Lyttelton on departmental business. The Hon. Mr Cadman, who will 1)9 accompanied by Mr Ronayne, will probably return hero about the end of the weak. . . . .

The Minister for Lands has had under consideration a proposal for a large agricultural show to be held in tho different centres eacli year, and to bo subsidised by tho Government; After full consideration the Hon. Mr M'Kenzio finds the proposal impracticable on account of the geographical difficulties and the rivalries of existing shows). It is believed that the only way of overcoming the obstacles is for the show promoters to arrange for a metropolitan show amoDg themselves, changing the sits .esch year.

With reference to Judga Barton's statsmeut at the Gisborna Validation Court concerning the deduction of £28 from his travelling allowance for January, the New Zealand Times officially ntateß that the payment stopped was not salary, hut merely a proportion of travelling expenses while the judge wag absent from the colony. This is following the regular rale. The Hon. Mr Carroll's statement that he would resigu had reference to Judge Barton being appointed to administer the act and nothing else. The judge wrote that unless the money waa forwarded he would not opon the court, and the Government informed him th.it if ha persisted in his refusal they would take legal steps. Judge Gudgeon has been acting in Judgß B.uton's place, and will be asked to con throe if the latter maintains his attitude.

Under t.he Imperial treaty with Japan the colonies have till August next to consider whether they will join in it. The Cabinet, after discussing the question, referred it to the Minister for Labour to obtain more information.

The action of the Wellington Licensing Committee ia granting a transfer of the Waverley Hotel .to Newton is to ba referred to the law officers of the Crown to determine ita legality.

Application has been made to the Government by Mr Lorjg for a bonus for the manufacture of felt ftoni eowliair. Ministers hava refused the request, on the ground that there is no appropriation by Parliament for tho purpose.