POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1341, 11 August 1877, Page 9

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

[By Telegraph.]

(FBOSI ODE OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, August 2nd. A movement is on foot for a union between the Otago and Auckland Centralists and portion of the Canterbury members to oust the present Ministry, on an agreement that the question of Separation is not to be raised, that the land fund is to be generalised, and that the administration is to be improved l . It is said that Mr Stafford has intimated his intention of supporting the generalisation of the land fund, and that this ia certain to be carried.

The overtures to Sir William Fitzherbert to quit the chair and take the lead of the Opposition have been resumed, and if ?. sufficiently strong party can be formed there is little doubt he will comply. ' The estimates are out. There are very few increase* in salaries, the principal being LSO to the Secretary for Stamps, L2OO to the Colonial Architect, LIOO to tne Under Secretary for Crown Lands, L 25 for new appointmeat of Record Clerk to Inspector of Lunatic Asylums, LSO to Under Secretary for Justice, LSO to Secretary for Post Oifices, LIOO to Postmaster, Wellington, L3sofor new appointment of Inspector of Lighthouses. The Education estimates, total, L 135.000, including L 120,000 for grant to Board on an average attendance of 40,000 at L 3 103 ; L 140.000, less L 20.000 revenue from reserves. The Secretary is to have L 60 0; for Normal Schools the vote is L6OOO, and salaries of Inspectors, L3OOO. The vote for prize 3 for Colonial Rifle shooting, passages of competitors, etc., is altogether omitted. In miscellaneous, there is no vote proposed for the maintenance of the Govertment steamers. L(3O id down for specimens of New Zealand woods at Kew Mu3cum, and L 175 for travelling expenses of the Resident Magistrate between Waikouaiti and Palncerston, from 1367 to 1870. A vote of L3OOO is set down as honorarium to Sir Julius Vogel for services in England, and LIOO for a work on New Zealand grasses. Grants to Counties, Road Boards, and Boroughs are set down at L130,G00. From the Land Fund in Canterbury there is a L 250 grant in aid to Girls' High School; LlO5 honorarium to Sir P. Julyan for services in connection with Sinking Fund of Canterbury loans ; L 450 as yearly subsidy to Scho jI of Mines and Models. In Otago, School of Mines, L 50 0; to make good vote of Provincial Council for same, L 50 0; grants to Counties, Road and River Boards, L 30,000. t Mr Sheehan has presented a petition from Mr J. J. Wilson, of Poverty Bay, complaining of his illegal dismissal by Native Department, and asking redress.

August 3rd. Mesars Gisbarno, Sir G. Grey, Shoehaa, Montgomery, Bunny, Travors, Macandrew, Stout, aad other leading members have agreed oa a cotninoa platform, which is to the following effect : — Ist. That the waste lands of tho Colony should be developed by the Stats, and then sold, and not sold in blocks to be afterwards developed by State funds ; 2ad. That Customs taxation on necessities of ordinary consumption should b3 relieved; 3rd. Th*t property should not bs improved by expenditure out of borrowed money, but by local taxation ; 4fch. That hospitals should be supported by contributions from State aided by local endowments ; sth. That separation be abandoned. They have communicated these to Sir W. Fitzherbert, and asked him to lead a party formed on this basis. He has not yet replied, but will csrtainly accept if the support is sufficient to ensure success. There is no likelihood of Mr Stafford taking the Agent-Generalship. He is going Home for a couple of yeara at the end of the session, but for purely family reasons, and although several members have expressed a desire for him to take the Ageui- Generalship, he has not only never sought it, but would not take it.

August 6th. The Government will, it is said, accept the principle of Mr Woclcock's motion, seeing it is hopeless to oppose it. They will, however, plead the impossibility of giving effect to it this year, and ask for the recess to prepare a mea-

sure. If they opposed it, they would be beaten.

The Government do not intend to make the Native Lands Bill a Ministerial measure, but will agree to accept modifications in Committee.

We are indebted to the Evening Star of yesterday for the following item :— ' ' Messrs Reeves and Roberts, the deputation from Dunedin, this afternoon met fifteen Otago members to ascertain the amount of support the Strathtaieri line would receive, and to ask them to back up the efforts of the deputation with the Government. At first, a difference of opinion existed as to the rival routes, which, before the meeting closed, settled down to support the Strathtaieri, not as an alternative line, but with the vievr of also asking for a railway up the Waitaki Valley, to open up the Mackenzie country. The general debire is to open up the interior by arterial lines of railway. Great cordiality finally prevailed, thongh at first the Oamaru members exhibited jealous feelings. Mr Macandrew, as chairman, urged unity ef action in railway matters, which wa<? agreed to, Dr Hodgkinson alone dissenting."

August 7th. Messrs Macandrew, Stout, Brown, and a number of other Otago members to-day held an interview with the Eon. Mr Bowen in regard to Otago Education Reserves. They wanted the purposes of these definitely settled and appointed. They asked 100,000 acres in Otago, and 25,000 acres in Southland to be set apart as an endowment for primary education. Mr Bowen promised to consider the matter, and seemed favourable to the views of the deputation.

The Hon. Mr Whitaker's speech, in moving the second reading of the Native Lands Bill, was chiefly historical, and was very dull. He tried hard to show that the Bill introduced no new principles, and would not interfere with settlement. Dr Waliis and Mr Takamoana spoke strongly in opposition to the Bill, the latter saying the Maoris were greatly opposed to it. The debate is likely to be a long one, and the result is doubtful. An amendment will be moved to the effect that the Bill should be withdrawn and redrafted, so as to provide for small capitalists acquiring Native land for bonafide settlement.

The Hon. Mr Whitaker has stated that the Government will not insist on the details.

August Bth, The uebate on the Native Lands Biil last night was a very damaging one to the Government. Messrs Ballance, Travers, and the Maori members all made very telling apaches against the Bill, and no one was found, on the Government side to defend it, until at last Mr Reid rose and made a very poor-hearted speech. The general remark when he sat down was that if a Minister had no more to say in defence of a measure so strongly attacked it must be a very bad one. There was no doubt that, despite all Government efforts, there is a majority against them on this matter, and it is reported to-day that when the debate is resumed Ministers will appeal to the House to agree to the second reading, on the assurance that in Committee amendments will be introduced to bring the Bill into accord with the principles of Mr Ballance'a amendments.

A change of Ministry before the session ends is now regarded as almost a certainty. To-day the afternoon has been occupied with Mr Macandrew's motion about branch railways in Otago. He made an excellent speech in moving it ; but as was to be expected, has b«en met with a host of amendments, affirming the necessity for similar lines in other parts of the Colony. The Hon. Mr Ormond said the Bill to be introduced by Government would meet the legitimate demanda of all districts requiring railways, and able to pay for them. The debate is not finished, but" nothing will coma of it. ,

Mr Ormond is to make his Public Works Statement on Friday.