Wellington.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 59, 19 August 1890, Page 2

Wellington.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Political.

The Government attempted to give Major Stewart an opportunity of introducing his pet measure, that a select committee be appointed to consider and report as' to the possibility of devising a system of appointing an Executive Government such as may be free from the evils of the present system —on the Swiss plan for instance -—by moving that the House meet on Monday evening to consider the proposal, but the motion was negatived by 37 to 30. Mr Downie Stewart’s proposal to reduce the honorarium by £SO was lost by the sweeping majority of 49 to 19.

The Hutchison charges against the Government again cropped up in the House on Friday by the Hon T. W. Efislop giving notice to move that the manuscript report and proofs of Mr Hutchison’s speech containing . the accusations against the Government be referred to the Reporting Debates Committee, for comparison with the Hansard report. The object being to show that Mr Hutchison had altered the speech considerably. I am convinced that ,my previously expressed opinion that the whole thing will end in smoke will be realised.

The Minister of Mines had a rough time of it when the Mines Vote was being considered. Messrs Seddon, R. Reeves, Brown, and Fish, were particularly rough on Mr Fergus, accusing him of gross carelessness. Considerable reductions were made tn the vote. The “ skinflints” were still hard at work at the congenial task of knocking off £5 here, £lO there, and £2O in another salary. The disgusting exhibition may be seen at any sitting of the House in Committee of Supply, and an unbiassed spectator may well be pardoned for being imbued with the desire to sweep the whole crowd of socalled economists out of the House, and it is humiliating to notice the Government has not got the backbone to stand by their own proposals, but allows them to be pulled to pieces by every jackdaw that chooses to peck at them.

There is every indication that the present session will last quite as long as the average one. The Oppositions’ move is to grant supplies to the end of the year only, with a view to getting a meeting of the new Parliament as early in April next as possible. Whether this move can be forced on the Government remains to be seen, but as the present Parliament expires on the sth October next, the leaders of the Opposition are determined unless they can force some such arrangement to keep the session going till then they will be able to dictate their own terms.

The approaching elections are casting their shadows before. Rumour is busy with the names of several aspirants for the city seats, and with the exception of Mr Fisher, I should not be surprised if none of the other present members were returned. By the way, I am glad to see from a recent issue of the Guardian that Mr C. H. Mills, of your town, undismayed at his last defeat, is again a probable candidate for the Waimea-Picton seat. I don’t know Mr Mills’ ticket, but if, as I surmise, he is “ ag’in the Government,” I should say he is the “ man for Galway.” In saying that Ido not wish to detract from the respectability of Mr Seymour, the sitting member, but I believe that members of Parliament, as well as individuals, can outlive their usefulness, and I am of opinion that Mr Seymour is in that position. A blind and siient submission to any party is not a good feature in a representative during a long course of years. A change would therefore prove beneficial to the district, especially if a man were returned more in harmony with the times. Trades and Labour.

The principal object of interest in this connection is the trouble with Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs. The hope is very generally expressed that the arbitration agreed upon will have the effect of throwing’ oil upon the troubled waters. The Commissioners’ reply to the Council is published in to-night’s papers. The tone of the reply may be gathered from the concluding portion of the letter, as follows:—“ You state as certain that the Eailway Servants will refuse duty if called on to handle Whitcombe and Tombs’ goods, and you assert that if suspension or dismissal should follow there will be a stoppage of the railway services from Auckland to the Bluff, The effects of so extensive a strike, should it come to pass, will be a serious check to the trade qf the colony, and entail privations on many families, and, much as the Commissioners deplore these consequences, they will not seek to avert them by violation of the law of the land in refusing to carry any person’s goods.

The latest addition to the strike element is the runners—some forty in number—of the Evening Press. The youngsters, a few days ago, gave notice that they required an increase in pay, and that not being forthcoming, a general strike took place this evening.

The proprietor wisely accepted the position, conceded the claim, and they resumed duty much elated at their success. : Wellington Notes. The Mahakipawa-Havelock Bridle Track.

In the House on Friday afternoon Mr Seymour asked the Minister of Mines whether he would take the necessary steps to acquire from the owners the land whereon the bridleroad, Mahakipawa to Havelpc,k was constructed last year; Mr Fergus replied to the effect that all enquiries were being made as to the extent of the land required for this road, and arrangements were being made for the land in question being taken over by the Government at once. Prospector’s’ Reward.

The question to be askefi by Mr Reeves with reference to the reward due to the prospectors of the Mahakipawa Goldfield, was allowed to stand over until Wednesday next.