Political Intelligence.

Southland Times, Issue 11841, 15 September 1891, Page 2

Political Intelligence.

(Br Telegraph.) (from our own correspondent). Wellington, Sept. 14. _ It is stated in all seriousness in the editorial columns of to-night's Post that Mr Ballance is to be the next Agent-General and that a reconstruction of the Cabinet will follow as a matter of course. As againßt this Mr W. C. Smith is quietly canvassing for support for the Chairmanship of Committees, so it is evident that the chief Ministerial Whip regards Mr Perceval's appointment as a foregone conclusion. It is generally understood that the Legislative Council will deal with the Payment of Members Bill by laying it aside. They have no power to amend it because it is a money bill. Mr Ormond intends to move to the effect that the members of the Council are quite satisfied with their present rate of remuneration, and have no desire for an increase, but, as the House of Representatives has sole control of the public purse, if members of that body send up a bill providing for an increase of their own salaries alone then the Legislative Council will be prepared to give such bill favourable consideration. The Legislative Council's proposed amendments in the Land Bill will practically cut out every policy feature in the measure and restore the law to its existing condition. Mr McKenzie cannot accept such drastic amendments, and the probability therefore is that the bill will be abandoned. Mr J. Kelly has tabled two questions (1) As to what steps the Government proposed to take in regard to the unauthorised payment of L 360 to the Hon. E. Mitchelson as salary and house allowance, and (2) whether the late Government paid to any or all Civil servants whose salaries were reduced in 1890 a bonus equal to any sum taken off their salaries by the House, and if so who were the officials in question. The presence of the Minister of Lands in the Lords' gallery did not have a deterranfc effect on the members of the Council in dealing with his Land Bill, which received very rude treatment indeed, the vital clauses being eliminated. The " one man one run " clause was rejected by 1& to 3, while the j clause dealing with mortgages was absolutely | friendless save as regards the vote of the Minister in charge. The perpetual lease clause was amended by giving the right of purchase with 5 per cent, added, re-enact-ing the present law — in fact an addition to the proposal under the bill. When the measure had gone through committee the Colonial Secretary (who had long before given up fighting the measure as hopeless and had been content to take a vote as quickly as possibly) told the Hon. Mr Stevens that the bill would never become law and as he refused to amend the schedule so as to cure its imperfections before sending it back to the House the unusual spectacle was witnessed of the Hon. Mr Fulton practically taking charge of a Government measure. Ministers are very wrath at the action of tne Council in killing their bill, and the Minister of Lands talks of stumping the colony in the recess. Other members of the Government talk loudly of swamping the Council by putting 20 new members there, and when confronted with the statement that the Governor would not accept such advice if tendered him, they reply that in that case His Excellency must find other advisers. We shall see how far this threat is to be relied on. (Per Press Association.) Christchuroh, Sept. 14. At a mass meeting held in Cathedral Square on Saturday night, 2000 persons were preseut, and a resolution was adopted that the Premier should at once recommend to his Excellency for appointment to the Legislative Council a number of working men known to be supporters of the present Government, and that upon their appointment Parliament should be convened to pass the Labour Bills. Auckland, Sept. 14. Mr W. A. Murray it is stated definitely announces himself as a candidate for Waikato, but will retire in favour of Mr Bryce, which of course is contingent on the cancellation of the vote of censure passed on him by the House.