Political Notes and Comments

Southland Times, Issue 13264, 15 July 1895, Page 3

Political Notes and Comments

(FROM our own correspondent.)

[By Telegraph.]

Wellington, July 12.

Extreme surprise is daily expressed at the non-appearance of the policy measures of th Government. Neither the Local Government Bill nor the Licensing Bill is yet within sight. The Premier says of the lastnamed measure that it has yet to come before him, but that it will be ready at the end of next week or the beginning of the one following. This is regarded as a very remarkable statement seeing that it is generally understood that almost the only difference between the new bill and that of last year will be an alteration in the majority required to decide the issues placed before the electors. This is hardly enough to justify the delay connected with the bill,and even the Local Government Bill would have bjen ready to bring down had Ministers worked as they should have done during the recess on this vitally important measure. A new point c onnected with the three per cent loan is not (?) likely ,to be brought into view before the end of the session. When it was decided to charge settlers s.per cent, on advances obtained by them it was on the issumption that the money would not be secured in London for 3 per cent., but now that this has happened the interest charged on the advances should be proportionately reduced. The settlers themselves naturally look under all' circumstances for some consideration in this connection.

There were 4067 Chinese in the colony on the 31st March, 1894, and of that number only six had received charitable aid during the year. Lash year, uriderthe Government Loans to LocalßodieJAct, covnties lorrowedL2o,749, road boards, L 21.357 and -boroughs, L 5600. The expenditure on the Cheviot estate up to 31st March last amounted to L 332,814 and the income return by the property up to that date was L 58,707. . When the House resumed to-night the scene it presented was the most remarkable witnessed within its walls for many years. The galleries were crowded to excess and there was a full attendance of members. The cause of all this interest was the promised speech by the Colonial Treasurer on the Agent-General’s circular about the 3 per cent. loan. The Treasurer almost at once referred to his own speech to the Loudoi Chamber of Commerce, which led to an in--terruption from the 1< aler of the Opposition, bstween whom and the Premier it had been arranged openly in the House that the Treasurer’s Chamber of Commerce address should form the subject of a separate discussion. This, however, was ignored by tl e Premier. The Treasurei’s speech was a veiy remarkable performance, admirably coherent in statement, saying nothing of the solidity of the main argument, which was that there had been no misrepresentation or concealment’ of fact on his part or that of the Agent-General. The speech, regarded as a speech, was a brilliant performance. The same terms apply to the eflorts of Sir R. Stout and Mr G. Hutchison on the other side. July 13.

The old saying about a calm before a storm is being realised to-day. As a consequence of last night’s wordy warfare in. the House there is no news about and so, if members talk politics at all, it is in the way of fighting last night’s battle over again. The Premier says that'the FinanciaUStatement will ba ready on or about the 24th inst. ' The Government contributed L 1270 last year to the support of rescue homes for women. Oa Tuesday next Dr Newman is-to ask the Colonial Treasurer why the Government opposed the returns asked for by him, namely that all correspondence and every agreement between the Treasurer and the Bank of New Zealand and the Colonial Bank of New Zealand be laid before the House,

Mr Dnthio is to move that’a return be laid before the House showing the total amount sunk on dr about Pomahaka and on the approaches thereto; showing separately the amount spent bn roads,’ surveys, management, and other expenses, and the several votes under which such expenditure was incurred. . t ", Mr Allen wants a return showing (1) the amount of debentures realised each, year from the 31st March, 1887, in aid of. sinking fund ; (2) the amount actually applied each year to payment of sinking fund ; (3) the balance, if any, remaining each year; (4) how the balance has been used.

Sir R. Stout is bringing an important and comprehensive measure up entitled the Defamation Act, 1895. The bill as it appears is receiving a great deal of thoughtful attention at the hands of members. Amongst other things it,provides that—‘‘.lt is lawful to publish defamatory matter if the matter is true and if it is for the public benefit that the statement complained of. should be made.” And in regard to this it is set forth that “ whether any defamatory matter is or is not relevant to any other matter, and whether the public discussion of any subject is or is not for the public benefit, are questions of fact.”