Political Intelligence

Southland Times, Issue 14099, 12 July 1898, Page 3

Political Intelligence

(By Telegraph.) (from our parliamentary cokbespon1 dent.) Wellington, July 11. The Government’s Monday caucus has collapsed but the Opposition bad a meeting thia morning when the principles of several bills were discussed and a committee was set up to deal with them and lepor.. . The general opinion is that the Opposition is in sympathy with the extension of the municipal franchise to householders, but bevond that they are not inclined to go. As some of the Government’s supporters represent country constituencies they are not prepared to support the Government s bill Their opposition is expressed thus. If we vote lor this measure we cannot conuistently oppose Jits application to counties and our constituents, being farmers, would stand that. ” “ If, said one, the Government will make it applical le only to the four large centres of population I may aunnort it.” The Government s supporters sixes and sevens over this policy measure. The bill may be carried through its second reading but it is saf ® J* say that it will be transmogrified in committee. These remarks will likewise apply io the local loans voting bill. The Joint Library Committee met to-day tn receive the report of a subcommittee on the cost M the new library. The subcommittee reported that Mr Turnbu.l, th architect, had stated that it would lake from L 28,000 to L 30.000 to complete the building, inclusive of LIO,OOO already exbe remembered that the Opposition opposed the Rating en Unimproved "Values Act because it would be hurtful to the artisan and allow his wealthier neighbour to escape. Mr Buchanan (Wairarapa) spoke strenuously against the bill, which was passed with a perrmssive clause. The Act has been adopted in his district and he tells me that by its operation he has been saved L9O a year in taxation. There is evidently to be war between Mr C. Lewis and the Hon. J. McKenzi*. Since the Minister of Lands declared that his branding bill was to be made applicable to the sots of butchers and|Tories that robbed the Bank of New Zealand of four millions of money Mr Lewie has been preoaring some warm questions for • ‘ f ands.” For instance, he is to remind the Hon. J* McKenzie of his statement in Christchurch that officers of the Bank of gtaland deceived the toveromepb aad

were still in the bank, and will ask the Minister what steps the Government are going to take to have these Government deceiving officers removed 1 This is likely to lead to ructions between the Premier and “ Lands,” for it is generally understood that leading Ministers are not in agreement over the Bank of New Zealand. I learn that this session the number of applications for billets io the Civil Service far exceeds any previous experience of members. (Per Press Association.) At a meeting of the Municipal Association this afternoon considerable discussion took place upon the Municipal Franchise Reform and Local Government Voting Reform Bills and it was resolved that the Premier be asked to receive a deputation from the delegates of the Association at present in Wellington, with a view to the postponement of taking the Franchise Bill into committee of the House until after the conference of delegates (which meet on Monday next) shall have had an opportunity of discussing the bill. The Council of the New Zealand Cyclists Touring Club to-night resolved that the Council, having considered the Cycle Traffic Bill introduced into the House this session, earnestly urge that the bill be postponed till next session so that cyclists may have an opportunity of considering it and suggesting amendments thought advisable.