PARLIAMENTARY. (From "Auckland Star" special correspondent.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 205, 28 May 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

PARLIAMENTARY. (From " Auckland Star" special correspondent.

Thursday Afternoon Business. Wellington, May 20. fm: Thursday afternoon business, which generally consists of the discussion of Local Bills, was even less interesting 1 than usual yesterday. Most of the time was devoted to i\ discussion of the Bill authorising the tVanga'nuj Harbour Board to raise a further loan for the extension of tho Wanganui breakwater. It will be remembered that the lull was persistently talked out last so^ion by Mr Bryce and others. Yesterday, however, the bill made some progress in committee ; but Mr Bruce succeeded in getting Rangitikei district exempted from taxation for the payment of interest on the loan, and Mr Ballance, who was in charge, immediately had progress reported.

Various Bills. The bill relating to the reclamation in Wellington Harbour passed through committee, and was read a third time. The Nelson Foreshore Bill made further pi-o-gres* in committee The Oamaiu Harbour JJill passed the second reading. The City of Dunedin Borrowing on Deposit Bill was talked out.

Workmen's Wages. While the Workmen's Wages Bill was under consideration last year, Air Gunmen cai vied a clause providing that wages must he paid -within 14 days from the time that a servant left his master's employment, and that in default the wages should run on at the same rate. The Premier chopped the bill rather than accept the clause and Mr Guinness has now prepared a bill for the purpose of making the piinciple in liis clause law.

Shipowners' Liability. The (Government have promised Mr Peacock that they w ill introduce a bill next .^es^ion limiting the liability of owners of vessels which have been seized in consequence of detection of smuggling by the owners' employees. The law in Engand limits the liability to -€500.

Differential Railway Kate?. Mr Hamlin has succeeded in convincing the Minister of Public Works that there is a difference in the rates charged on arious classes of agricultural products Onions were quoted as an instance of the higher taiiff on certain classes of vegetables. Mr Richardson said he was not aware that these differences existed, and promised to have the tariff made uniform, lie complained at the same time that farmers did not write direct when they suffered under giievanccs of this kind.

The Attorney Generalship. Sir George Grey says he expects to carry his bill which was introduced to amend the Disqualification Act in the diiection of providing that the AttorneyGeneral of New Zealand, while practising the profession of law within the colony, shall not lie capable of holding the office of Premier of the colony by performing duties of the office. Mr Bevan has given notice of an amendment of the bill providing that no person receiving an allowance or pension from the Imperial Government shall be eligible for the oiHce of Premier.

s>efcrred Payment Settlers. The inability of sottlers on the West Coast leaseholds to pay the heavy rentals at -which they took over their sections has boon brought under the notice of the House. The Colonial Treasurer a^kecl to have it postponed in order that a definite answer might be given. Major Atkinson urged that proceedings against the settlers should be stayed in the meantime. Sir Julius Vogel promised to ask the Public Trustee to do k>, but would not undertake the responsibility of instructing him to take that course. Interest at the rate of 15 per cent, is being charged on all rents in arrears.

Members' Holiday. Members are not to have their week's holiday after all. The Premier intends to move to-day that the House at its rising do adjourn to Wednesday next. Some few members more zealous than loyal are anxious that the House should sit on Tuesday, the Queen's Birthday.

The Totalizator. Mr McLeans Gaming and Lotteries Bill, which prevents a recurrence of investors on losing horses getting a refund of their money, as it appears they are legally entitled to by the judgmont in the case? Sturt v. Dunedin Jockey Club, has passed the Legislative Council, and was introduced into the Lower House yesterday and read a first time.

The University The bill introduced by Mr Lcvestam to amend the N"ew Zealand University College Act passed the second reading last night. It provides that vacancies in the Senate should be filled up by the Governor in Council and Convocation alternately chosen, and that members of the Senate should not have the right to vote by proxy. The Premier expressed a conviction that the bill was intended either to crush out tho existing University Colleges or rehabilitate Nelson University College.

Railway matters. Mr Ivess is urging the Government to rein broduce the return ticket system on all railway lines in the colony with a view to encouraging people to travel more frequently over the railways. The Sessional Railway Committee, of which notice has been given, includes the names of Messrs Rolleston, Gore, Hatch, Mills, O'Conor, Ormond, Walker, Whyte, Wilson, and Richardson.

One Man Vote. Sir George Grey succeeded in getting his One Man V ote Bill through committee last night, but in a form not at all in accordance with his views. Captain Sutter managed to have an amendment inserted, giving power to vote in two electorates instead of one only. Sir George had the bill re-com-mitted subsequently and sought to reverse this decision, bub was beaten oy 32 to 27.

Women's Franchise. Tho Women's Franchise Bill kept the House in very lively humour in committee last night. Mr Ivosa wished to confine franchise to women holding property in their own right, and Mr Montgomery to all women who were ratepayers, and also graduates of the Univeisity, and Mr Levostam to widows and spinsters. Tho Treasurer offered to introduce a clause providing that the bill should not come into force until after tho next gonoral election. Tho bill was steadily stonowallod, Mr Turnbull taking an active part in these tactics. Mr Turnbull drew an amusing picturo of the possibilities of what might occur if women were admitted, to the Hou.se. One was that a woman might become Premier, and it would be very awkward in a political crisis like the present if tho lady premier, to quote Mrs Gamp, "became due," and could not attend to her duties for several wcoks. Mr Secldon said she could get leave of absence on urgent private business. Mr Turnbull provoked a pally by adding that that would not find room in the buildings for independent members, and how weio they to provide a nursery? Sir J. Vogel consistently lefusedto »i\e way to the stonew alters. After the struggle had been prolonged till 1 o'clock in tho morning, clause 2, the essential clause of the bill, providing for the insertion of the words " and woman " in tho Qualification of Electors Act, was put, and lost by 21 to 19. Sir Julius Vo^ol then moved to report pi ogress, which was agreed to, and the House rose.

HUE lIUNISTERUIi €11ISIS. Wellington, I\lay 20. The •' Evening Post" considers that Major Atkinson and members of the Opposition must bo rather hard put when they have to ask Mr Ormoncl to lead them in an assault on the Ministerial position, as he is no friend of theirs, having been instrumental in getting the Continuous Ministry ejected from oihee. The "Tost" goes onto say that the situation is a very curious one. Major Atkinson, the author and constant advocate of the property tax, will be called on to declare his want of confidence in the finance of a Ministry which has made his own pet tax their sheet anchor, and to follow into the lobby a rival politician whose main object is to abolish that tax and biibstituto -what ho has always most stoutly condemned and opposed an income and land tax. The Treasurer, on tho other hand, will have to risk his position in defence of a tax which he has admitted ho would, if starting afresh again, deem it less desirable than tho very taxes on income and land which his at-sailant rocommends to the colony. Sir George G*ey, the constant advocate of the land tax, will have to follow into tho lobby tho member whom of all others he most dislikes in the House, and most of the smaller fry will be entirely at a loss how to reconcile the conflicting claims to their vote 3.

Birthday Ball. A ball will be given at Government House to-day in honour of the Queen's Birthday. 1,200 invitations have been issued.

Who will Lead tlie Opposition? The " Times " this morning, refexring to an article in the " Post," extract from which I have wired you,says :: — '• Grave uneasiness appears to have been excited in some quarters by the report that Mr Ornaond is to move the coming want of confidence motion, and the monstrous evils that must ensue from such a proceeding are anxiously dwelt on. It may possibly tend to allay that uneasiness if we oiler our decided opinion that Mr Ormond will not be the mover, but that the motion will be placed in quite different hands. Although no delinite decision as to the couise to be adopted will be arrived at until to-morrow morning, when a meeting is to be held, there is, we believe, no doubt that a motion adverse to the Government will be moved, and it is freely stated that a majority against Ministers is certain. That may or may not be the case, meanwhile both fides are assiduously engaged in lobbying and canvassing, as it is unlikely that tli ere will be many votes to be spared on either side."

Sir Julius Disposed Of. Rumour says that Ministers have decided to bring down revised financial proposals, embodying large concessions as to tariff, but that members generally are disinclined to entertain a second Budget betove the first one has been disposed of. All sorts of lobby rumours are, of course, flying about, as is always the case on the eve of a political' crisis. One is that should the Government be beaten, Sir Julius Vogel will succeed Mr Seed as Commissioner of Customs on the retirement of the latter next month. An old report is also revived that Sir Julius Vogel will become the chief of the Government Insm-ance Department. In either case a Stout- Atkinson coalition is taken for granted.

Mr Darft-avillc's Vote Mr Dargaville has been vindicated. While the motion for the recommittal of the Representation Bill was under discussion, Mr Dargaville complimented the Premier on tho manner in which the bill had been engineered through the House. He said ho had a great respect for the newspagers (especially so on tho eve of a general election), and he hoped that the papers in Auckland would be just enough to exonerate him from the blame hastily put on him for his vote. The member for Motueka lugubriously ejaculated "Poor fellow." Tlie Premier took the opportunity to whitewash Mr Davgaville, and declared that i£ the Auckland papers said that the momber for City West had opposed the bill, they stated what was untrue. Tho Premier then proceeded to give other Auckland members, including Messrs Buckland, Peacock, and Thompson, credit for assisting' liim to get the bill through, and these gentlemen appeared to be anything but pleased with the association of their names with Mr Dargaville's in this matter. Their efforts were not in the same direction as those of the member for Auckland City West. Mr Dargaville claims that his vote saved the Representation Bill. In justico to the

other Auckland members ibis but right that the real facts of the caso should be stated. The division on^Mr Bryce's motion ?>we the Premier the first intimation of bho fact that there was a party in the House strong enough to compel him to carry the bill through. That division forced him to a compromise which he had previously refused to oonsider. Jt Avas indisputably a fact that if the Premier had dropped the bill, it Avould haA r e been carried through by his opponents Avith a reduced number 6f members and a very slight increase in the percentage. Had it not been for the Premier's threat to drop the bill, the nutnlier of members would haA'e been r'etained'H^'7l by a majority of at leabt five, ' and a KtVing of' fully ' £5,000 annually made to the country. Many avlio Vvould have supported the reduced mui'j)er of members avoid afraid to do so for fear that the Premier Would keep his thioat and abandon the measure, and if th©y had resigned Avhen the Opposition took up 'the bill members Avould have goy.e to the country on the old bill. Amongst pm'ate members' bills theie is, perhaps, nono Ojxcj&ing more attention here than Mr Fishwis bijj to prevent brewers from OAvning pwMip; houses. Strenuous efforts have been, successfully resorted to so far to prevent it- coming on for the second reading., It» had a chance of coming up, on Wednesday night, when Sir Julius Vogel interposed a speech on Mr Pyke'.s Otago Central Railway Bill. Just as the motion for the second reading of that bill \v*is going to the vote on the following cvonjiuo; (Thursday), Sir Julius Vogel's Femata iftanchise Bill came up, and as Sir Julius persisted in goingomvitli thediscussion in comm,vtteo,t>he eveningAvas Avasted in sfconeAvalling, and the BreAvors Bill Avas prevented from coming on. Mr Fisher complained bitterly of a member of the Government taking up two private members' evenings, and as the priA'ate members' days of next Aveek are taken for the financial debate, it cannot be stated with any certainty when the BreAvers Bill Avill come up again. Mr Fisher proposes to give the BroAvors thi'ee years during Avhich to divest themselves of any proprietary rights. The total number of sheep in the colony is 13,174,263, as against 14,546,801 for the previous year, or an increase of 027,462, viz.: Auckland, 13,158; Napier, 174,662; Taranaki, 1,274 ; Wanganui, 1,127 ; Rangitikei, 83,283 ; Wellington, 87.14S ; Nelson, 10,975 ; Marlborough, 12,908 ; Canterbury, 93,867 ; Otago, US,99S. The returns this year slioav a A-ery considerable increase in long-wools and eross-breds ; Avhilfct merinos have decreased nearly 300,000. The total increase in the North Island is 300,654, and in the Middle Iblancl 266,808. A large increase has taken place in the export of frozen meat., During the*ycav ended 31st March last 706,967 carcases" of mutton luwe been shipped, or an increase of 132,775 over the year 1885. Of these, Auckland furnished 19,013 ; Napier, 157,800; Wellington, 140,302; Canterbury, 235,631 ; and Otago, 153,321. The number of sheep boiled down amounted to 325, 450, and the number used at preserving works Avas 86,871. The increase in the number of sheep boiled doAvn is Aery marked, being 260,266 more than last yen*. The imports consist of 1,680 sheep from the Australian colonies, and the exports to 2,824, viz., 19 to Australia, 110 to Ncav Caledonia, and 2,095 to the South Sea Islands.

Jottings'. Mr Hobbs has been urging the establishment of a post-office at Herekino. A petition is on its way from Auckland, and Avith it a memo, from the postmaster at Auckland. Sir Julius promises to give a definite answer when this is received. The cablegram from Melbourne stating that the New Zealand Government proposed to vote £1,000 a year for ten years to the support of the Imperial Institute has received practical confirmation. The Governor has sent down a message asking for this vote for the period named, and the bill was read a first time. The fines inflicted on the employees of the Government throughout the country are paid into a fund vested in the public trustee for making the nucleus of a superannuation fund. This information was elicited by a question in the House. The "Post "says it is believed that the Opposition whips do not calculate on a majority on a direct vote of want-of-con-fidence, but feel confident that if the amendment is properly worked and judiciously moved it will command a majority. The Wellington members had to encounter determined opposition from Mr Hursthouse • and others before they succeeded in getting the bill endoAving their proposed university through the House. There is reason to believe that another attempt will be made this year to strike the vote for Auckland University out of the estimates. Auckland members are alive to the. demger, There is very little probability of a reintroduction of the system of return tickets on the publio railways. The Minister of Public "Works says it would mean an annual loss of £40,000 to tho. re venue, and refuses to consider it. The Minister of Defence says ifc is not true that long-service medals are given to Volunteer officers in England, and has refused Mr Thompson's request to grant such medals here. He says, howevor, that tho question of promotion is again under the consideration of the 1 Department. The approximate estimate of returns from the proposed alterations in tne tariff has just been calculated. The estimated annual increase of revenue is not shoAvn oh the items separately, but by numbers of them being lumped together. Tho following is the information supplied : — Acid, fish, macaroni, maizena, and cornflour, starch mustard, pickles, sauce, rice, chocolate, confectionery, caudles, apples, (dried, created waters, and honey £25,000. Fruit and vegetables, L 5,00 0; patent medicines avid sheep dip, L 25,000. Spirits underproof L 12,000 boots and shoes and leather, LI 1,500. Basketwaro and wickerware, perambulators, carriage and cart shafts, Ll 1,200. Paper-wrapping, paper-bags, and pictorial lithograph and paints, L 14,00 0; tAvine and cordages, LI, 500.

Gas pipes, water pipes, iron, cement;, barbed wire, fencing, iron work, casting, lamp-posts fitting for machsnery appliance for raising water steam engines other than for agricultural purposes, valves, and whistles L] i,OOO paints, varnish, glue, doors and sashes, and wrought marble and stone L 2.000. Calico, cotton, and shirting, dress prints, and all articles not otherwise enumerated on which the ad mlorcm duty is raised front IT) to 20 per cent., LI 10,000 ; grand total, L 156,000.