PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 4123, 29 August 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[TELEGRAPHED BY SPECIAL COBRESPONDENr.J

LIMITING GRAZING LEASES.

Monday, August 28. — The Land Bill passed to-day, having been re-committed after a long debate to consider a new clause. This clause, proposed by Mr. McKenzie, of Otago, will prohibit any person obtaining a lease of more land than is capable of grazing twenty thousand sheep or having it transferred to him. The object is to prevent individuals or companies monopolising large tracts of country to the exclusion of small holders. The division was 50 to 29. It is anticipated that the Legislative Council will throw it out, as the sympathy of that body is with the large runholders.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

This evening the Mercantile Steam Service is to be debated, after which a Committee of Supply will be proceeded with, to be followed by the Roads and Bridges Construction Bill, if time permits. The political situation is now getting rather dull. All are anxious, except the Wellington people, to conclude the business of the session as soon as possible, and I see no reason to doubt the end arriving by the sth September, unless something unusual occurs.

PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE MINISTRY.

It is rumoured that there will be several changes in the Ministry during the recess, that in fact there will be no less than three vacancies — two arising out of resignations, and one already vacant. If the Government have been unable to fill one in 18 months, how long will it take to fill three ? The best way would be to let them all stand over till the end of next session. It would no doubt have the effect of attaching the uncertain aspirants for office, and thus in a crisis would perhaps avoid a collapse. The great art of modern Government by party appears to be to so arrange affairs by judicious backing and filling, and by exciting the hopes and the fears of the corner party, to keep a small majority and thus retain power, and the leaders who have the greatest address at the political game are the most successful statesmen, for nothing succeeds like success. It bliowb how very incapable Sir George Grey's Government was in 1879, as, with a fair majority and five millions to spend, they yet failed. If that does not show a want of business tact and modern statesmanship I don't know what does.