POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7377, 21 May 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON.

REPRESENTATION BILL.

Fbidat, May 20. — An attempt was tnado to-day to get the Representation Bill recommitted, in order that the number of members might be reduced, bnt those who were amongst the strongest advocates for the reduction had either changed their minds and voted against the re-committal, or were absent from the House. The Government earned the day, and the bill was read n third time. GETTING THROUGH BUSINESS* The Government polished off a lot of business during the. evening, and several bills passed through their third reading) owing to asomewhat thin house. This has left the Order Poper pretty clear, so when the House meets after the recess, it will be free for the new work the members may create. . NEW TACTICS OF THE OPPOSITION. The Opposition, have, it is now stated, decided to make their attack on the second reading of the Customs Tariff Bill, when a motion to the effect that the proposals are unsatisfactory will be given notice of by the first on the Opposition side. The Customs Tariff Bill will most likely come on on Wednesday next, when the fray will commence in earnest. THE ATTORNEY GENERALSHIP. Sir G, Grey will introduce a Bill oa Wednesday next to amend the Disqualification Act, in the direction of providing that the Attorney-General, while practising his prof essioQ, shall hot be capable of filling tho office of Premier, or undertaking the duties thereof. TRADE WITH NEW bOUTH WALEB. When Mr. Lance (the member for Cheviot) was attending the Stock Conference at Sydney last year, he interviewed the New South Wales Government with a view to seeing to what extent any reciprocal arrangement could bojeonie to between that colouy and. New Zealand for tho exchange of commodities. His mission however, was entirely unsuccessful. Since then there has been a change of Ministry ia New South Wales, and Sir Julius Yogel has communicated with the Parkes Qq r ver lament on the matter, but has received no reply. Ho thinks that a difficulty in carrying out any reciprocal arrangement would be found in the fact that we have no articles on which duties could be removed so as to make such an arrangement advantageous to the sister colony. THE JURY SYSTEM. The Minister for Justice intends introducing bills for the total aboliticn of coroners and grand juries. They will not be Government measures, but introduced by Mr. Tole in his private capacity as a member of the House.