POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8829, 12 July 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON.

("from our special correspondent.] DUMMYISM. Saturday, July 12.J— The Waste Lands Committee resumed its enquiry into' " Dummyism "on Friday. Mr Baker, the Canterbury Commissioner of Crown Lands, was examined and gave evidence in caseß where " dummyism " had taken place in Canterbury by a Company, whose manager and employees had applied for land. STOUT GIVES EVIDENCE. Sir R. Stout was also examined 'ani gave evidence in cases in Otago in connection with which there were legal proceedings in Dunedin recently. The Committee have adjourned till Tuesday, but it is understood that they have in preparation a bill dealing with " dummyism. " The Canterbury Commissioner, I believe, pointed' out that the law does not appoint the person who is to prosecute a person making a false application. ALLEGED CHARGE AGAINST THE MINISTRY. In moving a resolution for the appointment of a Committee to enquire into the charges made by Mr Hutchison agaiqst members of Ministry, Mr Mitchelson said the Government had offered to have the charges enquired into by a Committee, i four of whom had been approved by Mr Ballance, and four were Government 1 supporters. They were wDling that the ninth man should be Mr Withy, but Mr Hutchison insisted on Mr Saundera as odd man. They also offered as alternatives to refer the enquiry to a judge of tho Supreme Court, to be chosen by Mr Hutchison, assisted by one member of the House to be selected by the Government, and another member by Mr Hutchison, but this offer had also been refused. The Government, therefore, had done all they possibly could in the matter. Tho whole •f the afternoon was taken up over tho matter, but eventually the Government carried their point, and Mr Withy was chosen as the ninth man. The Committee consists of Messrs Ballance, Bryce, Fitchett, Withy, Hall, Larnach, McArthur, Ormond, and Seddon. GRANTING SUPPLIES TO FEBRUARY There is some talk of granting supplies to February, and calling Parliament together early in March. The Opposition, however, say they will not give the Government cany such long supplies. MINISTERS AND THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. There is likely to be a big row in the " Hutchison Committee " over the order of reference. The Government want to confine it strictly to the charges, but Mr Hutchison wishes to go generally into the relations of the Ministers and the Banks. It is intended to call Mr Buckley and Mr Hutchison as witnesses.