PARLIAMENTARY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8833, 17 July 1890, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON. [FROM OUB SPECIAL COKRESPONDENT.] « HUTCHISON COMMITTEE." Thursday, July 17. — "The Hutchison Committee " met on Wednesday. Sir J. Hall and other of- the Government members wished the charges limited, but objection was taken by the other Bide, and eventually it was decided that Mr Hutchison should not be limited at all. The enquiry will be resumed to-day, when some witnesses will be called. I underBtand the enquiry will be limited in some degree in consequence of certain handbooks and documents not being available for some time. OPPOSITION SOLD. It has leaked out that Mr Ballance played into the Retrenchment Party's hands on Tuesday night, and instead of injuring their movement, they, during the supper adjournment, went to Mr Mitchelson and told him if they did not accept Mr Monk's amendment they (The Retrenchment Party) would support Mr Balance's resolution, The Government, of course, had to accept, Mr Ballance's amendment was thus opposed by the Retrenchment Party, and Monk's was carried. MAORI LAND COUNCIL. Mr Taiwhanga is" introducing a bill to abolish^ Maori customs with respect to land, aid to establish, a Maori Council to administer native lands, excepting certain portions which are to be set apart as reserves and to be inalienable. EXHIBITION IN LONDON. In the House yesterday, Mr Fisher gave notice lo ask theiGovernment whether any answer has been sent to Mr Joubert on the subject of a proposed New Zealand exhibition in London, and if so what was the nature of the answer. ANOTHER MODE OF TAXATION. Mr Saunders tabled a motion that with the view of providing for school buildings and lunatic asylums, and dispensing with the primage duty, a sufficient tax bo imposed on all incomes exceeding £300 per annum to raise £127,398 per annum, being half the amount by which the interest and sinking fund has been allowed to increase during the , last three years. The rate to be -altered from' time to,, time bo as*, to meet >ny increase orj decrease in tti'6 national debt. BLACKETT'S APPOINTMENT. Mr Cadman intends to move for a return showing the total value of material Mr Blaokett, consulting engineer, has inspected in England on behalf of the colony . since his appointment, the number of letters he has written to the Government ainoo his arrival in London, the amount paid for clerical assistance to him both by way of gatery £9)' <M mi QWmvlWi and.

I the total amount of salaries, extras, and j contingencies which have been paid by the ! colony Bince his appointment. STOUT CONTESTS WELLINGTON. It is reported in Wellington that Sir Robert Stout will contest a Wellington city seat at the next election. Sir Robert himself is silent, saying he has not made up his mind yet whether or not he will be a candidate at all. THE RETRENCHMENr PARTY. The names of the members of the retrenchment party are Messrs Allen, Goldie, Hobbs, Lavrry, Monk, Peacock, Thompson, T. Thompson, Withy, Harkncsa and Saunders, who waited on Mr Mitchelson respecting Mr Monk's motion.