PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 8081, 28 June 1895, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

"Wfxlugton, Yesterday.

The Premier considers the fire in BUfanre companies should be ccm polled to contribute towards the cos of Fire Brigades,

The Minister of Education has promised Mr McGowan that his Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act will deal with the sending: of destitute persodb back to the districts to which they belong. A report is being prepared for the Government on the advisability of establishing a Government Fire Insurance Department oh similar lines*, to ibe Life Insurance Department. It is probable that in the Liquor Bill this session a clause will be introduced prohibiting the transference of licenses from one township to another. The Premier considers it only reasonable that volunteers should be exempt from serving on juries in consideration of the time they devote gratuitously to the colony. Mr Seddon explained to Major Harris that the reason why the Waiuku Mounted Rifle Volunteer Corps was not invited to attend the late Easter encampment at Auckland

- v was that the Government military \puthority did not recommend that the company should go into camp. Mr O'Regan*s suggestion to change the name of the colony to Maoriland does not catch on. Members seem to think, with the Premier, that we had better stick to New Zealand ftr weal or woe.

There ie very little prospect of anything being done in the way of the Govern men t establishing <» homes for habitual drunkards. Financial reasons stand in the -way, says Mr Eeeves. A bonus for the improvement 'of flax dressing machinery will most likely be placed on the Estimates this session.

Mr G. J. Smith is aDxious to learn whether any correspondence in connection with the proposed disposition of the property of the Bank of New Zealand, Estates Company by lottery Jias taken place between the Government and the Company or the Bar.k of New Zealand, and, if sn, what is the nature of such correspondence, seeing that shares in the Estates Company are held by the Bank of New Zealand, -which has been guaranteed by the colony, and in the management whereof the Government have a voice power of veto. Do the Government approve of such a proposal ?