WELLINGTON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7186, 10 June 1891, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS.

[from otjr own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, June 9. THE OPPOSITION.

Very little can be learned as to the organisation or intentions of the Opposition. That Captain Russell is to be its leader seems to be generally understood, but on what grounds I cannot discover. Certainly, however, no member of the party commands uuch general regard. SIR ROBERT STOUT. The organ of the Conservative party in Wellington came out last night with a more than ususaly mendacious article. The article in question opens with a further reference to the now stale rumour as to Sir Eobert Stout's connection with the Ministry. I am in a position to state positively that Sir Robert has, in private, emphatically denied any connection with the Government, Buch as the organ referred to suggests. The writer would have us believe that Sir Robert Stout is playing a pitiful game in " sacrificing patriotism to pelf," by directing operations in which (to save his own pocket) he does not take part. Those who know the members of the Government, and particularly the Premier, can judge whether they are the sort of men who would submit to be puppets in the hands of anyone. Attempts of this sort to discredit the Ministry excite only ridicule or wild indignation. ' &Fr &EOKOE FIBHEE. . The indignation i 3 called forth by the disingenuousness of the article, which becomes apparent when one reads further. The point of it ließ in tho reference to Mr George Fisher. I Bhould not like to suggest that that gentleman had hand or part in it, but " he who runs may read" that it was penned by someone who takes a deep interest in the welfare of the senior member for Wellington. It complains bitterly of the duplicity oE the Government, which, being interpreted, means the ill-luck of Mr Fisher in not getting into office as Chairman of Committees. This, coupled with the dark hints one hears of [ Mr Fisher's intention to " make it hot " for the Government, gives one a curious I insight into the patriotism of Mr Fipher. He who went in a staunch supporter of the Government is now threatening its life. With what distrustful glances the Opposition would receive any advances Mr Fisher ! might make to them, may bo easily imagined. I need not, however, dwell longer on this matter, for no one here regards it as worthy of eerious consideration. EAIIAVAY 2IATTERB. Nothing more is heard about the inten- | tion of the Commissioners to devise a scheme for the oecuring of passengers' seats on long journeys, but I believe a by-law in that direction will shortly be drafted. The Commissioners reiterate strongly their contradiction of Mr Vaile'B statement that they are "raising the rates." Mr Pilcher has already demonstrated the fallacy of Mr Vaile'B contention in your columns.

INCIDENCE OF TAXATION.

Of course Ministers are reticent on this subject, and decline positively to anticipate the budget ; bub I am in a position to say that not only are improvements to be sparingly dealt with, but that the graduated property tax, while it will benefit the small landholders enormously, will not press unduly on the larger holders. The aim has been (and it has been faithfully and earnestly sought) to make the burden equitable. j STATEMENTS. The Financial Statement will probably be delivered on Friday week, and the Public Works Statement very shortly after. ULYSSES EETUBNING. I prefer to compare Sir George to that hero than to another personage of greater antiquity, who, on being asked to give an account of himself, said he had been " wandering up and down the earth and to and fro." Sir George is a disturbing element wherever he goes, and no doubt he is going to enliven many an evening this session. His gifts and graces make him welcome. We shall all welcome him; but I think the time has now gone by for members or the public in this Colony to be misled by his specious arguments and artful oratory. The threatened defection of Mr Fisher and the certain unruliness of Sir George, will have the effect of consolidating the Government Party, which is now thoroughly impressed with the earnestness, vigour and single-mindedness of the Government.

MB BEDDON'S GOOD WORK.

The Minister for Public Works is a tower of strength, as he is a monument of patriotism and the very incarnation of zeal. Large-minded is he and practical. Mr Seddon throws himself heart and soul into the work of his department. He has now ready for consideration the prevention of the bogus company nuisance, and the Goldmining and Coalmining Bills. Only to-day the Minister issued to his department a ukase, to the effect that in future all tenderers under Government muet maku a declaration that they will pay current rates of wages for all work, that is, the rate payable in the locality for the particular sort of work, and that they will recognise eight hours' labour as a legal day 'B work. Thia will simplify the work of Resident Magistrates in giving judgment in many cases of wagea-men versus employers that come before them. 1 may add that a similar regulation is adopted by the London Board of Works.

LANDS,

Mr M'Kenzie is at his post, too, and from him I learn that Mr March, who has' been making a tour of Otago in tho interests of tho village settlement scheme, has returned to Christchnrch, where he purposes lecturing on the working of tho scheme. Meanwhile the Government is opening up suitable areas in every direction. The work of the Lands Department generally is in a forward state.

TO THK FOBH.

Mr Taylor, of Sydenham, looking as fit as ever, has to-day been interviewing Ministers regarding several local requirements. Two matters oE his are worth chronicling. It has been long felt as a great hardship that friends of the inmates of Sunnyside should be unable to visit them on Sundays, the reason given by the authorities being that the accommodation is inadequate to the requirements of Sunday visiting. Thus, of course, numbers of persons are unable to see their friends, as they cannot afford to lose a day's work during the week. Mr Taylor has induced the Minister for Public Works to place a sum on the Estimates for increasing the accommodation. He has also prevailed on the same Minister to Bee to the carrying out of a work that was to have been carried out by Mr Fergus, namely, the connection of the Government Buildings in Christchurch with the sewers.

INDUSTRIAL CONCILIATION BILL.

The Industrial Conciliation Bill was circulated to-day to the Trades and Labour Councils and the branches of the Employers' Association in the large centres. Further copies are being printed as rapidly as possible, and it ib hoped that by the end of the week all the labour and employers' organisations will be fully supplied. The Bill was considered at a meeting of the. Wellington Tradea and Labour Council last night. There were twenty delegates present, the Vice-President (Mr Collins) occupying tho chair. The first Bubject that came up for consideration was the Government's draft Bill for dealing with the adjustment of labour disputes, and for the settlement of differences between employees and employers. This Bill was sent to the Council by the Government for suggestions. An interesting and instructive discussion ensued, in which nearly everyone present took part. The debate resulted in the Bill being unanimously approved of as printed, the few alterations suggested being mere matters of detail. From the workers' standpoint the Bill was regarded as almost complete, which members evinced by the adoption of the following resolution : — " That this Council, whilst reserving the right to suggest alterations as to details, highly approves of the Industrial Conciliation Bill drafted by the present Government, and pledges itself to help the Government in every way possible to have it placed on the Statute Book of this Colony." The Auckland Council, to whom

an advance copy was sent, has also written to the Hou W. P. Reeves, expressing warm approval of his Bill. THE FATE OF MENDACITY. A good deal of capital haa been made by the Opposition out of the stupid invention about SirEobert Stout going Home to conduct the Edwards c/ise before the Privy Council, and a certain organ pointed triumphantly to the fact that a Mr Olliver (a colonial) i 8 practising at Home, as a proof that a colonial barrister may conduct cases before the English Courts. Unfortunately for the inventors, Mr Olliver is an English barrister. j [Pbb Press Association^ It is stated that it is improbable that Mr Hamerton, Commissioner of Public '• Trusts, will, owing to ill-health, be able to ■ resume his official duties, even at the i expiry of the present term of leave, in i which case Parliament will be asked to j provide a retiring allowance. Government, I in this matter, is believed to be acting after ! consultation and with the concurrence of j the Royal Commission. Mr Hamerton has only been granted one i I month's leave of absence. Mr J. K. j W&dburton, accountant in the Postal and ; telegraphic Department, has been appointed to act temporarily as deputy Public Trustee. Tho appointment was made under the Act of 1872. He will probably enter | upon his new duties tc-inorrow. j