PARLIAMENTARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7187, 11 June 1891, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

• [from our special correspondent.] WELLINGTON, June 11. It is generally believed that Mr Smith is out of the running for the Chairmanship of Committees. Mr Saunders is not unfavourably spoken of, but I believe the Government support will be given in another direction. Mr George Fisher has declared himself hostile to the Government and not with the Opposition at present. He stands alone. The Statement .Bills, &c, are ready for the House. The Ministers are bright, hopeful and rejoicing ; their real majority, I believe, will be found overwhelming. From what I can gather it seemß that the Opposition, dispirited by its own feebleness, will defer the appointment of a leader or the taking of any steps towards organisation till the Financial Statement has been delivered. The Chairmanship of Committees begins to loom largely in a rapidly diminishing distance. I believe, personally, that Mr Hamlin will distance all competitors, though members holding pronounced views on a particular subject are said to be opposed to his candidature. This debate will, however, be the signal gun of the Parliamentary battle. [Per Pbhsb Association.] The members of the Land Board waited on the Minister for Lands, urging him to modify the new Land Bill in the direction of reducing the value of improvements required under the terms on which the village settlements are taken up. It was pointed out that in many instances the land wa3 poor, and it was found impossible to comply with the requiremen of improving the land to the extent of £10, and its reduction to £t was suggested. The Minister promised consideration. Mr Mackenzie also said he regarded it sb dangerouß to re-open the question of revaluation, but hoped to be able to make provision in the new Bill for relief to be afforded in special cases.