POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4772, 12 October 1893, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[FROM OUR Bt>66Uit COSEEStONDBNT.I WELLINGTON, Octf. 11. THE GOVERNMENT iND THB COTJNOI&. j I have seen an analysis -of the division lists of the Council upon the policy measures of the Government during the past session, from which it would appear that to equalise parties in the Upper House not less than seven new appointments would be necessary. This is the burning party question that will be projected during the coming general election. One section of the Government following ' desires to abolish the Counoil, and another ; would popularise it by making it elective; 'butlhava reason to believe that neither i course finds favour with the Cabinet. A ! fortnight ago I Baid that new appointments j might be looked for, and that the Coun- 1 cillors, in their rejection of the Land for Settlements and Labour Bills, were playing directly into the hands of the Government. The same remarks apply with even more fozce to the Eailway Bill, for its destination has left the Premier master of the situation. These things will be ' his chief reasons for his indictment of the Counoil in the country, and it toll be urged with aU" the power he can command. If the Government returns to power; the Council may be further reformed by limiting the term of service of all members to seven years, the time fixed by the Act of last year, under which, the new Councillors were created. Previous appointments were for life, and the Liberal Party now contends that this is an anomaly that, should be obliterated. To do this, a short amending Bill might be passed, making the Act of last year retrospective. This will, I venture to think, be found to be the policy of the Government in the direction | of its reform of the Council. i , THE WELLINGTON CONSTITUENCY. I The question is still being asked, Will ; the Premier Btand »f or Wellington P and j the liquor party and the Liberal conveni tion, through their representatives, are I persistent in their efforts to induce Mr Seddon Jto offer himself. ■. The convention '

expresses the desire that ha shall nominate three candidates, including Sir B. Stout and himself, these three tofoave the united vote of the supporter of the Government, to the exclusion of all other candidates. The third man would thus be selected from, Meß&ra M'Lean (the sitting member), Kennedy Maodonald and Praßer. This arrangement, I am sure, the liquor party would accept, but what would the knight say to such a project P To thiß question I was answered that he had placed himself in the hands of the Liberal convention, and expressed his intention to accept its nominees. If this be so, he could hardly have supposed that it might lead to each a contingency as support from the liquor party. My own impression is that Sir Eobert will have none of it, that his attitude and known strong convictions on the Temperance question are sufficient reasons why he should decline to accept the aid of such a combination. Meanwhile, the enemy is at tbe gate of Weatland, and the Premier must decide quickly if he is ,to decide welL I quite expected to-day that he would have decided not to waver in his devotion to Kumara, but he is yet' undetermined. The chosen of the Opposition to fight Mr Seddon on his own stronghold is, I believe, Mr J. Fitzgerald, editor of the Timaru Herald and a brother of the Auditoi -General; and from what I learn he is a foeman of whom the stoutest political warrior need be wary, for organised power is said to be behind him, and the miner of the West is Baid to be at odds with Riohard about the local water-race question. Altogether the situation will not brook delay, and the Premier may decide at any moment. THE GENERAL ELECTION. The Premier to-day informed me that though the date of the general eleotion is not yet fixed, it will not ba later than Dec. 17. It may be earlier, but that will depend upon the registration of the new voters. These are not getting upon the rolls, the country women particularly, as quickly aB had been expected, and to facilitate matters the local officers have instructions to send out horeemen in the outlying districts to collect the necessary claims. The enfranchised women of the cities and towns have shown commendable alacrity in claiming their political rights, but the country women have so far not been fairly represented, and the Government seems desirous to do all that is possible to ensure their participation in the work of creating the new Parliament. ■ HONE HEKB. [ Hone He&e zb the grandson of that famous warrior of the north, whose name is such an historic landmark in the early Maori wars. Hone Heke, the warrior's grandsire, with his braves, among 1 other deeds, slew a British garrison in the Bay of Islands, that he might destroy a flagstaff that bore the emblem of British rale. The Hone Heke of to-day is a handsome lithe young Maori aristocrat, with the manner, speech and dreßS of a cultivated English gentleman. To-morrow he takeß wing for his home in the Bay of Islands, to hear the voices of his tribesmen for a place in the coming Parliament. To-day I had a long inter* view with him, chiefly as bo the Native legislation of the session, upon which he holds very pronounced and adverse views. The man, his manner and hia mission were alike interesting, and furnished an attractive illustration of the social evolution of tbe Maori. OTAGO OENTBAL AND CATLIN's BIVEB RAILWAYS. The Premier assures me that work iv the big tunnel near Hyde, on the Otago Central, will be taken in hand immediately, and that every expedition is being used to make a commencement. This will ba the first work taken in hand, and following up that being started, the Catlin'a River railway work will be proceeded with as quickly as possible. THE HON J. CABBOLL, The Native Minister started on the warpath to-day overland for Napier, to fight what he admits will be an arduous campaign on the East Coast, but which he means to win. From Napier he will proceed to Gisborne, and thence through the electorate. His opponent, Mr De Latour, is, I am told, an accomplished lawyer, a fluent and effective speaker, and a capable politician of high personal character. He is said to have already captured the vi»4 of the political lady, and is desoribed to me aB being in politics of the New Liberal type. That will be, all things to all men and women, but this may be an assertion of the enemy. FACTOBIEB ACT. Mr Tregear, the Chief Inspector of Factories, has just finished his annual tour of inspection of the factories of the Christchurch and Napier districts, and seems generally well pleased with tbe condition of affaire in the various establishments visited. He tells me that the Act is working well, and that both employers and employees are fairly satisfied with the existing condition of affaire. MOVEMENTS OF THE PEBMIEE. The Premier will, in response to an Invitation from Feildmg, deliver an address there on Friday evening. He purposea proceeding to Dunedin in about a fortnight, and will there address the electors if time permits. He will, during the southern trip, speak at Aehburton, Lyttelton and Invercargill, from which places he has received invitations to address the people upon publio affairs. COUBT OF CBIMINAL APPEAL. . I learn that it is probable that the Court of Criminal Appeal provided by the new Criminal Code Act will be constituted by an expansion of the existing Civil Court of Appeal. MISCELLANEOUS. The notable criminal oase which was the subject of more than one debate in Parliament during the session, and which many members desired reopened in favour of the prisoner Chemis, is, I hear, under consideration. I believe it will be found that the Government will not feel justified in reviewing the verdict of the jury. Mr L. H. B. Wilson, Assistant-Secretary of the Marine, who has performed twentysix years of office work, retires from the service, owing to the amalgamation of the Customs and Marine Departments. j The Minister for Lands leaves for hi* home to-morrow* [Spsoiaii to the "Stab."] WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. THE MINISTER fOE LANDB. The Minister for Lands leaves for his 1 home to-day. He goes to Dunedin on Monday to transact departmental business, ■ returning home on Tuesday, as he much requires rest after the arduous work of the session. The dates of his publio election appearances cannot yet be fixed. He will meanwhile, however, take the opportunity to personally, see as many of his friends as possible. THE STOCK ACT BEGULATIONS. The Stock Aot Regulations are in the hands of the printer, and will come into operation on Jan. 1. The veterinary surgeons, Messrs Gilruth and Charlton, newly appointed, are now here receiving their instructions. One will shortly visit the South' Island to attend the Agricultural Shows, meet Btook-owners and acquaint himself with the requirements of Bottlers. The second goes to Taranaki and the West Coast to examine parasitic diseases in sheep.

Cycling. —The Atthburton Amateur Cycling and Athletic Asaooiation opened the season yesterday afternoon. ' About twenty cyolifltß assembled at the Post Office, and went in procession through the principal streets of the town to the Domain, where four bicycle and three foot races were run off. The following are the winners : — Bicycle Eace, half-mile— E. Shearman 20yds, 1 ; W. G. Murray 80yds, 2 ; A. Daley cor, 3: Time— lmin 23aeo, Bicycle Eace, one mile— B. Shearman 30yds, 1; W. Shearman 4oyds, 2; A.Daley scr, 3. Time— 2min 52fcseo. Bicycle Eaoe, one mile and a half— By Shearman 35yd8, 1; W. Shearman 45yds, 2; A. Daley ecr, 8. Time — Imin 48f«eo. Bicycle Eace, three miles— W. Shearman 60yds, 1; E. Shearman 45yds, 2; A. Daley ecr, 3. 100 yds Foot Eace— L. Broad acr, 1; H. Hoult 10yds, 2; F. Tucker 10yds, 8. 250 yds Foot; Eace— L. Broad scr, 1; D. Macsan 4yds, 2; Clowes, 3. Time— 29» sec. 440yda Foot Eace— Cromie 17yds, 1 ; E. Purchase, 2; H. Curtis 20yds, 3. Time— 66|seo. After the racqs a collection was taken up on the ground, in aid of the Library Fund of the Old Men's Home.