LATEST POLITICAL NEWS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1815, 25 July 1891, Page 2

LATEST POLITICAL NEWS.

[By Telegraph.J (From our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, July 24th. Only one of the Taxation Bills has so far been brought down, and I can tell you it has caused no slight stir amongst members. The propositions are considered outrageous by a large section of the House. They are worse, in fact, than those originally proposed in the -Financial Statement. There is no doubt whatever about the Bursting-np Policy. It is therein fully evidenced. In fact, it is nothing short of pure confiscation. But no one supposes it will ever become law in its present form. The farming community generally denounce the whole scheme. The general Land Tax Bill will probably come down after the debate on the Lind and Income Tax Bill, which only deals with the graduated tax on land. The proposals on the land tax will, no doubt, be framed according to the course of feeling displayed during the discussion of the Bill now introduced. But the present idea is that all land will be taxed at Id iv the pound on valuation. The Mining Bill is being dealt with by the Mines Committee. Many amendments, I hear, will be made before the Bill reaches the House. But if these are agreed to by the Minister, and, so far as I am told, he has been amenable to reason, there is some chance of the Bill becoming law. The Gold Duty Re-imposition Bill was put down for the second reading last night, but failed to come on ; in fact, from well-informed quarters I am told it will probably be dropped altogether. It is not even printed yet. It is sure to be strongly opposed by all the goldfield members as wellaa others. Thore is no chance, I think, of its getting through, even if it came up for discussion. The Land Bill was introduced as you no doubt know, the other day, by a long aud laboured speech from the Minister of Lands. Evidently he did not feel at home in so big an undertaking as introducing a new Land Bill. His perpetual lease system, without rights of purchase, is Condemned All Round. This, and many other clauses, will probably be altered in Committee ; but, I think there is little chance of the Bill going through at all, even after it is amended. The debate on this Bill will probably go on for a day or two. The Minister of Lands has given way to some extent in the matter of Supplying Farmers' Clubs With Papers, &c, bearing on agriculture, as he has given an undertaken to Mr Valentine to send all papers, exclusive of "Hansard," likely to be of in- j terest to the settlers. However, better something than nothing. The balance may be obtained on some fnture occasion. The Payment of Members' Bill was given notice of this afternoon. It will provide for an annual payment of £240. This will suit the professional bagmen particularly, although I don't suppose any. one of the members will refuse it. Some say this is a move to stiffen up the Government party, who were rather sick of the treatment recently dealtout to them by Ministers. The action of the" party is Unfavourably Contrasted with the so-called Conservative party in the last House who cut down their salaries. The Liberals know how and when to be truly " liberal " to themselves. At any rate, many members of the deputation who waited on the Premier yesterday on the subject wanted to make the honorarium £300 a-year. The Late Mr J. C. Brown's Widow I an? told by Mr Valentine that it has been arranged that a deputation is to wait on the Premier at 10.30 to-night in connection with a compassionate grant for the widow of the late member for Tuapeka. The Legislative Council. The cautious action of Ministers is in strange contrast to their speeches. They never tired of denouncing the Railway Commissioners, but when it came to a pinch they stood by them. In the same way they have raved against the appointments to the Legislative Council, but they are Opposed to Mr Rees's Bill for cancelling them. The Bill, though carried on the voices, is not expected to come up again during the session. The Government will provide for that. Sir Geo. Grey is engaged on a measure intended to abolish the Council altogether, The veteran is confident he can carry it through the House by a large majority. Mr Fish's question relative to the dismissal of Inspector Moore and the appointment of his successor gave rise to a very lively disoussipn on Thursday afternoon. Mr Seddon assured the House the change was made entirely in the interests of the public service. Inspector Moore, while a careful officer on a small station, had not such ability for carrying on the work of a large place as Inspector Hickson had. This was the recommendation of the department to him, and he acted on it, and retained the services of the superior officer. After a number of members had taken part in the discussion, the matter was allowed to drop,

The Stock Driving Bill, drawn up by the Hon L. Walker, to provide further deterrents to sheep stealing, has passed its second reading in the Legislative Council, and was re> f erred to the Stock Committee. Wednesday has been definitely taken from private members for the rest of the session.