Political Notes.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XVIII, Issue 3108, 4 August 1894, Page 3

Political Notes.

(From various sources.)

The Premier of the Colony is too hardworked, says Mr Crowther. The Government cannot recognise correspondence between School Committees and Education Boards as privileged. The Hon. Mr Ward would willingly adopt penny postage in the colony but cannot at present afford it. Mr G. Hutchison desires the Government to grant aid to settlers to establish dairy factories and creameries. To my mind, the present banking system is a most gigantic method of swindling, says Mr J. A. Millar. The schedule of old soldiers’ claims is now almost ready to come before the Cabinet and its decision will be given in the House as soon as possible. Mr Mitchelson says the Government policy is in a great measure responsible for the position of the Bank of New Zealand.

Major Steward has declared in favour of Captain Russell’s amendments giving an owner extended rights of pre-emption on behalf of his family. Sir R. Stout says there are certain things in the management of the Railway Commissioners since they have been appointed that he certainly intends to bring before the House. The Minister of Justice thinks there is eufficient reason in the evidence given in the Dunedin assault case to remove Mr J. Toomey. Mayor of Green Island, from the Commission of the Peace. Above all men, the Hon John McKenzie is to move the Libel Bill—he says because he has been the most libelled of all Ministers. It will not be made a Ministerial question. Mr McKenzie says it will provide against any chance of libel in the future, so that a queer Bill may be looked

for. A grave injustice which the Lands for Settlement Bill, amend it as you please, is capable of working has been pointed out by Mr Fraser and Mr Alien. A man, say, has bought his land at £5. The market value has now fallen to £3 10s. The mau does not want to sell. He wants to hang on till times are better. Is he to be robbed of his 30s por acre ? So favourably was the Bauk of New Zealand legislation received throughout the Colony, said Mr McLachlan, the member for Ashburton, last night, that in liis district even the ministers in the pulpits mentioned the Government with respect. This rather surprised the House. “ Did they pray for them r” queried another member. “ Yee, they pray for all sinners,” was the enigmatic reply. During the month of June 1508 persons arrived in the colony as against 1714 departures. The arrivals were as follows : —From tho United Kingdom 141, New

South XVales 1044, Victoria 202, Tas mania GO, other places GO. Departures— United Kingdom 155, New South Wales 1264, Victoria 155, Tasmania 37, other places 103. “ Bounce, bombast, bunkum, and bathos,’’ is bow the Post describes the Premier’s speech on the Budget. It says : —“Tho manner of delivery was truly Seddonian. Tho Premier began by ‘wisibly swelling.’ With a deep voice, intended to be pathetic, he struck atti tades ; ho roared so loudly that the pressmen in tho gallery could hardly make out what he said, and somo went to bed with splitting headaches from the noise. Tho voico, tho attitude, and the matter can only he heard and seen at an entertainment given by dark coloured minstrels when Massa Johnson delivers a stamp oration.” Mr T. Mackenzie wants to know if the Colonial Treasurer expects members to go down on their knees when they want in formation on tho state of public finances

Mr E. M. Smith wishes to know whether considering that several practical and scientific scheme s have been submitted to the Government through tho Stock Department, for the total destruction of rabbits on runs, and considering the curse they are to Now Zealand, the Government will be prepared to offer a substantial bonus io money and land to aDy person or persons who shall, without the shadow of a doubt, prove that they can do what they state in their proposals—namely, the total destruction of rabbits—in accordance with conditions required, and published by the New Zealand Government ?