PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

West Coast Times, Issue 4114, 22 June 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

(BY TELEGRAPH.) [from our own correspondent.] Wellington, June 20. The following* returns wore tabled today : — Travelling expenses of Ministers for the year ending 31st March, 1882, in : excess of salary — Bryce, £350 ; Whitaker, £239 ; Hall £176 ; Johnston, £170 ; Atkinson, £129 ; Oliver, £108 ; Dick £47. A return shows the interest on New Zealand loans, whore paid, and on what principle as follows: — In London, £1,361,248, on £27,085,900 ; in New Zealand; £127,439 on £2,294,800 ; in Australia, £12,300 on £296,200. The annual report of the Government Printing Office for the year ending 31st December, 1881, shows the value of work done to bo £22,183 ; salaries and wages, £14,733 ; value of paper used, £5,443 ; the number of hands employed, ranged from 145 in August, when the house was in full swing, to 91 in December. Wellington, June 21 .

The Opposition caucus was held to-day, lasting over two hours, Mr J. W. Thomson in the chair. Very great reticence is maintained, as to what really transpired, and in order to check enquiry on the part of correspondents, the following official statement was handed to the press: — "A meeting ot the Opposition members took place to-day, at which 35 members were present, 15 others being accounted for. An agreement a 9 to combined action was come to, and it was resolved that a future meeting be held on Saturday next, at noon." I have learned further, that the decision arrived at, was that the Government propose to go into committee of supply on Friday, the Opposition will oppose until Government declare their policy* more particularly with regard to local government, and anticipated alterations in the land tax system,- also, unless the Government will name a date, within a reasonable time, when the Public Works Statement will be brought down. Sir George Grey, Messrs Sheehan, Macandrew, and Montgomery, were present, and appeared to act in perfect concert. Since the caucus was over I have spoken to several "independent" members who were not present, but who, on learning what was done, declare their entire sympathy with the tactics agreed upon.

Sir George Grey's Bill affecting pastoral leases, leave to introduce which is refused by xhe Government, on the plea that it affects the waste lands of the Crown, provides that as leases fall in, they shall be divided into areas of moderate extent, sufficient to feed, on an average, 5000 sheep, and that, in place of these being put up to auction at an upset price, a rental be fixed, and the choice decided by ballot. Sir George Grey's object is to enable men of comparatively small capital to compete with larger capitalists in the wool producing industry.