Parliamentary Notes.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6363, 8 November 1887, Page 2

Parliamentary Notes.

(FROM OUR SPKOIAL BIPOBTBB,)

Wbluhoton, November 7. BEFOBH OF THB EBGIBLATITB COUirOIL.

A motion to be made in the Legislative Council to-morrow by Bir F. Whitaker, and of which I informed you some days ago, relative to certain reforms in the .Council, has been a topic of general conversation to* day, and various opinions are expressed on the proposal to reduce the number of mem* hers in the Council. As may well be supposed, not many are to be found opposing the proposal as to nmnbeif on that ground alone, as there are few who are not of opinion that the Council is already too large for the requirements of the colony. The objection is altogether on the ground that the number is proposed to be fixed by statute. This, it is contended places representative Government in danger, as the Council could then ignore the will of the people as expressed by the House of Bepresentatives, and no fresh members could be called to Parliament to giro effect to that will. This point appears to be convincing, though there may be something in constitutional law to get over the difficulty. On this we shall probably be informed by S<r Frederick when he moves in the matter to* morrow. A &LBAM OF HOPE. In conversation with a Minister to*d»y I ! got a hint to the effect that it is not the | desire of the Government to press more heavily than possible on "small men" in the Civil Service in carrying ont their retrenchment policy. On the other hand, i the Government wish to deal with the service in a fair and just manner, being anxious to establish on a sound and equal footing officers who have been a length of time in the service and equalise salaries, whilst the salaries of those who appear to bo underpaid will be increased. It is expected a general saving will be effected on the whole. HANAWATO GOBGB. I also learned from the same source that a wrong construction appears to have been put on that portion of the Financial Statement dealing with Public Works. Many seem to think that because the Gorge nilway fund is particularly mentioned as being exhausted, the Government did not intend proceeding with the worknow. I understand the Government will place a vote for the work on the Public Works estimates, and it will then be for the House to deal with the matter. ibvbstam'b httiiß tbootlb. It will be remembered that MrLevestam occupied the time of the House a few dayi since over the ventilation of a grievance as to the members of the Upper House interfering for the purpose of influencing elections. The result has been the drafting of » bill, which render* any Legislative Councillor liable to disqualification if he ad* dresses the electors in any way by public meeting, advertisement, or circular as M.L.C., or if thot>e letters appear attached to his name in an advertisement or circular. EDUCATION. The Post to-night states that the Minister of Education has made a discovery, whioh however is not new to those intimate with the working of the Education Act, It is in effect that the compulsory school age is from 7 to 13 years of age, whilst the capitation has been paid on average attendance, including such children as attended school betweori the ages of 5 and 15. The latter part of the sentence may be new. I understand that the Government will not pay capitation except as from the age of 6 years. Another discovery, according to the Port, made by the Minister is that there is n« seventh standard, but I thonght this was pretty generally known. The expenditure on those attending school after having passed the sixth standard is to be held m unauthorised, and the practice is to be discontinued by the command of the Minister.

IB KOOTI'S SBPABTTTBB ion GISBOBBB.

The Commissioner of Police received th» following telegram to-day from Inspector Keeley, of Waikato :— " A report dated the 4th instant is just received from Constable Jones, of Te Awamutn, that he wii informed on good authority, at Kihikihi, that Te Koofci intends leaving with most of his followers on the Bth December for tin East Coast."