POLITICAL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3331, 28 October 1871, Page 2

POLITICAL.

Since last summary Parliament baß continued its session, and a good deal of business one way or another has been got through. The Education Bill has been withdrawn for this session, it being clear to the Government tbat it would be exceedingly difficult to arrive at a satisfactory settlement in committee of the several vexed questions involved within the time reasonably at disposal for the purpose. Mr Fox further expressed his hope that delay and the consequent reflection might tend to smooth over many of the rough places, and that the subject might be approached next year with a predetermination upon all sides to give and take, thus ensuring the passing a really useful measure creditable alike to the Parliament and to the Colony. The Treasurer made a statement supplementary to the statement of the Minister of Works reported in last summary. A Public Works and Immigration Fund, into which all revenue for those purposes will go, and from which all payments will be made, is to be established. The Board of Works would bo composed, as stated by Mr Q-iaborne, but the three nominated members who would retire annually were eligible for ro-election, and in respect to them and the President the Disqualification Bill would be inapplicable. A second board, under the direction of the first one, would be established, and this latter body would have the direction of goldfields works. The Government, on the recommendation of the Board, would have the power to take the land of any Province for the purpose of settlement, on paying the province in cash the upset price of the lnnd, less the compensation to the pastoral tenants. With the land, the colony would relieve the province of a proportionate shure of the consolidated revenue. When land was required for railway construction, and the owners failed to agree with the board regarding compensation, the Government would appoint a person to hold a court to determine, with the assistance of a commissioner, appointed by a judge of the Supreme Court, what was a fair compensation. No appeal would be possible from this decision, and tho Court might refuse compensation altogether if it thought the construction of the railway would improve rather than deteriorate tho value of tho property. The claimant would have to pay the costs, if ho previously refused to accept a fair amount of compensation offered by the board. With regard to the main line of railway, the Government would have the power to decide whether they would charge tho cost on the land fund, or take land as security.or partially both. On the completion of the line the Government would capitalise the amount and fix an annual charge, doductirig a share of tho stamp duties, and any balance over working expenses, in cases where the annual charge is nob recoverable from the province. The Assembly, if it thinks fit, may recover tho amount by a local rate on the property benefited by tho line. If tho land taken is insufficient, tho board may from time to time take more. The cost of the coal mine lines will be charged against the lines, but four years will be allowed for the development of branch feeder lines. If a district petitions tho board for the construction of a line, tho board, on being satisfied as to its utility, may construct the lino, imposing a local rate to cover half the annual cusfc. A Bill simplifying Provincial Institutions was subsequently brought down. Tho Opposition, naturally enough, opposed it en masse, irrespective of its provisions, simply because it emanated from tho Government; whilst the ultra-Provincialists, headod by Mr O'Rorke, went in a header in favor of the provinces, and the ulti'a-cenfcralists condemned the measure as not going half far enough. Under these circumstances, Ministers acted with judgment in giving way to tho recommendations of their friends, and consenting to an adjournment for a week, with tho distinct understanding that it was really sine die. The Goldfields Bill, in accordance with the recommendetion of thn Goldfields Committee, was withdrawn for this session, with the view of ft more complete measure being introduced ; and also that the working of tho Mining Districts Bill, which it is desired to pass, may by that time have been tested in tho province of Auckland. This is a most excellently drawn Bill —clear, simple, and comprehensive ; and the committee appeared to think that the general measure for tho Southern Goldfielda might, with advautage, be thrown into somewhat similarly perspicuous shape. The new Insolvency Bill has been favorably reported npon by the Select Committee appointed for its construction, and will bo before the House this week. The Government are very anxious it should become law, and they will do all in their power to got it passed. There are serious doubt?, considering the state of public business and the restlessness perceptible in tho political world, whether it will survive " committee of the whole." Tho Permissive Bill —or rather The Licensing Act Amendmeut Bill —has passed a second reading without a dissentent voice. It is drawn with great care and ability by tho Premier, whose zealous advocacy of this measure wo have frequently referred to, and it is believed to contain beside tho distinctive pormissivo prohibitory principle many valuable provisions of a general clmnioter. It is very doubtful indeed if it become law this .session. Its successful passing a second reading without a dissenting "No" was mainly attributed to the argumentative and eloquent speech of tho Premier, but considerable opposition to its distinctive principle and general provisions must yet be expected. A very useful measure has passed both Houses entitled Contractors Debts Bill, making safer provision for the payment of wages to the mon employed by contractors, and, in tho case of aub-contractora being unable, making the original contractors liable for tho wages. The resolution arrived at on tho question of the Brogden contracts was fully reported in the Independrnt yesterday and in the Mail to-day. The division list is correctly given, but the numbers should have been, ayes, 47 ; noea, 15. In view of towns and villages springing up along the groat lines of railway, and through the general progress of settlement, a very useful measure lias been introduced for regulating the plans of towns. It provides that in new towns streets are to bo at least 150 links wide, and at least two leading streets at right angles with each other 200 links wido. It also makes specific provision for recreation grounds, town bolts, municipal endowments (cvory tenth quarter section in now towns being reserved as a nucleus) requires plans of towns, showing the levels and gradionts to be approved by the Governor before sale. Tho Houso of Rc-presentatirea decided by a largo majority, 40 to 20, that the next session of the General Assembly should be held at Dvinedin. Tho Legislative Council have come to an opposite decision by an equally large majority —2l to 7.

The Telegraph Inquiry, which certain journals prophesied would lead to a change of Ministry, is dragging its slow length along. Nothing has, of course, yet transpired, but if any thing damaging to the Government had been discovered it is but fair to conjecture it would have been noised abroad. After devoting great pains to the investigation of the subject with which the Chinese Immigration Committee were entrusted, they finally reported that, though it is evident that the influx of the Chinese element is distasteful to a large number of other races, and may even in some respects be objectionable, they cannot at present meet with suoh evidence as would lead thorn to recommend legislative interference.