PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Western Star, Issue 1573, 24 June 1891, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(From our Exchanges.) An absentee tax on all persons and companies living outside the colony who derive an income or provision of £3OO and upwards from New Zealead is to be moved for by Mr R. H. Reeves, member for Inangabua. The Inebriates Home Bill (Mr Shera) proposes to raise funds for the maintenance of such homes by taxing tickets for all places of amusement to the extent of one penny of every shilling. Mr George Hutchison is abcmt to introduce the bill in aid of Cathalic education. In urging upon the Government the desirabilityof assisting dairying and other industries, Mr Thomas Mackenzie has pointed out tbat although the colony now exports over £300,000 worth of dairy produce there is great room for improvement. In reply the Minister of Agriculture stated thata great'deal had already been done in the direction indicated by the appointment of an expert, and as this gentleman had been unable to overtake the work, the Government proposed to ask the House to employ two other experts for tbe ensuing summer months. The Government arc endeavouring to encourage tbe establishment of small dairy factories throughout the colony, and will afford every possible aid in that direction ; but they cannot undertake, on account of tbe expense, to establish peripatetic dairies, as suggested by one member. Much dissatisfaction has been created anion.!? the advocates of denominational education Roman Catholics especially—by the Minister of Education's curt "No," in reply to Mr Fisher's question whether-the Government intended to introduce a measure analogous to Mr Pyke's Private Schools Bill. That question and its explanation were, of course, designed to embarrass the Government, and they certainly seem to have succeeded in doing so with the Roman Catholics. The Hons. Ballance, Buckley and Ward are bound to support their claims, and a meeting of members of that church is to be convened to consider the situation. Meanwhile another attempt will be made to force the hand of tbe Government, and to compel those Ministers who stand committed to the principle of denominationalism. and to force the question. It is understood that Mr G. Hutchison intends to move in the matter by introducing a bill for State aiding denominational schools. A sharp battle is impending on this old vexed question.