POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2496, 10 July 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BY TKLKGIUPH—OWN' CORRKSPOXDEXT.)

WiauxiiTOK, Siitnrdiiy. IMPORTANT TO DAIRY FARUKRS. A MKETIXG of members interested in the support mid establishment of dairy factories was hold on Friday, to further the work undertaken by Mr McCallum, who has been temporarily appointed by tho Government as instructor in dairy factory work, Mr Buchanan was in the chair, there being also present :—Ca])tain Russell, Messrs Onnond, Tanner, Graham, Hul.chinsou, Wilson, Monk, Marcliant, H. Thompson, Wliytc, Jackson, Lawry, M>nit, and Anderson. It wag decided on Mr Anderson's n\ >t\on, that the Government conimunicato with chairmen of county councils and the local bodies, informing them that Mr McCallum lias b«en appointed for the purpose of Riving instructions in dairy factory works. A committee waa afterwards appointed to meet Mr McCallum to confer with him as to the route he should take, and the districts it is desirable he should visit first. I understand Mr McCallum is likely to go to Hastings in connection with tho dairy factory, which is spoken of as being likely to be established there.

Monday. THTC NATIVE POLICY.

A meeting of Opposition members, including Col. Frazer, Messrs Ballance, Kelly, Smith, Eitzherbert, and Cadman, was held this morning to consider some detinite line of action with respect to the native policy Bills. After some discussion several amendments wero proposed in the various bills. Ono was that in tho Native Land Court Bill a clause should be inserted providing that any land upon which the Court may adjudicate shall, at the time i> t adjudication, be so sub-divided by the Court that tho number ot owners included in anyone certificate of title shall not exceed twenty, who shall be tenants in common, the area of each owner being equal. It was decided to propose a new clause to tho effect that no person or company, after the passing of the Act, shall hold by purchase from any person more than 5,000 acres of native land, the same rule to apply to leaseholders, but the quantity in that case not to exceed 15,000 acres. Mr Ballnncc was induced to agree to this amendment, although he was strongly in favour of malein" the limit 2,000 acres. A further amendment moved was that all leases shall contain the principle of tenant right, and all the improvements shall belong to the tenant at the end of the term. The meeting intends submitting tho various amendments to the jSativo

Minister, and it is expected he will agree ;„ them, iuwhicb case the passing of the Bills are assured. Another meeting is to be ,ield on Wednesday. A MAORI DEPUTATION. A large deputation of natives, accompanied by tlic native members of Parliament, wailed on the Premier and INative Minister this nmrninpj in connection with the native, policy Bills of the Government. The deputation stated, with respect to the measure dealing with native lauds, that they were satisfied with the proposals so far as they gave freetrade in the land, but they took' exception to the clauses which subjected their land to taxation similar to European lands. They argued that the time had not arrived, and the circumstances surrounding their lands were different to the state of European lands, and they asked the Government to withdraw legislation in that respect until such time as those dilfcroncjs had been done away with. Tho L'reimer promised to consider the objections, and explained that when the Bill now before the House had passed the second reading a joint committee of members of both Houses qualified to deal with the subject would be appointed to suggest amendments, which the Government would favourably consider. Mr Sydney Taiwhanga strongly advocated Hmno Rule for the natives, but the Premier said it was absurd to expect that there should be one Government for the Europeans and one for the Maoris. The bast Coast natives disclaimed any sympathy with the Home Rule business, but the extreme northern section took Sydney's view of the matter. PARLIAMENTARY OPKICEUS. It is said that the Government disclaim tho desire which has been imputed to them to make tho salaries of the Parliamentary officers dependent upon the annual vote of the House, and changeable at the caprice of the dill'ercnt Ministers. They quite agree that the amounts should be fixed by Statute, as some of them are already," but they claim that the officers' services shall bo available during tho recess for departmental use. The subject will ii»ain be brought before the Government, who will accept the decision of the. majority on it, and will not make it in any sense a party question. THE ASHLEY SEAT. It is reported that both Mr Bryce and Mr Kwlleston have definitely declined to contest the Ashley seat. Tho name of Mr McMillan, who represented the old Coleridge electorate in the last Parliament is mentioned as a probable candidate, as also that of Mr Jno. OHivier, late provincia auditor for the Canterbury district, and one of the pioneers of that settlement.

NATIVE TAXATION. It is thought not improbable that the Government will be compelled to abandon that portion of the Native Land Bill relating to taxing native lands owinj to the determined opposition of the native members, the only clause to which they offer any particular objection. Many members consider that Ministers might fairly give way on this point, especially as they consider it will be a most dinicult matter to rate native lands until the titles are properly individualised. MR WITHY'S RESOLUTIONS. I understand that if the House accepts Mr Withy's resolution to reduces the expenJiture by £100,000, which the Retrenchment Committee uxpect will be carried by a goiid majority, tins Government will give effect to it by reducing the wages of labourers in its omiiloy to a maximum of six shillings per day, those iimw receiving less than seven shillings suffering » corresponding reduction. The pay of the police will also be reduced.