POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3160, 24 September 1892, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(by telkgkavu—sruciAr. couuksi"o>,t>ent). Wellington, Last Night. NAVAL AND MILITARY CLAIMS. This afternoon Captain Russell brought up the report of tiiß Naval and Military Settlers Committee. The committee recominead that the Crown Lauds Commissioners should be authorised to receive claims up to the 31st. March, 181)3,. and have authority to reconsider any claims presented to them before the 30th June, 18112, in support of which additional proof may be produced. Petitions had been received from inon who had obtained grants of lands for services in the Imperial forces, and who had subsequently enrolled in the colonial troops. The committee recommend that an applicant in that position should be entitled to a separate graat for each sot-vice. Thoclaims of men who were unable to remain on their land, owing to the hostility of natives, are recommended. The committee consider that hardship is involved in compelling a petitioner to select land in cortain localities ; they accordingly suggest that debentures of the value of the award should be issued to each petitioner proving his claim the debentures to be negotiable when used in place of cash on account of payment due for rent on perpetual lease, or as cash on account of deferred payment, :>r for actual purchase for cash. The committee has no recommendation to make as to the claims of those who while they rendered|good service against the enemy were not enrolled in any corps entitled to a grant of land. As to the position of men of the 18th Royal Irish Regiment and others similarly placed, the committee recommend that all soldiers who have served in New Zealand should be entitled to land grants if otherwise qualified, no matter when discharged, on proof being produced that they returned to and settled in this colony within twelve months from the date on which they obtained their clisC ''"CITY DISFRANCHI3KMKXT. Sir G. Whiteiuore expressed himself strongly in the Council yesterday, about the population of our chief cities. He says the cities have put themselves outside the sympathy of their country cousins, are an incubus to the country, produce nothing but objectionable legislation and are an unmixed curse to the colony. He thought thpy ought to be disfranchised but ho I would not advocate it at that stage.