POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 323, 11 July 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE LATENT FROM THE HOUSE. [rBOM OUR OWK oorrespoxdent.] Wbllixgtok, Wednesday. The member for Thorndon intend* asking the Government two rather inconvenient question* referring to the Oarnaru district, which ia represented in Parliament by the Colonial Secretary. The first question given notice of by Dr Newman ia whether the Treaaurer will lay on the table the conditions under which £30,000 of the colony’s trust fund* have been lent upon the broken Oamaru breakwater ! The second question ia why £9300 truat funds have bean lent upon the Oamaru gas debenture* 1 Mr Scobie Mackenzie thinks that the Premier’s motion for a Committee to enquire into the affairs of Harbor Boards is an indirect mancouvre to get the New Plymouth Harbor taken over by the colony. The claims of the Greymouth harbor were urged on the attention of the Minister for Public Works by Mr Guinness, the member for the district. He alao introduced a deputation to tha Minister to discuss matters relating to that work. In reply to the deputation the Minister for Public Works stated that he could not at proaont make public hit proposals with reference to the matter, but he intended to submit them to the Cabinet, and they would then bo embodied In the Public Works Statement.

It seems that under the existing law auctiontars are prohibited from owning hotel properties. Whan Mr Samuel's Auctioneers' Bill is in committee Mr Valentine will introduce a clause having tor its object the removal of this restriction, It ia now rumoured that the Government threaten to resign if the country members maintain their attitude with respect to the quota. The rumour arose thuswise:—Mr Lance informed the Premier that the country members intended to insist upon thirtythree and one-third per cent,, and the Premier replied, •’ Then you’ll have to put another Ministry on the benches if you do.” Presumably this was an attempt at “ bluff,” but tends to show bow affairs are drifting over the country against town difficulty. . The Legislative C.-ucoll Reform Bill will be considered by the Upper House next week, and Dr Pollen will move that it be read a second time that day six months. If I understand the feeling of the Lords aright, the measure is certain to be thrown out. The members of the Lower House are subscribing funds for the relief of the family of ths late Mr Levestam, ex-member for Nelson. So far upwards of £64 has been collected, and before the list closes probably £lOO will be raised.

Last session on the defeat of the Fair Rent Bill in the Council, the Government undertook to make enquiries with a view to affording relief to those deferred-payment and perpetual leaseholders of the Crown who were in arrears and could not pay the rente which their holdings stood them in. During the recess the Commissioners of Crown Lands aud Rangers have been making enquiries with a view to recommending reductions of rents in certain oases, and the Minister of Land* will introduce a Bill, probably of one operative clause, having for it* object the validation of the new valuations.

Last night. The debate of last night has had a very marked effect on the member* in regard to the Haro system, and it is intended to take a division on the question. The number* will probably prove closer than anticipated, especially as the town representatives are beginning to reoognise the obvious fact that the proportion of the system of proportionate representation affords the best means of conserving the rights of their constituents as against the attempt of the country members to secure a monopoly of political power by a 33J quota.