POLITICAL NEWS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 563, 29 January 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

(FROM oun OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, Tues lay night. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. The Governor attended at the House tc-day, and delivered his speech. The speech was very short. It stated Ministers proposed to make an exhaustive enquiry into the financial condition ot the colony in order to submit proposals to the House, which they believed would be satisfactory. I< also stated that measures relating to the administration ot public lands in the colony will be submitted, and measures which will improve the relations between Labor and Capital, and promote industrial progress. They thought that an agricultural department could bs organised without extra cost to the colony. OPPOSITION—DUAL LEADERSHIP. The members of the late Ministry held a caucus last night. The principal question discussed was that ot the leadership. The general opinion was that it was undesirable to elect an organising leader for the present session, and that it would be preferable to appoint a Committee to direct the tactics ot the party tor the present. Messrs Bryce and Rolleston were appointed tor that purpose. CENSURING THE GOVERNOR. Mr Fish pave notice of motion in the House censuring the Governor for appointing certain members to the Council on the recommendation of a defeated Ministry, and described the Governor's conduct as improper, unconstitutional, and fraught with danger to the interest of the colony. The Speaker thought the resolution could not be moved, but took time to look into the matter. THE DISMISSED RAILWAY’ MEN. A deputation waited on the Premier in regard to tile Bailway Commissioners and tba employees. The Premier pointed out that the Government had no direct control over the Commissioners, but undertook to lay the matter before them. LABOR AND CAPITAL. Mr Rees intends to propose in the House that New Zealand take the in'tia tive in promoting a pan-Anglican Conference on Labor and Capital. Yesterday. JOTTINGS. Mr Clutha McKenzie, being incensed at the Council appointments, is said to have been estranged from the Atkinson side of the House. Mr Fish's eensure upon the Governor has been ruled out ot order. Mr Taipua is urging ths Government to make a call ot some Maoris to the Council. Needless to add, Mr Taipua gets laughed at. Mr T, McKenzie has asked the Premier whether a Bill will be introduced to limit Legislative Council appointments to a term not exceeding seven years. It is said that Mr Fisher has to thank Mr W. Hutchison, whom the former defeated some years ago, tor his rejection from the position of Chairmen ot Committees. Mr Ward has charge of the Post and Telegraph Department, but does not receive a Minister's salary. Mr George Hutchison is moving for an enquiry into the position of the New Plymouth Harbor Board. The Swiss referendum form of government is being given some attention by a large number of membars, and some are warmly In favor of party government being displaced by the Swiss principle. The Premier, however, is believed have littlo faith in the referee." dum,

In the House yesterday Mr Fergus gave notice of a Bill, the object of which is to provide that any member of Parliament who is charged while acting in a public capacity of accepting bribes, shall be tried by commission, and if found guilty be expelled from Parliament, and disqualified from ever sitting. In the House this afternoon there was introduced a Bill to amend the Native Land Act, 1889. The Bill consists of two clauses, and embodies the decision arrived at by the late meeting of Northern members. The Bill was read a first time. The second reading was fixed for to-morrow. Mr Joyce will ask Government tomorrow if during the recess they will make enquiries as to the best methods to secure belter markets in Europe for frozen meat. Mr Joyce also asks to be informed whether Government during the recess will communicate with the Canadian Government, or arrange for an interview when the Canadian Commissioner is in this colony, and endeavor to get a terminal point in New Zealand for the prepaid Canadian-Pacific telegraph cable. Mr R. M. Taylor introduces a Labor Bill somewhat on the lines of that introduced by Sir George Grey a few years back, and which provides, when a fitting opportunity offers, that Government will purchase the coal mines and work them. Messrs Harkness and Wright have been appointed Opposition whips. The vacant seat in the Ministry was offered to Mr Goldie, but was declined by him. The matter was settled in Cabinet this morning, and it has transpired that the seat will be offered to Mr Cadman. The Speaker s reason for ruling Mr Fish’s motion, criticising the action of the Governor, out of order was that the Governor is not responsible to the Colonial Legislature, but to the Crown only. The Premier, in replying to a question, stated that Government does not intend to take any extraordinary business which would delay bringing the session to an end. It would, he hoped, be closed next week. The Government have gone into the question of a recess carefully, and it appeared to them that in order to bring down a policy as complete as possible, the House should meet again towards the end of May. The Address in Reply was being taken at 7.30 to-night. On Friday Mr O’Conor will move that the maintenance of Hospitals and Charitable institutions be provided for by special taxation, derived from wealth, not as at present, principally from people through local taxation, and the consoli* dated funds.

Gisborne Harbor Works.

[srECUL TO Till STANDARD.] It it bs true that there was any report ot the Gisborne Harbor works being taken over, I cannot trace it to its aouroe. There may hive been winks and the “ you know ” a. rt of indication, but experienced oorrespondmll take no more notice of that sort ot thing than they do of the way Ministers part their hair. I dare say any Government would be quit* willing to do what seems to be desired according to a report o! a recent meeting ot the Board. No Government would surely object to taking your money and spending it for you, without having any real responribility themselves, but I fancy it could be done belter under local control—those who thiuk other*ire must be of a very trusting nature. More than that there is little present hope of getting from any Ministry, in the face of each a repdrt as that of Mr G'Oonnor. The Wellington Times has a satirical article say. Ing that the breakwater has been so successful that a spit has formed on the opposite side of the river, but other localities would be glad to get out of their mess so cheaply. It says that the whole queetion should receive the attention of the new Parliament. But no Government dare continue such experiments with public funds.

In a late number of the Tinies the following remarks were made “Mr O Connor has propose! to iha people ot Gisborne a compromise ot their fight with the ocean. They want to make a harbor which shall rival everything in creation. He saye, ‘ perfectly you can have one for email boats.’ In all probability Mr O’Connor is now regarded io Gisborne ae something between a Judas and Barnabas. If he is not it will be a proof that there is, after all, some common sense in Gisborne. There ought to be. The place has paid m .ney enough to get some sense. At all event! good sense is the only return it esn expect for most of its expenditure. It may be doubtful whether the sm filer harbor is within reach of the mesne at the disposal of the Gisborne Harbor Board. It ia quite certain that everything more than Mr O'Connor recommends should be rigorously refuted.”