POLITICAL NEWS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 564, 31 January 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

LATEST ITEMS FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT. (I'ROM OUB OWN CORRKSPONPXST.) Wellington, last night. The Premier states that Government will during the recess go into the question of the Customs’ tariff, with a view of reducing alleged anomalies in it. A Bill introduced by Mr Joyce, to amend the Divorce and Matrimonial Act, has been read a first time, as also a Bill to amend the Small Birds Nuisance Act, 1882. In the course of Mr Rolleston’s speech he moved that a clause be inserted in the Address-in-Reply to the effect that the House recommends the Governor to adjourn the House for a suitable recess instead of a formal prorogation. The Government took the amendment as want of confidence motion. On a division being taken it was lost by 35 to 24, and the Address was adopted. Mr T. MacKenzie has asked Government if they will consider the justice of abolishing the stock tax on sheep. Mr Rees’ Bill to amend the Native Land Laws Amendment Act, 1890, has been circulated. It provides for the extension of the time for making application on the question of the validity of alienation oflandto 18 months ; for appointment of a Commission of three to enquire into and report on the present state of Native Land Laws in the colony, and suggest remedies ; and for the Governor in Council to have power to stay ail suits ox actions of any sort regarding any land titles affected by the Act which tnis amends, but not to determine any cause. Mr W. Thompson asked the Meister for Education if, during theTecess, arrangements would be made to place the control of native schools under the Boards of Education.

A proposal for the reduction itl the land rate of postage from 2d to id, and the free transmission of newspapers, has been placed by Mr R. H. Reeves before the Postmaster-General for consideration.

The announcement in the House of Mr Cadman’s acquisition to the Government was received with enthusiastic applause. The absence of Mr Goldie, who is an irreclaimable economist will be a cause of joy to civil servants. After four o’clock this afternoon the Premier announced the/adjournment of the House till Tuesday, and the proroga. will take place to-morrow.

Wellington, Tburaliy night. Mr Csdman has accepted Ihe portfolio of Native Minister. Captain Baillie has been appointed Chairman of Comrnitlo-ra of the Couoeil. Mr Parata is urging for a reduction of ths stamp duty on native land transactions, The Premier states that the petition to ths Governor in regard to Council appointments will be forwarded to the Secretary of Stele. The Premier promised to give consideration to Mr Taipua’s request that some natives be appointed to the Council. He recognised that ih-y had a right to be considered. Not content to let sleeping dogs lie Mr Mitchelson wanted to know why the G rvernment had a<lj mrned the Auckland Hospital enquiry, and also it this had been done on the alvree of counsel for Mies Brnab >ldie (Mr Ree.-). Tne Minister of Justice said counsel hid never applied to him on the matter. Mr Rees then rose and went into the details of the affair, and Mr Mitchelson came out of it second best. Mr R. Thompson started an unpleasant discussion ovr-r charges against the late Mr Sperry, who had b en Property Tax Cota* misrioner. Th i speaker was very bitter and once had to be called to order. Ha eaid Sir Harry Atkinson ha>< acted in a cowardly and unmanly manner in allowing a letter to be pub i-hid accusing him (Thompson) of slandering the dead. The speaker went on to justify himself. Captain Russell replied io a telling speech, saying that in cooler moments Mr Th >mpson would feel bitter ahame at the language he had j ist used. Tbc general opinion was (hat Mr Thompson had ao• e<l very foolishly. Mr Rees, in moving that the House place on record its deep regret at the enforced retirement of Sir Cteorge Orey, delivered nn eulogium on the veteran Mr R-.-ea ir f 4'le a brilliant speech, and was warmly applauded. The Premier seconded the motion, and also referred to Sir George Grey in high terms of praise. Messrs Rolles t«n, Scobie McKenzie, and others also spoke, including Mr Buick, whose flrat speech |u the House created a very favorable impression. Mr Wuipawa Smith was elected Chairman of Committees by a majority of twp. Messrs Fisher and Palmer voted against. Messrs Rees an 1 Kelly voted with th* Government. Through an omission on the part of the new Speaker the appointment was not properly made, and wm shelved for the time being. The Address m Reply was moved by Mr Jackson l'aimer. There was the usual speechifying. Mr Pinkerton, a Labor candidate, seconding the motion. Mr

Taranaki Smith made an eccentric speech at which flippant members laughed, and dignified members felt grieved. The leading speech on the Opposition side was that of Mr Scobie McKenzie, who called the Speech a poverty-stricken document, and got off the usual platitudes In' dvndncration. He said Mr B dlanoe had called Judge Edwards an impostor, and wanted to know why therefore au impostor was allowed to remain on the Bench. He twitted the Government with not desiring to keep-to its pledges, said the country was against them on all poliiical questi> ns, that it was only the accident of the labor trouble that had put them in power, and accuse t them of be.ng guilty of the ignoble action of aspem* cling for a few days and drawing honorarium for the two sessions. Mr W, P, Reeves, Minister of Bducatioo. subsequently got up, and created greaj amusement by the way in which ho “ took down ” Mr McKei Zie. bsaides makb-g out an excellent case fur the Government and getting in some hard knocks at Obe Opposition. Tbo debate was not finished when the House rose.

The Premier, on being interviewed by Messrs Kelly, Rees, and Bryce, agreed to take up Mr Rees’ Native Bid. This afternoon Mr 8 her a gave notice that an address be presented to tho Governor, praying that Sir George Urey be called to the Counoi*,

Mr Carroll is urging a reduction in the heavy Native Land Court fees. Government promise to move in the direc* tion of divi ling city electorates, so that an elector must only vote for one candidate. A reduction is to be made on native land stump duty. The usual weary speechifying on the Address in Reply was resumed at 3 3U. Mr R >ll eat on made the principal speech, specially singling out the Hon. Mr Beeves, and severely criticising his remarks. He repeated the same old dreary charges against Mr Ballance, proving in bis own mind that the lare Government had narrowly escaped being saints, while there was some doubt whether the Ballance administration bad escaped being the reverse. The main point on which the differanoe rested was in regard to the two honorariums, the Opposition party pretending to be horrified that the Government would per* mil of two honorariums, while on the other hand the Government party think there is a good deal of Peckrnlffiun flavor about the protest, seeing that the Atkinson Govern, ment were responsible for the early seaafan, and clung on to office though they knet* they were defvatedi

Mr Fish having stated that Mejnr Scully *N receiving pay fcr ooina nothing but plaprg soldiers at Queenstown, Mr Baljenoe sail erquiries would be made and the officer would be retrenched if the assertion were correct. A Select Committee has been appointed to enquire into New Plymouth Harbor Board financial affairs. Mr Cadman assumes the portfolio of Hospital and Charitable Aid, as well as that of Native Minister. During the recess Government intend to take steps to Rte if a reciprocal tariff can be established wi h New Scuih Wales. Delegates are to be appointed to the Federal C nveution. Mr •• Di< k ” Beeves gave notice that the BCtion of he late Goven me nt in connection wi'h app dmments to the Council, in view <i an agreement made by Sir Harry A’kinsnn, is unconsri utionai and highly jepithensible, and deserves the cereure'of -the House. In reply to Mr Fish’s question in reference to the circulating <f voting papers amongst women, od taking the next cent-us, so as to enable them to vole as to whether they desi’e the franchise to te ex ended io them, the Premier raid there were many difficulties in the way of obtaining such an •y--pre sion of opinion. He ’houghs the difiiculiie would be too great to warrant Government acting on the suggestion In answer to a qrestion by Mr J. Thompson, as to tie intention of the Government to abolish the prcpeity tax, the Premier said the Government wue Rpmg into the whole taxation question next tension, and piobably measures w< old be brought in dealing with the whn]e question. Mr Saunders h» f‘ nr-d out a queer blunder in the School Cctßimtues Election Act. Cause 3 provides t!;ar the names of candidates mav be sei t in to the Chairman of •chcol commit’ees on or btfore the third Monday in April. Cause 4 requires the chairman to pos’ up such names on the tbiid Tuerday in Apr 1, a> d as the third Tuesday in April may occur six days before ’he third Monday tha Aot al surdly r- quires the chairman, under certain circumstance'’, to post up the names of candidates six days before he has received them. Tbs present Hr use of Kepresent ativeg only contains one m»mb?r who po.-sesses an Impenal dtetinc ion, The Uis House contained Do less than Fix gentlemen who had received ■fecial marks of Her Majesty’s favour—Sir George Grey, KGB ; Nir Harry A'kimon, K.C.M.G ; ’Sir John Hall, KCMG. ; Sir Mau>ire O R< rke, K . ; Mr Lan acb, C.M G. ; and Mr Bicbardf-on, C.M <▼, Ihe previous Hm ee contained eeven auch members, as Sir Robert S'out, K C M.G , aleo eat in i . Now Sir John Hall is tte sole repiesentative of luch dis'inc'inns I now unfit rstand that Mr Bees informed Mr B<l hDce that he had no with to be awarded a seat in the Cabinet, so long aa fair consideration was accord'd to his viewa on native matters. This version is rai her different to the one that said Mr Bees objected to t*ke a seat because bis ▼lews on native matters w- re not acceptable. The weak point in Mr Bees* proposals is considered to be that of relegating so much power to Committees, but his idea If that these men should be trusted the Same as anyone in resp nsibility must be. The To*’, oiscossir g Mr K-4 y’s qualifications for Native Mini- ter, states:—Mr K lly represents a Urge and important district con tuning the moat important section of the Native population mainly interested in the vexed question cf native ti'les. On this subject. which urg»ntly demands immediate settlement by leg-elation, Mr K“lly ia no doubt well versed, but it H a' least open to doubt whether bis personal acquaintance with the suf j Of and intimate a 6’Ciation with tb'se mainly iniere-ted is a qualification orntherwi-e for a seat in th- Minis ry. Mr Cadman’s appointment would probably be the more popular, and add the greater streng h to the combination entrusted with the Government of the country for probably a long time to come, if they act prudently and Wisely. By their work they must be judged. Mr Taranaki Smith, if not learned, is not proud. He was the Borough lamp lighter before hie election, he is so yet. At the last meeting of the Borough Council, it war decided to accept Mr Smith’s tender of £1 5s

per week for lighting the Borough lamps. Leave of absence was recommended to Mr Smith during his Parliamentary duties, and that the substitutes proposed by him should be accepted, and that h-s son (one of the snbsiitut'B) should g-ve his whole time to Borough duties during the time no lamps are |igh'ed ( Mr W P, Reeves is eminently qualified for the portfolios of Education and Justice. A ■journalist of ability, a member <f the legal profession, a brilliant and incisive speaker, ODe of ’he best debaters in the House, and senior member for Christchurch, no exception can be t'ken to his inclusion in the Ministry, except it be that of his youth. This is a fault which will mend eve»y day and a general impression prevails that Mr Reeves possesses g head a good many years older than the Eboulder- which support it.—Post. The Press writes:—We h«-ar that the Skinflint Party. whi< h has gained a considerab'e accession of strength, by the late e’ectioDs, are already beginning to “ reckon Up ” some of the positions intend to Attack, There seem* to be a feeling amongst, gome the new members thit “ten bo‘> a day a 1! the year round, wet or fine ”is a good enough •* j-crew ” for anyone Hence an assault on the sa'aries attached to the two Speakerships are being discussed, Prison management is k-enly ciitii i-ed, and certain high i fficial intha' department will certainly be ** sweated.” There is an opinion, too, amengat the new members that the Civil Serv ce ig va>tly ove»manned, and th by ama gama’fr g offices about half the staff may be dispensed with, while at the same time, the salaries of the remainder, being in most cages gt ill above the •• ten bob day ” basis. W> ! h 88 a matter of grace, not be interfered wi’h if they can manage to get through the Rouble work. Mr W, P. Beeves is a clever young journalist, one of'he principal shareholders of the Lyttelton Times newspaper, and its editor, In the House be is fluent of speech, and cocsaionally bumeroue. Mr Buckhy represent, d he Rtout Vogel Government in the Legislative Council, when, in Gilbertian language, he did nothing in par ica'ar, and did it very wet!. Mr John McKenzie, the gta'wsrt Scotchman, 1. a practical agriculturist living upon his 600 acre farm in the Otego district, tie has for years been Mr Ballance’- euten.nt, a string advocate for liberal Isnd law,, and the most vigoious ausi'ant of Mr Maxwell when he was general manager of railways. T *