POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 619, 11 June 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[special to thb’standabd.l Wellinston, last night. The Hon. Mr Cadman informs me that a wrong impression has been caused by the reports of the Hon. J. MeKexzie’s speeoh on the purchase of large estates for land settlement. It has been concluded that the scheme would admit of jobbery; but the Government intended to submit each proposal to Parliament for valuations, and allow the House to decide each purchase on its merits.

Nothing definite has been decided abupt the Chairmanship of Committees, but Mr Ham lin seems the most likely, and Captain Russell will probably assume the leadership of the Opposition. The Address-in Reply to the Governor's speeoh will be moved by Mr McGuire and seconded by Mr Buick In the House of Representatives. The Colonial Secretary has found a difficulty to get anyone to act in this capacity in the Legislative Council, and has so far been unsuccessful.

The debate on the Address-in-Reply promises to extend well into next week. The Hon. G. F. Richardson is understood to be preparing a reply to the Hon. McKenzie’s speeoh. It is to be delivered in the course of the debate.

Notwithstanding the depression, the Financial Statement to be brought down on Friday week, is expected to be of an encouraging character, and will show a small bona fide surplus. The Government will stand or fall by their taxation proposals, involving the abolition of the Property Tax, and the adoption of a Land and Income Tax. The exact nature of the proposals has not] yet been divulged, but there is good reason to believe there will be an all round exemption, considerably less than the Property Tax exemption, and a substantial recognition of improvements. There will be a large amount of legislation dealing with the coal industry, but it is improbable the Government will this Session move in the direction of Sir George Grey’s proposed Nationalisation of the coal mines. Mr Bees has promised to introduce a bill requiring the Bailway Commissioners to give Vaile’s scheme a trial on a section of the Auckland railway. I am inclined to believe the proposal will be more favorably received than hitherto.

A provision will be made in the Land Bill, making dummyism punishable by imprisonment, and throwing the onus of prosecution on the Land Boards. On being satisfied that his seat has become vacant in ths Council Mr Wigley has written to the Government urging reasons for his reappointment, chiefly on the ground that his absence was rathar his misfortune than his fault, The evidence taken by the Public Trust Commission is far stronger than anything yet published would indicate. lam assured that the report will show that the changes in the higher officers of the Trust Office are absolutely demanded. Mr Hamerton, the Public Trustee, applied for and re calved three months' leave of absence. The Government are retiring Mr DeOastro, the Chief Clerk, and Mr Wilson, solicitor. Mr Warbuton will ba asked to recommend an officer from the civil service for the chief clerkship. The Governor’s speech will be somewhat lengthy, and will outline the policy of the Government, which is already pretty fully indicated by the Ministerial utterances, and touching very lightly on the taxation proposals upon which most of ths session will no doubt eventuate. It tnay be taken for granted that the speech will contain very little new, but will put in a concise form the intentions of the Government, and will give rise to a prolonged debate.