POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 624, 23 June 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[special to the standabd.j Wellington, last night. Mr Shrimiski is asking Government to legislate to prevent the mortgaging of insurance policies. Mr Seddon is introducing measures abolishing naturalization fees except for Chinamen. Mr Percival is now looked upon as certain for the Chairmanship of Committees. Mr Reeves is introducing a Bill to prevent brewers and wine merchants having interests in any hotels. The Colonial Treasurer intends to pay off the bonds that have fallen in owing to the general fall in securities. Government has agreed to extend the Tobacco Act three years, and thus give local growers the benefit of the rebate for that time. Mr Seddon announces that plans are ready for several important works which will shortly be let on the co-operative principle. The Government’s financial proposals have lost favor somewhat, and the tax on improvements on large' estates is condemned. Mr George Hutchison is introducing a Bill providing for State aid to denominational education. Captain Fraser, M.L.C., is seriously ill. Mr Duncan is to be chief clerk of the Public Trust Office as soon as he can be spared from the Post Office, at per annum. The present chief clerk, Mr DeCastro, receives £[4oo. Mr Warburton receives £650 as Deputy Trustee. It is pointed out that under the financial proposals Building Societies that receive money on mortgages will have to pay the tax on this money, though it is not their own.