PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 9131, 4 June 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

. [ By Electeio Xbljeobaph. ] (from our special correspondent.) Wellington, June 3. It is pretty Troll understood now that Sir George Grey lias boon practically dethroned from the leadership of the Opposition. It was found on comparing notes that only a faithful few were prepared to go " the Grey, the whole Grey." The remainder of the old party say, " We will elioer the old man when he rises, and applaud him when he sits down, but we draw the line at that." Even some of his old Auckland admirers h-ivo become completely disillusioned. Mr Speight seems to have stepped into the boots of Mr Res as Sir George fircy's friend and walking-stick. They are inseparable. It is very freely stated that Sir George Grey's opposition to the Property Tax Bill arises solely from lh'3 fact that he is possessed of so much property in the colony — £107,01)0 it is said, and that his contribution to th^ revenue under the Act would be &LQGO a-year, which, in his estimation, outweighs the whole human race. The report of the Native Commission is being hurried a'ong. A go>d d.-al of interest is being felt in it, and much hadinage goes on in the lobbies about tho Commissioners giving away all the Plains. The Commissioners laugh. There is a whisper that the .Native Department will not much longer remain a mystery, and if allowed to exist at nil must do so in a simpler and much-diminished form. The Opposition, whether in the lobbies or in the Chamber, are as quiet as sleeping babes. The party seems to be absolutely inert and voiceless. The House went into Committee on the Regulation of Elections Bill. That was the only thing on, and it is likely to be vi\ there will be for to-night. There are passages in one of the despatches from the Secretary of State which says that a Colonial pensioner in the colony has been allowed to draw part of his pension as a gratuity, and to that amount to defraud the Imperial Treasury. Sir M. Hicks-Beach says the Cabinet has seriously considered the abolishment of the payment of any more pensioners in the colonies, and would do so if such a thing occurred again. Who is the ingenious pensioner that could work such an oracle It is said that Mr Ballance is becoming excessively amiable towards Sir G. Grey, with the hope, it is hinted, of getting the scattered forces of the Opposition to close up their ranks ; but it is not anticipated that anything can come of it. The new Native Lands Bill is published. It is somewhat on the same principle as the Bill brought in by the late Sir Donald McLean some years since, by which Native land can be sold by the Goverhment for the Natives, the proceeds of all sales to be paid to the Keeeiver of Land .Revenue, and by him to the Public Trustee. Out of the gross proceeds of the sale are to be paid the cost of survey, fees of Court, cost of advertising, duties payable to Crownone per cent to the Receiver of Land Revenue. Not loss than ten or niore than thirty per cent is to bo paid to the Land Board for the purpose of making roads. On completion of the purchase a certificate of title is .to be issued under the Land Transfer Act. Land taken for roads is to be free of cost if not more than five acres in every hundred, excluding past cultivation, &c, but which, if taken, will be compensated. The Native Land Court has power to investigate title and determine status of lands over which, tho Government has alien. '