POLITICAL NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1686, 13 October 1887, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[FROM OUR ° WN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, October 12 A meeting of members desirous of Bible * Reading m Schools was held th's morning, at whioh the following were present : 3 — Col. Brett, Messrs Barmooat, Holmes, ' Baillie, Reynolds, Menzles (Chairman), M.L.O's ; Sir J. Hall, Messrs Allen, 9 Anderson , Buxton, Cowan. Feldwiok, 1 Fish, Fulton, Hodpklnaon, Joyop, Lar- ! naoh, M'Kenz'e, Parata, P>ke, Rhodes. Ross, Steward, Stewart, Tanner and : Ward, M.H.R's. The following resolu--1 tions were agreed to: — Hon Mr Holmes moved, and Mr F.sh seconded — "That ' th's meeting is of opinion that legislative ' provision should be made whereby the Bible may be read daily m the publio schools, and -hat a Bill to effect this object be introduced into the House of Representatives." This was carried nnanl moualy, Mr Stewart then moved, and Hon Mr Baillie seconded — '"That a sub Committee, consisting ot Messrs- Fulton, Holmes, Stewart, and Menzles, be appointed to draft - a Bill to effect this objeot, the BUI to be submitted for consideration of a future meeting." This was oarrled unanimously. Mr Pyke moved— 11 That ln the Bill to be Intro duced, provision be made for olalms of Oatholioß thereon, and m terms of Bill be brought down m 1885, and urged that if Bible reading be allowed m sohools to Protestants, concessions claimed by Catholics should also be allowed." The motion was seconded pro forma, hot was afterwards withdrawn without being put to the meeting, and the point remains m abeyance at present.' It Is understood that Messrs M'Gregor and Graham will move and second, respectively, the Address-in- Heply. Mr Ballance will give notice this after- j noon of his intention to Introduce an amendment to the Municipal Corporations Act, to enable municipal authorities to impose a fee, not to exceed £10 per annum, on Chinese trading m any borougb. A meeting of members favorable to Proteotion' was held th's morning, at which about 20 were present. The meeting was of a conversational character, but it was resolved that suoh steps be taken as were considered necessary, with a view of encouraging and promoting local industry. A committee was appointed to -o llleofc suoh information and statistics as might be useful m considering the question of the revision of the tariff Mr W. J. Steward today gave notice to introduce the Education Reserves Settlement Bill, whioh is to open these reserves for settlement, and Hospital and Charitable Md 'Bill, whioh provides for a separata district for Waimate. Wellington, October 13. A meeting of the members Interested m the question of Bible Reading m Sohools was held this morning, at which there was a goc d attendance, from 25 to 30 members of both houses being present, and the Hon Dr Metzies occupied the chair. _ resolution was adop'ed to the effect that a bill be introduced into the House of Representatives, sanction the reading of Bible m Sohools, and a Committee consisting of Dr MeLziea, Hon Holmea, J. Fulton and W. D. Stewart were appointed to draft the bill to be brought m and report to a future meeting. At the meeting of the Opposition last night I understand that there were 25 presen: aud 6 accounted for, irrespective of the Liberal party under Mr Bal'anoe, who are Bapposed to number 11 or 12, but were not represented. It was intimated, j however, lhat they will aot with the Opposition proper at present. The only - resolution passed was to the effeot that Sir J. Yogel will take the lead of the party.' ■ la reference to to-day's business I understand that the policy bs described m the Governor's speech will be aharply ■ criticised, but no overt move will be made till after the Financial Statement,