PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1841, 15 May 1888, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(From ottr own Correspondent.) Wellington, May 14. Everything ba? been dull as ditch water dur'ng ih^laßt two days, and numbers of press representatives are looking forward to the Bitting of the House fco morrow, to Infaae a little life into poli ioal matters. t There la absolutely not an item worth recording to day, as evervoce has been to the football match, whloh prcvi d a modh more fcaitfal topio of coriversalion amoogat poliliolana than the protective policy of Government, or their probable downfall, or any other important matter. The fact is that the Governor's Bfescb goes for so very little that no one knows what ia coming nex% and both aides are on the gui vive tot the sittiug of the Home tc-raorrow, when the firat Government BUI comes on for debate. This will be (be Chinese Immigration Bill. I understand that bb this is » fairly popular meaßnre at the present tin?e, probably it. will not be discussed at any length, with a vftw to getting on to more solid subjects, , The Opposition are quiescent, being determined to wait till Government have shown what are their intentions, and op to the present they have not held a oauous to discuss their future line of policy. Notwithstanding all that haa been written and said about the strength of Government daring the recess, it is tacitly acknowledged by prominent Government supporters that quite a number have transferred their allegiance prinoipally on account of the Ministerial proteotive proposals, and a combined Wellington, at any rate, is a thing of the past, as two of the members, I believe, have decided to act independently, whioh is the first step across the way. It ia anticipated that there will be found to be considerable deficiencies m the revenue, principally m the railway receipts, and Government are said to be m a quandary as to how these will be met. An inorease m the property tax would be most unpopular at the present time, and any other form of direct taxation would be about as acceptable, and rumor haa it that the deficiency will be made up by a rearrangement of the tariff. It is believed that as Government have received notice of the acceptance by the Imperial and New South Wales Governments of the propoßil to renew the 'Frisco mail contract, that Government will bring down a motion to retain the servioe. A great, deal of discussion is expected over the proposal whioh will, it is anticipated, reoeive a good deal of opposition from Southern members. Wellington, May 15. An interesting matrimonial event is expected to take place m a few days, when Mr Valentine, member for Waikesia, will be joined m the holy bondß to Mis 3 Linck, a lady who is expected to arrive m a few days by ihe Tongarlro. The wedding is expected to take place m St. Andrews' Presbyterian Ohurcb, and the bride will be given away by the Speaker, Sir Maurice O'Rorke. This is 'the first time, I believe, In whioh a member will have been married during the session of Parliament. I understand that Mr Larnaoh haß paired for the Government on all Minis, terlal questions; including an increase m ths Customs duties. It has transpired that the revenue from the railways for the last year will amount to £994,813, or £55,000 less than the estimate of the Premier, bat as this is only the amount received there may a deficiency of perhaps anothei £5000. It is estimated that a profit of t*o and a half per cent will be found upon the year's transactions. The Electoral Bill, which will probably be distributed tonight, will, I believe, inoiade provision for the division of electoral districts by the Commissioners appointed under the Representation Act of laat session, qualification of electors, which will be residential, rules for conduct I of elections, and registration of electors, hearing of election petitions, etc The Bystem of election will be a modification of the Hare system as advocated by Mallook Amongst other amendments Id the working of the elections will be a provision by whioh a candidate for election rauat be nominated by ten electors instead of as at present, while provision hea bean made for assimilating the English law as regards corrupt praotioes. In raferenoa to the fixing of electorates It la the intention of the Bill that cities with their environs shall form separate electorates, the country districts being dlvldod according to population. (PKE PRESS ASSOCIATION.) . Wellington, May 14 Mr T, McKenzie, member for Olutha, fully intends to reintroduce hlsOallfornl&n Thistle BUI. and to do his best to get it passed into law. Since laßt session Mr McKenzie has visited Australia and Tasmania, and has made extensive inves libation as to the ravages of the weed. He f found that it is causing most serious injury m these oolonle?, where the danger l of its spread is viewed with the gravest apprehensions, and farmers will not purchase seed whioh has arrived from any country where the pest exists, He is determined to press on the matter as one of urgent Importance to the agricultural and pastoral Interests. The Cabinet have not had any information concerning the reappolntment of Sir W. F. Jervofa as Governor of this colony, but they have no reason to doubt the Information contained m to-day's telegrams to that effect. The " Post " says that Sir WillUm's removal would be greitly deplored, and that all will rejoice if ho is confirmed m the appointment for another term. The colony has never had a Governor who was personally more popular, and his popularity is shared by all the members of hla family.