PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1852, 28 May 1888, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

» (From our own Correspondent.) Wbilikgton, May 26. The principal topio la the lobbies to-day haa beeo a rumour that war had been declared by Germany, which, for some reason or other, was persistently repeated about, and was magnified aa it spread to the effaot that the first class . militia had been called out. What connection there was between a war of European Powera and the first olaaa militia of New Zealand did not appear;, but it was generally credited even amongst the members, who discussed the probabilities of having to defend our Bhores with all gravity. There la a general feeling of Indeolalon till the Financial Statement haa disclosed the policy of the Government m regard to the tariff, which is to be the great bone of oontantion. The Premier is supposed to have been engaged all day yesterday and'tc-iay on the preparation of the Statemtmr, and it 1b hinted that so much revision and amendment will be neoesaary m the Cabinet that the State-. ment will not be ready until the end of the week. The Premier by hia answer to Mr Walker yesterday, evidently was not V6ry certain m bis own mind about it. There is a' feeling of anticipation m certain circles that the Chinese Bill now before the Counoil will be thrown out altogether, and the same majority, which. postponed the measure yesterday will be found against the necond reading. It is evident that some members expaot some such oontiogenoy, as Mr Seddon enquired if the Governuaeat proposed to set ap a Search Committee t6 ascertain what had baoome of the Bill. Major Steward 1b anxious to effect reform la the matter of distraint for interest due on mortgage, and will enquire of the Premier whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the JDJusticß of the provisions of Sections' 96 and 97 of the Land Transfer Aot of 1885, which oonfers npoa mortgagees of real estate the right to distrain upon goods and chattel*, and If so they will introduce a Bill this session to pmond tfie: said Aot m this particular. Wellington, May 28. Government are still pegging away at their financial policy, and the misleading morning journal hints very broadly today that che Premier's promise of last, session to provide a tariff which would be acceptable to everybody, is not likely to be_ very easily fulfilled. Tfie "Times!"" this morning says : — " Nobody can pretend to feel at all surprised that Government have experienced, &nd are experiencing considerable difficulty m framing a financial policy that is likely to be fairly satisfactory to tho House or to the country. In tho first place it must necessarily be a very nasty pill to everybody, that after all the stringent retrenchment^ which has been ejected, additional taxation proveß still to be unavoidable, as is generally understood to be the case, and m the next place it is frightfully difficult to devise a mode of taxation that Bhall not elicit a roar of indigestion from some quarters." To meet the defict wbioh is tacitty acknowledged to be necessary, additional taxation m some form will be necessary, and it is believed it will be m. the direction of having a duty of 3d on tea, and 2d on sugar, which, it is said, would raise sufficient revenue for all purposes. ; ho far it has not been decided whether the Financial Statement will come down to-morrow or not. A meeting was held this morning, at which eight, were present, to discuss the position of Mr Pyke'a JRoman Catholic bohoola Bill. It was Intimated on behalf of several other members that they would only Bupport the Bill on condition that the same advantages as are proposed for Oathollca should be vouchsafed to other denominations. It was eventually decided to alter the Bill as auggeated, to give half capkation to schools satisfying the repuirementa aa to examination, provided there is an average attendance of 100, The title of tha Bill will be altered to Private Sohoola Bill. There are rumors flying round this day of a big row m the Cabinet on Saturday, over the proposed Tariff, though of oouree no one oan aay for certain what is the position. To aßoertain when we may expect the Statement I interviewed a Minister this morning. He informed me that he really doea aot know when the Statement may come down, and that it all depends on circumstances. Probably, however, the House may have to keep the Fair Rent Bill or aome other measure; After all this oert*inly»giveg color to the rumor; and, as previously wired, ifc may be aome d»ja yet before the Statement is delivered: I