PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1902, 26 July 1888, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(F3B PSESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, July 24. The Legislative Estimates, as drawn op by the Speakers of the tiro branch os of the Leglilatare were considered by the Cabinet this morning. I understand the Estimate* now presented to the Hoase are the aame as those brought down last year. I believe that Qovetnment will take a apell after laafc night's proceedings In Committee of Supply, and that tc-day they will ask the Home to take the diaonsslon on the Native Bills, when there will probably be some lively debating and stonewalling from the Natives. The House, m considering the Education Estimates last night, managed to gave out of the total submitted sam of £490,000 • paltry £20, and the coat to the country to effect this retrenchment (?) owing to the prolonged discussion, was something like £100.

The whole subject of the position of Village Settlements was discussed m the House this afternoon, consequent on a question by Mr Peaoook, at to whether the Native Minister was satisfied with the working of the Village Settlements scheme, and if he Intended to take any special ateps with a view to facilitate farther settlement on land either on sicllar lines or any mudiifioatlon of them. The reply of the Minister was rather ambiguous, as though he admitted m a leoirtby statement that the system had been very successful he stated that the Government did not intend to make any farther advances for the assistance of settlements. This announcement raised a ■torm of opposition m all quarters, and a lengthy debate ensued, but subsequently tha Minister explained that at present there was such a demand for land under all tenures under the Act of last session that In the meantime, at any rate, there was no necessity for a oontlnnanoe of the ay item. The present Inspector of Hospitals receives £1200 a year and his engagement expires on March 31, 1889. The House to-day refused toallow Major Steward to make his Licensing Aot Amendment 6111 the first order of the day. for next private members' day. The Imprest Supply Bill for £35,000 was to-diy carried through all Its atages.

Mr Taylor Is urging Government to bring In a BUI to tax the incomes} of professional men. Dr HodgklQion desires the Premier t3 being m .some scheme of centralisation n regard to local government. ~^ . Wellington, July 26. Tlie whole of yesterday was wasted and really m efleot do business was done. In the afternoon an Informal [dlsonnon cropped up on the question of Village j Settlement* whioh occupied the whole of the aittlog and on which no deolslon was come to. Then In the evening on the motion for going into Committee on th'e Native Bill deliberate stonewalling took place on the part of the Natives and their friends with the result that it waß some time after midnight before the motion was agreed to. Some advance was then made m Committee 011 the Land Bill, but It la felt that the sitting waß virtually barren, and that the same thing may ooour any day. At any rate, it Is doubtful now whether the Public Works Statement will come down this week as Ministers state that they have some business to bring on first which may prevent it. In regard to the Midland Railway contract I understand that the Premier telegraphed to the 4 gent-General that the last stipulations of the Company as to the running powers was absolutely Inadmissible, and Sir Dillon Bell hss now cabled an amended proposal on the part of the Midland directors which it is • believed will prove entirely acceptat 1 1 and will remove all remaining d fficultles m the

way of signing the contraot. The proposal has been submitted to the Law Officers and if they find no latest flaw of t> legal character the proposal will be accepted by the Government, and then the contract will bo signed and sealed forthwith.