POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3753, 26 July 1883, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

|_BY TELEORAI'H.]

[from our oavn correspondent.]

AVellington, This day

Surprises arc ot course the order ot the day. Debates spring up at a moment's notice Avhich are debated Avith spirit aud at great length, but Avhen avc lav ourselves out for a good thing avo arc disappointed time after time. AVhat we reasonably anticipate -will bo of great interest simply ends in a fiasco. So it Avas yesterday Avith Mr Montgomery's long talked of debate on tho repeal of tho property tax. This trump card Avas not played, but was postponed till Tuesday next, Avhen the Treasurer will bring up bis property tax, and tho ono debate will serve for both, the reason assigned for this being that no day could bo promised for tho second reading of Mr Montgomery's bill

A Avarm though short debate took place yesterday Avhen Mr DcLautour Avantcd to have his revenge on the defeat of the Native Land Bill by getting a return Avhich Avould slioav the transactions in natiA'c lands. The return was opposed by Major Atkinson, and after a sharp acrimonious debate the motion for tho return Avas defeated.

Mr AVright handled figures yesterday in reference to the Canterbury raihvay returns in an able manner to prove that the alleged loss on the Canterbury grain traffic of £00,000, as stated by the general manuger, Avas all a mistake, and a very bad haphazard guess. Tho carriage of grain at one penny per ton per mile should not be ruinous Avhen avc remember that in America and Great Britain raihvay companies can paybetter dividends than the earnings of any colonial raihva.ys slioav, and at the same time carry large quantities of goods at an eighth of a penny per ton per mile aud less. I suppose in these companies there are no political appointments, and men earn their money, and must knoAV their business.

To-day it is understood the debate Avill bo resumed on annexation, Avhen it is to be hoped it -will be brought to a close ; but of course it, is much more interesting than listening to the dreary self-satisfied platitudes of that friend of the Avorking man, Mr Hutchison. The latter docs not improA'e by frequently listening to him. He sermonises more than Mr Green, and lacks the energy of that conscientious gentleman.