POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3757, 31 July 1883, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[_V telegraph.]

[from our own correspondent.] Wellington, This day.

The game of "beggar my neighbor" is being industriously played by both sides. Any bill that has not already passed its second reading may as well be at once abandoned for this session, for there will be but a scant show of its passing into law. Of course I refer to bills brought in by private members, for the Ministry will be ablo to pass into law whatever measures they prefer passing this session, instead of holding them over for tho next. It is quite ovident that this session is to a great extent to be wasted, so that both sides may bring forward and pass into law a large number of measures next session, and that they may bo ablo to poso before the country as successful legislators with their deeds fresh in tho minds of their constituents.

Major Atkinson cannot forget his fad, so his bantling—compulsory national insuranco —which has been drafted, will bo read a second tune by the House in all probability, but no attempt, I understand, is to be made to perscyere with it further. The sooner he drops the measure tho better, for he cannot force it on the country, though we all know his persistency, yet on this occasion I think it will avail him nothing. Of course the reconstruction of tho Ministry, adding to the Ministry, and members' screws are the all-absorbing topics pf the House, but there is nothing definitely decided in any way, and much of what is given utterance to is mere idle talk, with a dash of imagination thrown in, subject to the individual bias.

The Property Tax Bill is to be the bone qf contention to-day, and the debate will probably last nearly through the week.