POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1112, 24 August 1883, Page 4

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(Through our Exchanges,) It. ialinfliwcod that tlie report of tlit Direct Steam Service Comniiitee ■will lie to the effect tliat it is not advisable to enter into any cont'iict ; but t v, e best arrangements possible foi an efficient service at the lowest rates obtainable, ami that in any arrangement that may be made the energy displayed by the New Zealand Shipping Company in placing suitable steamers on the line should be recognised. There have been nearly 500 peti tions presented to Parliament this ses sion, of which a large majority are against any alteration in the hduoation Act, and on matters generally connected with the education and local option questions Considerable surprise was felt on Wednesday afternoon when “ supply” 'was called on 10 tind it interrupted by Mr I'mith, member for Waipawa, who moved as an amendment the hi"d tax resolution which was put on theo der paper some weeks ago by Sir George ■Grey. It was at first thought that Sir George Grey had put Mr Smith op to move the amendment, so "as to avoid the inevitable defeat which awaits it; but it has since transpired that he felt too unwell to speak at any length: The next night he made a stiong and excitable speech in support of the amendment, but completely lost his temper by the loud laughter of the Government supporters at some of his assertions. He designated Mr Pearson, member for Ashley, as a buffoon, and was pulled up by the Speaker. Sir George at once withdrew the expression, but said he despised such conduct as that indulged in by the occupants •of the Ministerial benches. The debate is not expected to I i a prolonged ■one, as the whole question has already bee before the House repeatedly during the present and previous sessions. In the House the Mount Ida Water Pace Trust Act Amendment Bill (Mr De Lautour) was read a second time. There was a lengthened debate on Mr Smith’s motion to vote L 6,000 in •aid of public libraries, which was opposed by the Treasurer on the g ound that the state ot the finances did not warrant such an expenditure. The vote was supported by Mr Montgomery, who said that these libraries not only afforded information but amusement to a great number of people ; by Mr Duncan, who predicted that many libraries would be closed if assistance were withheld; by Mr heehan, who contend'd that a sound system of education should not stop with the child, but should go on and educate the man ; by Mr Mac redrew, who urged that th' ie were many ways ot s iving the money; and by Sir George Grey, who contended that the Colony had decided that it could afford special facilities for educating the people. The system of misgovern ment to which they were exposed compelled many toleave school at au early age to gain the bare neces saries of life. In t,he.-e circumstances, a proposal of this sort was nec ssary to complete the education that was interrupted. The vote was opposed by Mr Hursthouse, who said that the money was mostly spent on the lightest kind of literature, and that if districts were in earnest anout their libraries they could afford to impose a small rate for their maintenance. Mr Fergus complained that the lion’s share of last year’s vote was mainly absorbed by the large centres of population, which could well afford to make provision for themselves TheCo onial Secretary also objected to the way in which previous votes had been expended and to the class of books supplied, If the vote passed an arrangement should be made for a catalogue of the I ooks to begot being submitted to and approved by competent persons. A motion tnat only libraries the income ot wHrh were less than LSO should participate in the grant was negatived by 43 to 14 ; and an amendment bv the Colonial Secretary, that the vote should bo distributed on the same basis as last year, but that n’> lilrarv should receive more than LSO, was earned by 35 to 16. On Tuesday, the 21st icst, Mr Pyke was to ask the Colonial Secretary (1) Whether, in the interests of morality, he will exercise the discretionary powers vested in him I y the Gaming and Lotteries Acts, and refuse to grant any license or authority to use the totalisator at horse-racing meetings? (2) In the event of the Minister refus ing toexerc'se his discrete nary power, will the Government allow a Gaming and Lotteries Amendment Bill, having for its object the repeal of sections ot the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 188’., authorising the use of the totalisator by permission of the Colonial Secretary, to come, before the House on a Government day 1 It is generally expected now that the session will close in a fortnight, and that the prorogation will take place during the first week in September. A determined effort will be made to get the rental der of the Estimates through before the House rises. The votes in connection with the Education Department evoked a long and animated discussion, and some strong remarks were made as to the uselessness of the present system of inspection of schoo s. Other menu .era contended that the education boards should be abolished, and fuller powers given to school committees The Minister of KcUioation was also taken severely to task for having granted 12 to uths’ teive of absence to Mr TT-.'ens, (he Inspector general for 3 ' ml., .»»■.

Mr Bathgate's motion for the removal of the seat of Government from Wellington appeared to at'raot voty little notku and the de ate on it scarcely lasted iialt an hour. The motion was only defeate I l>y a majority of tour votes, the division lieinjj a mixed one. The closeness of the division was cheered hy the Canterbury and Otago members.