POLITICAL ITEMS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1218, 3 July 1885, Page 2

POLITICAL ITEMS.

(Through our Exchanges). Eeplying to Mr J. M ‘Kenzie, whether the Government will consider the advisability of periodically moving inspectors of police on the goldfields and up country districts, The Hon. J. Ballance said where an inspector was discharging his duty it would be unwise to remove him unless for speo-al reasons He did not see why any difference should be made between goldfields and other districts,

The Hon. H. Stout, in moving the second reading of the Counties Act Amendment Bill, said the principle which had guided the Government in bringing in this measure was that local bodies were supposed to look after roads, bridges, and other local affairs. He thought it would be better if they only had two local bodies—namely, boroughs and road boards. One form of local government, in his opinion, was quite enough; but he did not believe in overturning existing institutions without bringing in some good reform. The present bill made some alterations in principle, one of which was that it attempted to localise finance. It also proposed that road districts and ridings should be made co-ter-minous. The system was not a new one—it bad been tried and succeeded admirably. The bill also proposed that there should be no more now counties made unless by order of the Governor in Council. It was not proposed to disturb existing institu* tions. It they wished to maintain their road boards the bill would not interfere with them. If the bdl were carried it would be found to the advantage of many places in the Colony to have no road boards, but to have their own rates spent in their own districts. He had prepared a consolidated Counties Act, hut he thought there would not bj lima to piss it this session. As to the town districts he proposed to make an alteration by which each town district should be a separate subdivision of a riding. Another proposal in the bill was that the chairman of a county was to be elected in tha same way as a mayor of a borough, which he also thought would fce of great advantage, as the chairman of such an important body should he elected by the large body of ratepayers, P.ovision was also made for the election of auditors by the ratepayers direct, and several other provisions which he need not enumerate. He thought if the bill were faithfully carried out it would be a step in the right direction. Questions were again numerous in the House on Friday. Mr J. W. Thomson has given notice that the required increase in the revenue should be raised by increasing the property tax to Id on all estates between LIO'JO and L 20.000, and three-halfpence on estates above that. The Forest Bill was discussed, and also the Counties Act Amendment Bill, and the debate on the former was adjourned till Tuesday, that on the latter being interrupted by the usual adjournment. The Licensing Acts Amen hnent Bill (Mr Steward) extends the franchise to ail adult residents within the licensing districts. After the expiration of the present term of office, licensing committees shall hold office for three years, and elect! Ms will therefore have to be held once only in every tid'd year. If a renewal of licenses is refused on the ground of no necessity, a meeting of ratepayers shall be convened after due notice, and She question may be discussed and may be decided by a show of hands.If a poll be demanded, the expenses incurred thereby is to defrayed out of local bodies’ funds, provided it the poll decides against the granting of the license, the licensee shall refund to tho funds of the local bodies such sums. It is lastly provided that children under 12 years of age shall not be supplied with liquor. Just prior to the rising of the House on Friday, the following statement, showing tho approximate payments, according to the latest returns, under tho subsidies proposed by the Local Bodies Financial and Empowering Bill, was laid on the table. The summary is as follows Town districts, L 5773 ; boroughs, L 37.942 ; counties containing no road districts, L3'),532 ; counties containing road districts, L 12.574; goldfields comities (additional subsidy payable annually for five and a-half years to the following counties: Thames, Collingwood, C iromandsl, Buller, Inaugahua, Grey, Westland, Maniototo, Tuapeka, Vincent, Lake, Piako, and Wallace), L 26.090 : —total, L 226.200. .Regarding the Freetrade movement, a general meeting of members was hold at 11 this morning at Parliament buildings. Mr Pyke, chairman of tha Freetrade Committee presided, and about 30 members were present, and 18 more accounted for. It was stated by the Chairman that since tho first meeting every member of the House who was known to have any leanings to Freetrade had been canvassed, with the result that 43 declared they would resist the increased customs duties, this gives a majority of six against the tariff in a full House, without counting the Speaker and Chairman of Committees, but it is expected that if the question came to a vote fully sixty would declare against any increase in t he tariff, there being a dozen doubtful members. A deputation, consisting of Mr Pyke (chairman) and Mr Pearson (secretary) was uppointed to wait upon the Government, and acquaint it with tho decision of the m oting. There seems to he little doubt that tho Government will have to dispense with the intended increase in customs Juries as a means of providing revenue. Rumors were en rent to the effect that Sir J. Prondorgast was to resign from tho Chief Justio ship in favour of Mr Stout had ; been revived. To-day, however, it is staged I authoritatively that the rumor is absolutely j without foundation. Sir James Prendcr-

gast could not retire now without losing his pension. Mr Fergus gave notice to ask the Minis* ter of Lands on the 30th inst. whether he will cause a sum to be placed on the Estimates to aid in mitigating the kea pest; also to ask the Postmaster General whether he will place a sum on the Estimates to give telephonic communication to Hawes and Cardrona.

Mr Pyke has been interviewing the Minister of Mines With respect to the Otago Cental Kailway. The Hon. Mr Richardson promised to complete the Hindon sectiqjr at once. No *• unemployed” are to be-W-cployed, as the contractors Will not accept them. Should the Works Statement pass the new contract will amount to about L6OOO.

Mr Fergus and Mr Pyke have written to the Hon. Mr Richsrdaon urging him to place a sum on the Public Works Estimate for the building of a new traffic bridge at Cromwell. It is stated that the present structure is in such a precarious state that any unusual strain may cause its sudden collapse, involving probably loss of human life as of property, and disturbing traffic arrangements with the districts above and beyond Cromwell. When the Estimates came up for consideration an effort will be made to get all allowances paid to the Chairman of Committees struck out. This, course has been prompted by a feeling that the Committee acted unfairly in ousting Mrj Fulton in order to allow a salaried chairman te occupy his place. Mr Wakefield, who is now Major Atkinson’s right-hand man, scouts the idea of a coalition between Sir Julius and the Major, “ It might have suited Major Atkinson fast session,” he says, “ hut the Vogel bubble has pretty well burst and the golden glamour faded away.” Mr Stout was very much averse to the reply sent by himself on behalf of the Cabinet to the resolutions of the b'reetrade meeting. He was desirous of standing or falling by the Ministerial financial proposals, but the majority of the Cabinet wished to temporise, and tho Premier was compelled to give a reluctant assent to a sentiment he did not concur with.

Messrs Pyke, Brown, and Fergus waited on the Minister of Justice this morning with respect to residences for goldfields wardens 5 but they were informed that the Cabinet had arrived at no definite understanding on the matter. The Hon. Mr Tole then mentioned that he had prepared a scheme for equalising the labours of goldfields wardens by rearranging tho districts over which their duties are to extend. His proposals were submitted to the deputation, and were unanimously voted to be unsatisfactory. Mr Tole thereupon said he would submit the scheme to the wardens for their consideration, aud, after they had reported, would again place the matter before the goldfields members present. Sir George Grey sprang a regular mine upon the House this afternoon by giving notice of his intention to move an amendment to the motion for going into Supply a distinct want of confidence motion against the Government. The announcement was received with cheers. Sir George Grey seems to have followed his usual tactics in this manner in keeping his intention a secret, even from those few members who sometimes work with him. With some of these gentlemen he had been conferring on the situation an hour or two before giving notice of his motion, and had not breathed ■a word to them as to his intentions, but those who know Sir George Grey best know how fond he is of these little surprises, and how gleefully he chuckles over them. The House, of course, adjourned immediately on his motion being given. To night’s debate attracted the largest gallery yet seen this session, but it proved a yery disappointing affair. Sir G. Grey’s speech was decidedly weak, and far below his usual mark. He scored some tine points, but on the whole was a failure, especially as a party move. Mr Stout made a telling speech in reply, and was much applauded on all sides, whereas Sir Geor.e <J rey never addressed a less sympathetic audie ce, or was so coolly received. The whole affair, however, is a mere flash in the pan and will result in nothing. Major Atkinson’s party will not support Sir George Grey’s amendment, but will quietly ignore it and vote instead for the general motion to go into Committee of Supply. They hold, as Mr Bryce said in his subsequent speech, that while they have no continence in the Government, the time has not yet arrived for Ministers’ removal with advantage to the country. Sir George Grey’s motion will be lost, but the Government will undoubtedly be tried to mane very large concessions as regards their financial proposals. I fancy they will not raise muck difficulty about this.