POLITICAL ITEMS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1223, 7 August 1885, Page 2

POLITICAL ITEMS.

(Through our Exchanges). The Public Reserves Amendment Bill (the Hon. Mr Ballance), circulated on Tuesday night confers additional powers on the trustees of recreation grounds and reserves, and authorises a charge for admission on not more than ten days in the year, to grant the exclusive use o! reserves for sports, matches, etc., and to grant the right to erect stands. No charge for admission, however, can be made unless praviously advertised. Trustees of racecourses 7

ara compelled to allow other clubs to usa ' their racecourses, provided euch club shall consist of not less than fifty members, and,' have paid an annual subscription of LI to the funds. Trustees are empowered to lease racecourse reserves, and the proceeds to bo expended in the improvements of the course and for racing purposes.

Mr Pyke’s Licensing Act Amendment Bill, a precis of which I wired you a week ago, was also circulated this (Friday) evening.

As some doubt appears to be entertained as to whether Sir John Hall will shortly return to the Colony with a view of reentering politics, I send you the following extract from a letter dated June 17, received by Mr Wakefield from the ex» Premier’s brother s—“ John and his family are at Oxford just now, and return at the end of the week, when they go to Lover for six weeks, and then back to London. I believe that he has almost made np his mind to stay another twelve months in England after the time he had fixed for returning to New Zealand; indeed they have already been making inquiries about a suitable house.” Sir John’s Hall health is much improved after his prolonged visit to South America, but it is st : ll such as to make it out of the question for him to return to political life in the Colony. Friday was a private members’ day, bub the business in the House was of an uninteresting nature. Most of the evening sitting was taken np with the Dunedin Drill Shed Reserves Amendment Bill, which provoked a somewhat animated discussion. The member for Mount Ida, who bad charge of the measure, is a veritable nineteenth century Admirable Crichton. He is a practical and successful farmer, a well-grnuuded political economist, a passable journalist, and a coming politician. To-day he exhibited forensic talent of such a quality that if, like the Admiral iu “ Pinafore,” he had “ served his term as office boy in an attorney’s firm,” he would undoubtedly bo now holding a deservedly high position in the profession. His speech on the second reading of the Bill was perhaps the best piece of special pleading yet heard within the walls of the House, and when Mr Mackenzie resumed his seat he was applauded by every lawyer in the House, who had been listening to their lay brother’s address with excusable astonishment.

The Law Practitioners Bill (Sir G. Grey) and the Auctioneers Bill (Mr Seddon) were made short work of, both measures being rejected.

Last week 1 hinted at the probability of a strong combination being formed which would comprise nearly “ all the talents.” It is to shunt Sir Julius Vogel ami his wild an t demoralising schemes. Sir Chin.in I ja still pointed to as the leader of the Opposition, and should the Government attempt to quietly allow the railway question to -o the member for Napier will, it is move a direct vote against them.

Mr Brown has no intention cf pressing his New Zealand Currency Bill this session. It and the Pawnbrokers Amendment Bill will bo included among the slaughtered innocents.

The ship of State is certain to encounter troubled waters befoie this week's voyage is completed. For some <hne past the'e have been indications «* a coming storm, and the firs' breakers will probably be met with to-night (Monday), when Mr Balance will move the second reading of his Nativo Lands Disposition and Native Laud Courts Bills. These measures are sure to be strongly opposed, particularly by members for the North "Island. I venture to think, however, that both measures will just about pass the second reeding, the feeling among the Southern members being that as the administration by the Native Minister has been satisfactory it would be impolitic to interfere with him.

Mr Fisher has given no ace to move the insertion of a new clause in Licensing Amendment Bill, as follows livery divided boroigh shall be an ordinary licensing district, having one licensing committee, to be elected annually by the ratepayers, notwithstanding the division of such borough into wards.” In reply to a query re the prospects of his Licensing Bill going through this session, Major Sieward has tent me the following note If anything should intercept (e.g., if there should be anything in the nature of a want of confidence debate cropping up before Thursday week), then the prospect of the passing of the Bi 1, or any private Bill, is nil. IE nothing of the sort happens, then I think the Bill wil pass, with amendments.”

The resumed debate on the Native Lands Disposition Bill will be taken this afternoon (Tuesday), an opportunity being thus afforded for further postponing it. The Government’s much-talked-o; resolution for the regulation of the matter to a Select Committee may, however, come on to-ivght, but that I doubt. Mr Pyke intends speaking this afternoon, and will deal with the question from a Southern point of view. The Vogel petition was before iho Public Petitions C enioitteo this morning. Sir Julius Vogel gave evidence, and Sir George Grey made an {explanation. The evidence will be printed.

The title of the measure introduced by Sit G. Grey to-night (Tuesday) ia described as “ A Bill empowering the Government to purchase large estates, to be leased to small farmers at a rental to pay not more than the interest on the actual cost.” It is virtually his new land scheme, an outline of which I telegraphed to yon some weeks ago, the only change being the withdrawal of the principle of taking the land compulsorily, he having been advised since ho first evolved the scheme that plenty of land can be obtained voluntarily in Canterbury and Otago.

The feature of to-day's (Wednesday) proceedings in the Lower House has been tho two speeches by Mr Vincent Pyke, who, in attacking the Native Lauds Di-position Bill this afternoon, and tho AJeiggs proposal in tho evening, made a most slashing phillipic, which quite took the House by storm. So far there is no change in the estimate of the relative strength of the sides as telegraphed by me last night. The rejection of theMeiggs proposal is regarded as certain, but the Native Lands Bill is doubtful. The result, however, is sure to bo very close.

, . , Later. It is understood that moat of the Canter, bury, Westland, and Nelson members will speak on the East and West Coast railway proposals, so that tho debate may be a very long one. It is assuming a tone of great | acrimony and exasperation on both sides. | Sir Julius Vogel’s speech to-night may possibly influence one or two votes, but it is still estimated that there will bo a majority of II or 12 against tho Meigga scheme, or its reference to a select commit. | tee.