POLITICAL NEWS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1273, 23 July 1886, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

The Council do not like the Civil Service Reform Bill, and it is very improbable that they will agree to its passage. During the discussion on the Workmen’s Wages Extension Bill on Wednesday night last the Premier stated that tho reason why the member for Wakatipu opposed the Bill was that ho was carrying on a Government contract which allowed the truck system to be taken advantage of. Mr Fergus shortly afterwards gave Sir Robert Stout a bit of his mind. While doing so he reminded of a remark which was made in the Otago Provincial Counoil some years ago by Mr George Turnbull with reference to the present Premier. Ho would not say what that remark was, in case he should be called to order, but would tell it to Sir Robert privately outside the House. I (correspondent) have since ascertained that the words uttered by Mr Turnbull on that occasion were that when he (Mr Stout) had less to say and mote discretion he would become an ornument to the Council. At that time the Premier was a very young member of the Provincial Council Referring to Sir Robert’s remarks on the Bill and his (Mr .Fergus’s) opposition to it, he (Mr Fergus) proceeded to say that one of the statements made by the Premier was false, as in Tasmania, where his contracts were carried on, the truck system were not in force. The Speaker here interposed, and said he would not allow any member to characterise another member’s statement as false. Mr Fergus repeated that it was a false statement. Sir Maurice again called him to order, when he said “ But it is not true, sir.” The Speaker again called him to order, and said that ho should withdraw the expression. Mr Fergus here resumed his seat, and several of his friends called out “ withdraw,” which he eventually did, although in a very reluctant manner. He has since hunted up ‘Hanzard.’ and declares that he has found on several occasions this session Sir Robert has charged hon. members with saying things that are not true without being called to order for so doing. The Representation Bill is to tho effect that was indicated more than a week ago, hut the Government have not yet summoned courage to propose absolutely a reduction in number of members. It was said ten days back that a majority of the House favored a reduction. However this may have been, that majority seems now to have disappeared. It is rumoured that several members formerly in favour of reducing the numbers have since changed their opinions aud declared against a reduction ; consequently tho present appearances are adverse to any decrease in the numerical strength of the House being carried.

Mr Pyke’s Otago Central Railway Extension and Construction Bill 1 is to provide further facilities for the construe: ion by private enterprise and for the working of a line of railway to extend and continue the Otago Central railway from Taieri Lake to Lake Uawea and Lake Wanaka. The cost of the line is not to exceed L 750.000. The bill is on the lines of the Midland railway arrangement, excepting in these two points : —fl ) Value of lau ls to be granted not to exceed 30 per cent of the cost of the railway ; the lands so granted to the company are to be sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of in accordance with the land laws in force for the time being in the colony (2 ) No lands now used for mining purposes, or which shall be known ns gohUworkiugs, are to he deemed Crown lands under this Bill. The Minister of Public Works has obs tained permission from the House to accept one of the tenders received for the completion of a small piece of line in Otago known as the Livingstone Railway. The tenders were satisfactory, and the matter had been submitted this afternoon to the leader of the Opposition. The amount of the contract is under the limit of L 22.000. There is certain to be a scandal over the proceedings in connection with the Lake County Council. The matter is to he brought before the House to-morrow by Captain Sutter, who asks whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the Provincial Auditor's report on the Lake Counny finances, and what steps they propose in reference thereto. The Government sustained an important defeat on the 14th inst., when, rn the motion for going into Committee of Supply, a resolution proposed by Mi Pearson was carried on the Speaker’s casting vote. It waste this effect :—(l) In the opinion of this House the contributions from the different local authorities for hospitals and charitable aid should bo raised by a tax on property, and that Goveramnut should coU lect and pay sued tax to the several districts entitled to the same ; (2) The Go vernment he requested to give effect by Bill to the foregoing resolutions. During debate, the Premies said that if the House was going to affirm Vhe motion, he would tell them that he wosid ifit draft a Bill to give effect to it, ana i' sum an an angement was moved on them, he would follow some one else to the Treasury beaches and give effect to it.