WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 2951, 3 August 1872, Page 2

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

fFrom an Occasional Correspondent.)

Since my last there has been some appear? ance of storms arising in the political depart? ment—numerous caucus meetings having taken place, every Province seemingly dete mined to have Jits own views carried out, irrespective of the party in or out of power, wf course, 'here is not unanimity on all matters brought before them, and the real test of opinion will only be found when the various subjects these meetings have given rise to have been debated in the House. So long as this state of matters exists there can never be a strong Government. It is a species of log-rolling in its most rampant form, and not honest to guy Government, whoever they may be. The moat important of these caucus meetings has been that of -Superintendents and Provincial Executive officers, the programme of which is to take all administrative power in the Public Works and Immigration scheme from the Government and place it in the hands of the Superintendents. As a well-devised scheme to extend the powers of Provincial Governments, at first sight it looks well, but will not bear a strict analysis. The resolutions, drawn up, I am led to believe, are the offspring of Messrs Bunny and Fitzherbert, fathered by Mr Macaudrew, Although not yet made public, sufficient has been shown to show their ultra-Provincial bearing, and indeed a complete reversal of the policy adopted by tbo House three years ago. The question is, Is it right that any Government should be placed in such a false position as to give up the administrative powers to Superintendents, even should they be supporters of a particular party in power ? On the other hand, would it not be wrong to place that power in the hands of men who would be utterly opposed to them—who would endeavour to thwart their policy, and cause failures in the carrying out of even the best devised scheme—remembering this fact, that they would not be responsible for the administration of the powers so delegated to them, but that the Ministry of the day would undoubtedly be so, according to the resolutions agreed to at the caucus ? Should theie propositions be brought before the House, they will, no doubt, meet with strong opposition from sections of both the Ministerial and Opposition sides. Mr Stafford could not adopt them from his expressed views at various times, nor do I think Ministers will do so. Should the issue be in favor of the resolutions, Ministers would no doubt resign, and as it will b.s a complete reversal of the policy of the Public Works and Immigration Scheme, there would be no alternative, but to dissolve and go to the country. There has been a large meeting of Otago members of both Houses m reference to the Reserves set aside by the Provincial Council, at which three propositions were made by the Government so as to settle this question. There can be no doubt that Ministers have every desire to act fairly, but assert they cannot comply with the whole demands, on account of their magnitude—covering as they do, one sixth of the lands of the whole Province. The Lords last year proclaimed against it, and were a Bill again brought into the Assembly, I have no doubt it would be defeated. It was proposed that a deputation should meet with the Government, asking them to reconsider their decision, although it was stated that the propositions were final. An amendment was proposed to accept of the offer of the Crown grants, &c., for 500,000 acres, and so settle the matter, which was lost. I need not state that those large pastoral reserves will give a real monied value to the holders of the runs so set aside; but that the Province will not derive any additional income from them, until the leases are run out. There is also a fear that much of the laud so set aside may prove to be auriferous, and unless power is taken these lands might be shut up from the operation of gold mining. The Public Health Bill, the Drawbacks Bill, the Public Trust Office Bill, and Life Assurance Bill, are all passing the House, with slight amendments, and there seems a desire to pass these really good measures through without opposition. The North Dunedin Cemetery Bill has been considered

by the Select Committee on Bills a private Bill, but will meet with no opposition. The Otago Waste Lands Bill has passed. I think I have given you a fair quota of news for this letter, and will reserve further scraps from the budget for next letter.