PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3310, 29 September 1873, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(BV OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) Wellington, September 25. I suppose the present session has been as dull and dreary as any that has heretofore taken place. Provincial borrowing, Native policy, enlivened by a dash of immigration fault-finding, and a daily falling of moisture from the clouds have been its chief characteristics. We have had only two fine days in Wellington since the session commenced. L'he House sits five days of the week, as a rule from 2.30 p.m. to 2 a.m., and the end is not yet even apparent. The Premier hinted last night that the session would end probably next week, and that members were getting tired and anxious to be away. I should think they were. No man having any business to look after, for the sake of the honorarium, would sit up here wrangling three months for the cash-part of the transaction, and the Speaker will have no excuse proffered for non-attendance : whether absent with or without leave, the member who falls to devote his whole time to the good of his country will be mulcted in coin tor such negligence. No political work —no political money. A session such as this is certainly a weariness to the flesh. The immigration question, I suppose, may be considered settled for this session. The Agent-General will maintain his post and lecture the Government as heretofore. The late papers and letters laid on the table are wonderfully instructive and amusing literature. Yon will have had the best of them hy telegraph ere this. They contain the Arogden correspondence for remission of immigration liability, on which the petitioners founded their appeal. The evidence taken before the Committee will probably be printed, and then the public will be able themselves to judge of the merit or demerits of the case. For some cause or other the ’ lomraittee object to this evidence being published, and I dare say we shall have some amusing chat on Mr Fitzherbert's motion in this morning’s sitting. Speaking on the question of immigration the other evening to a full house, even to the ladies’ gallery, Murray, of Milton, said a sensible thing. He had heard Sir Tatton Sykes of Yorkshire was famous for having the best horses, the best cattle, and best sheep in the district. On being interrogated as to how he became so fortunate, he remarked that he bred them all carefully himself. The member said we had better increase our female population, and breed our own immigrants. In wandering about New Zealand 1 observe that this important mode of peopling the land is not forgotten. The most amusing scene in the House is to note bow the member for Dunstan watches the member for Wakatip. He is determined to sit on Mr Fyke, to avenge the defeat of his Gold Mining Bill against his versatile rival, Mr Mcrvyn has now an easy time of it. In speaking on the question of Ministers’ salaries, Mr Fyke ventured to make some statement, but was told he was doing as usual, talking about Acts he had never read, as in the case of the Gold Mining Bill. It is reported, when any papers in the library contain aught that is personal in them, they disappear, and the files become incomplete. Early this session he said to an exBupermtendent of a Northern Province, “ I hope you will support me this session.” “ In what ? ” “My general policy and my party ” was the naive reply. I wonder what affinity there can be between placing your hands in your breeches pockets and oratory. Eight members out of ten, when they get on their legs, assume this peculiar attitude, as though it assisted either the flow of ideas or language, they knew not what to do with their hands, or possessed an English aversion to gesticulation. I would like to get this point well elucidated.

If you know any needy man, Macandrew will make him a present of the Lowry Bay estate, before the L 2,000 will be spent op it. The question of most interest, and the opp most extensively canvassed is—what will the Upper House do with the Leap Bills ? Throw them out is the general opinion. The whole question is now narrowed down to one issue, it is generally acknowledged the works are necessary, and should be gon* structed—that money will have to be borrowed for their construction; it only remains then to determine who shall borrow. It is proposed the Colony shall borrow this L 280,000 for current year, and hand it over to the Provinces to expend. I have thought and written about the matter till I’m disposed to recant everything I’ve said or written on the subjvct, and consider it a panacea for all our evils. I believe the leading idea in Ministerial minds on the subject is that Provinces, knowing they have given specific security for loans, will be induced to husband their resources more vigorously ; watch with greater carefulness the expenditure of the money they have harrowed, from knowing that the estates they pledge, once having been pledged, will not be relieved by the private creditor, nor allowed to be hypothecated a second time. But this also should be remembered—whether the tying up these landq may pot have the effect of retarding settlement, and preventing the sale of portions of the public estate ? I believe the Lords will throw the Bills out. The discussion on the question of borrowing L 500,000 for the purchase of an estate in the North Island has hitherto been only

lightly treated. lam uncertain but what it tnil meet with oomiderable oppoiition. The question has two modes in which it can be ▼lowed— Will the Natives in their present discontented frame of mind relative to the Native Minister’s Native policy sell the land ? or will it be enabled to be bought at a price that when paid for, surveyed, having roads cut to it, and all preliminary expenses defrayed, a margin of profit will be left for the benefit of the Provinces ? There are very grave considerations connected with this measure that the South should feel and take a careful interest in. Among lighter matters I see that the Joint House Committee appointed to provide for the convenience of members of the Legislative propose—“ That with a view to the General Assembly having their own establishment, instead of being in the hands of a contractor, the sum of L3CO be voting for providing necessaries for Bellamy’s, and engaging a steward.” Reporters and the public have to be thankful to the Committee for the comfortable room, well lit and warmed, provided for their accommodation. A bell communicates with Bellamy, and anything in the way of refreshments desired can be obtained. There is an amusing, chatty little volume called “Pakeha Rambles Through Maori Land,” published in Wellington some week or more since. It is written by Colonel ot. John, of the Native Office, and contains not only a narrative of his personal experiences, but one placed in bis hands for publication, showing the condition and manners of the Native people in the Waikato forty years since. When it is remembered how contact with Europeans is modifying the manners and customs of the Native race ; how old Maoridom has almost completely died out; that the tribes living in seclusion are almost equally changed as others—any additional information that can be obtained as to their modes of thought and habit of life in the past is both valuable and instructive. 'I he chapter “How we live in our haingas is one of the most interesting in the book. Southern people will gain clear ideas on Native manners by a perusal of the volume. I enclose you the report of the Committee and that of the Sub-Committee on Colonial Defence for your Volunteer readers. It is too long for me to analyse, but will doubtless prove interesting to many.