POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1842, 24 August 1906, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

(Special to Timcs)_. : THE LAND QUESTION. Wellington, Inst night. As intimated by the Premier m his speech last night, the Government will introduce a Bill dealing with tho hind question during this session. Whether tiro measure will to prco< eded with th's year of course remains doubiful. Is is understood that tho proposals to bo introduced in the Bill will be distinctly set foith in the Financial Statement, whioh tho Colonial Treasurer bus promised to briiog down next wffk. THE COUNTRY PARTY.

A meeting of country members, convened by Mr Rutherford, wat bold this evoniug, as tho fist step towards tho proposed organisation of a country party. Mr Major presided, end thero wore fifteen other members present. Seven absentees were accounted for. O.ia m itter discussed had reference to tho selec ion of a oundidaio for the Chairmanship of Committees, It was dtcidud to r; quest the Premier to arlaugsfor aoaucusoi rhe G.Vcrumeut party to consider this and other matters. Taere is reason to beliovo that the question of freehold v, leasehold is one of tho subjecla that is likely to be brought forward when

tho ciueus iak.s p ac:. Members wto were present are very ret'oent as to what took place, but I learn ihat considerable dissa.tafaction was expressed with taß composition of the Ministry, and as ono number put it to in?, thero ate likely to bo ’■ motions” ou that account. Presumably Mr Fowlds ie She member of tho Cabinet otj oted to. Speaking in the House this etening, Mr Thos. Mackenzie complained that be had not been invited to tho meeting, as he was a country member, and had always acted in the interest of the country people. Ho always had tho courage to ventilate grievances without fear that ho would bo caugbt by anyone in the Houso. Ha objected to msmb,*rs ef tho House calling together a coterie of mirubers of that House in such a manner as had been done by Mr Rutherford. A GOVERNMENT CAUCUS. It is understood that a caucus of the Government party will bo held in a day or two, probably to morrow. Several members of the party have intimated their intention of speaking their minds freely on oertain matters, and the proceedings are expected to be of a somewhat lively nature.

CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES

Tha issue ia regard lo the Chairmanship of Committees, wnich carries with it *B2OO moio than the ordinary honorarium, is stiil in doubi, Tnere is,,a ",'n to nuuiiuw.n inr iv, i\lclveez,e for tLe positioa. I faocy, however, that tho Government will select either Sir William Steward or Mr Wilford, Some members

of the party say Mr Wilford has tbo better chance ; ethers that S r William Steward will be cboren. Toe party at present are all at sixes aud sevens on the question. To-morrow’s caucus may settle it. THE gEDDON GRANT.

Tho matter oi the proposed veto to Mrs Seddon iu recognition oi the services of her late husband is likely to be brought forwai d in the House in the courso of a few day?. Ii is very likely in oonetquenca of obj ictious raised by several Government membem to the linger sums previously mentioned that the amount will be not more than .-65001), It is expected that before the matter is brought forwari the Premier will confer with the Lsaior of tho Opposition in order that absolute unanimity may bo ensured, THE ASIATIC QUESTION,

Mr Hornsby urged to-night that stops should ba tuk-m to rid tbo colony of tho Asiatics who arc now ioclud.d in our population. Mr R. McKenzie, in taking exception to this statement, said that whilst ho had never encouraged' tho introduction of Chinese he did not think they should offer a gratuitous insult to an enlightened nation like Japan, “end we have the Sparrow,” he 0 added, facetiously, ” as tho nucleus of a fl et to cope wish tho great navy of Japan, It is a very appropriate name.” PRINTING PAPER. Mr Gray lias given notice to ask the Government whether, considering tho fact that this Colony imports printing paper of a value exceeding £IBO,cOO per annum, they arc prepared to offer a bonus for tho purpose of encouraging the manufacture 0 E such paper in New Zealand.