POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1848, 31 August 1906, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE LAND PROPOSALS, Special to the Times.

Wellington, last night.. Great interest continues to be tekeo in Regard to the land proposals of tbs Government. and the Scandal debate next week is expected to be interesting and lively. Members, especially the oountry members, are still receiving numerous telegrams expressive of sympathy with their opposition to the Government’s policy, "Does the Governmsnt,” says one meßsags reoaivod by Mr Missey, " take us for Russian serfs, and the Premier to be the Czir ?”

THE COUNTRY PARTY AND THE

FREEHOLD

At a meeting of the Country Party today the position to be taken up in regard to the Government’s land proposals was discussed. It was agreed that so far as the financial debate is concerned each ixicinber of the Party shall be allow’d! a free hand, 1 and that the question of taking United action in the matter be deferred until the Rand Rill is brought down. The Party, of course, is strongly opposed to the laud proposals, on account of the absence of provision for the option of the freehold. The platform adopted enunciates that the Party was formed for the consolidation of the rural interests, and that it is in no way antagonistic to the Government; that as practically the whole of the members of the Party are pledged to support of the freehold," they must support that principle. The Party, I understand, is very sail ■ guine as to the prospects of a majority of the House taking a stand in opposition to 'tho Government’s policy- on this question. The ear it has already been' pricked, and it is olaiiucd that 45 members can bo relied Upon to vote in favor qf the freehold when the question is put to the vote. Owing to his frequent absence from Wellington, Mr Major has resigned the chairmanship of tho Party, and M r Ui c l4 has been appointed to the pqsitiqn. A committee has been appointed, consisting of Messrs Major, Symes, Graham. Hoke, and the Chairman. Amongst those whose w-ho attended tho meeting of the Party to-day were Messrs Baumo and Wilford, both of whom expressed concurrence with the platform of the Party on the subject of the freehold.

RECIPROCAL TREATY,

It is safe to say that few if- any proposals that have been placed before Pallia iriciit have met with such a- strong chorus of disapproval as that which lias been pro-* yoked by the presept action of thq proposed reciprocal treaty with the Australian Commonwealth. I have spoken to a large number of members of the House on the subject, but l have not found ono to bo favorably impressed with the schedule of the treaty. The general opinion is that most of the advantage of the agreement if ratified will bo with the Commonwealth, and that little or no benefit will accrue to this colony. The ratification of the treaty seems most improbable. Indeed, if one may judge from the present opinion of the House, there is not the least likelihood of its becoming law. It is even understood that some members of the Cabinet arc not favorably disposed to the proposals. The forecast 1 sent you the other day to the effect that New Zealand was getting much the worst of the deal turns out to be (puto accurate.