POLITICAL NEWS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 682, 26 August 1876, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

{From, a correspondent of the Press.') The Wanganui question, which has long ▼exed the locality, and has been previously before Parliament, rose in the debate last night to the dimensions of a Church and State battle. Mr Bryce's Bill, for modifying the personnel of the Industrial School Trust, and fulfilling its proper purpose, had put Bishop Hadfield on his mettle, and the friends of quasi church trusts in the other provinces also took alarm. Mr Rolleston led by upholding the integrity of trusts, Mr Bryce, Mr Ballance, and Sir J. Vogel maintained that the trust had not been fulfilled, and that Parliament had precedent for exercising jurisdiction, in English and Irish experience. The debate occupied the whole evening, and was one of the most closely and creditably argued of the session. Sir J. Vogel supported the Bill strenuously, but intimated that he did not expect success this session, and the Bill was rejected by a majority of 11. This afternoon the House went early into the Rating Bill, and was apparently inextricably bogged on another clerical point—viz, the exemption of the land of churches, chapels, and religious schools from rating, but the first part of the clause was carried in its original form, and the remainder is likely to be so. The local papers are speculating on the rumors of Ministerial changes. Referring to Mr Stevens, the Post this evening says “In some quarters the name of Mr Stevens has been suggested as Treasurer, but we do not know if there is any probability of this being given effect to, or that Major Atkinson intends retiring; Mr Stevens is one of the clearest headed thinkers, and he has shown great aptitude for finance, and both inside and outside of Parliament he has delivered utterances on the state of public affairs which have commanded the attention and respect of thoughtful men throughout the 3ny. Mr Stevens is rightly regarded as a rising man, and it would be well for the colony that he should have a seat in the Cabinet." , , Thp Wellington members had a meeting this evening, and Nelson and Westland wait Otago’s indications before deciding on their county boundwiWi