PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1692, 23 July 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

[Br Telegraph.] fFEOM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.] WELLINGTON, July 22. Before entering on the ordinaiy business, Mr Richardson called the attention of the speaker to the fact that a map laid on the table of the House last year in connection with the Railway Construction Bill had been removed from its proper place, and had evidently had additions made to it. It is generally supposed in the House that the railway between _ Grahamstown and Aroha was one of these additions, the first sod of which was lately turned by Sir George Grey. A report emanates from Ministers that Sir J. Vogel wrote to the Government asking to be appointed a permanent Resident Minister in Great Britain with a subordinate officer to act as A gent-General. He represented that AgentsGeneral are looked upon as mere commission agents for the colonies, and did not possess that political statue he thought was desirable. The Government did not fall in with his view. Another story is that Sir J. Vogel wrote out requesting to know if any objection would be made to his interesting himself in the Southland Land Company. Mr Stout replied granting permission. The Premier _ being either away from Wellington, or not being consulted in the matter, did not know till some time after, but as soon as ho ascertained what had been done, he at once sent a cable message cancelling the permission given in Mr Stout’s letter. It is stated that the original programme decided on by Mr J. E. Brown and the Middle Party was to assist Sir W. Fox to oust the Grey Ministry, but immediately to go into Opposition again with the view of getting a coalition Ministry, some of the Middle Party to have portfolios. The “ Chronicle” professes to he afraid that Sir G. Grey will not resign if defeated. It is stated that the newly formed Middle Party will walk out of the House when the division is called on Sir W. Fox’s mo'ion. A deputation of all Otago members waited on the Premier yesterday, Mr Be Lautour being spokesman, to urge upon the Government the justice of repaying to Otago .£45,000, balance of land fund due to local bodies under the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876, and detained by the Government in liquidation of an alleged provincial debt of <£’.’o 000. The Premier said that, as the matter appeared to be somewhat complicated, he would cause inquiry to he made, and conuuunicate his decision at an early date. The object of Thursday’s meeting is to form a Liberal Association. The Mayor has consented to preside. Sir G. Grey will move the first rosolrttion. Messrs Rees and Moss will also probably address the meeting. Arrangements are being made to secure a large staff of shoithand reporters, and the committee have obtained from the Postmaster-General the_ promise to keep the Telegraph office open all night, in order that the resolutions and speeches may appear in every paper in the colony on Friday. The chief object of this is to stir up other centres of population to form Liberal Associations. Thursday is fixed for holding the great meeting to inaugurate the projected Liberal Association, which is to have branches throughout the colony. _________