PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2248, 16 June 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[Br Telegraph.] [fbom the own coeeebfondbnt of the “ PEEBB.”j WELLINGTON, June 15. Among papers laid before Parliament today is a memorandum by the Secretary of Crown Lands to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin, setting forth the intentions of the Government regarding the waste lands, Otago, leasee which expire in 1883, and about which Sir George Grey and Mr Pyke made so much fuss. The country in question comprises seventy one runs, area 2,681,000 acres, of which half is under 2000 feet above sea level, and as garden fruit, wheat, oats, barley, and root crops have been grown np to this height, it is assumed thet all land to that height is safe for stock, and where the soil is good may be classed as agricultural. This is to bo laid oil in farms of suitable size, the higher altitude being proportionately included so as to include varieties of country in tbs same block. Hundreds are to be declared, and reserves made for railways, roads, bosh, coal, &o. The Bill for Abolishing the Custom of Entail and Preventing the Tying-up of Lands is not yet quite ready, but I hoar it is very short, only about half a dezen clauses. It provides that no land shall be rendered inalienable, excepting during the minority of a heir, while in case of trust lands there is provision for the reinvestment of funds derived from the proceeds of the sale of lands, in accordance with the object of the trust. I understand that Major Atkinson’s financial statement is practically ready for delivery at any time. His present intention is not to bring it down before the end of the month, unless the House expresses a decided wish to have it earlier, in which case he will readily accede. I believe, however, that it will prove to be purely nonsensational in character, and to have been entirely anticipated by previous disclosures. The chief point will probably be that the Government see their way to bring the expenditure well within the revenue this year without any necessity for imposing newer increased taxation.