PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2261, 1 July 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[Br Tblbgbaph.] [FBOtt IKS OWN COBB.ESPONDBNT OF THE "PBESS."] WELLINGTON, June 30. In the Lofislative Council to day, the Hon. J. N. Wilson moved for copies of all correspondence between the Government and Sir J. Yogel not already put on the table. The motion was agroed to, and the AttorneyGeneral promised to produce the documents asked for, but I hear that these will not include the insolent letter whioh was sent back to Sir J. Yogel unanswered. It is this letter that tho motion aimed at eliciting, but I believe that the Government have abstained from placing on record any copy of the com* munication whether they have privatelv retained it or not. I hear that the public accounts committee have resolved to refer Dr. Pollen's claim, about which so much has been heard during the last year or two, to the House for its decision, declining to express an opinion on it. The public petitions committee reported today upon tho claim of the widow of the l&t* Judge Mansford. They recommended payment of a certain sum, and added a rider that it was their opinion that the Government should insißt on all persons in future entering the Government service on permanent appointments insuring their lives to the amount of at least one year's pay. A petition was presented in the House of Representatives to-day signed by twentyeaven publicans of Auokland praying—(l) That clause 26 of the Licensing Bill be struck out; (2) that clause 30 be retained ; (3) that clause 31 be omitted, as it was calculated to enoourage sly grog selling; (4) that olause 124 be omitted, or so altered so that publicans in cities lighted with gas should not be compelled to maintain an outside light; (5) that clause 126* be altered to read "after p.m."; (6) that section 2 of olause 37 be omitted ; (7) that the present constitution of tho licensing committee be retained ; (8) that spirit merchants be not allowed to sell "mixed spirits" in quantities of two gallons, because such is calculated to injure the legitimate business -of licensed houses; (9) that brewers be not allowed to sell ale, beer, porter, &c, in bulk, in less quantities than five gallons. The House presented a very dreary aud deserted appearance to-day. During the afternoon there was seldom even a bare quorum present, had anybody taken the trouble to count out. It is now definitely decided that Major Atkinson will deliver his Financial Statement on Tuesday next, July sth, and bring down his local government finance proposals on the following Wednesday. Sir G. Grey will, meanwhile, hold over his promised Bill, and wait to see whether he oannot over trump the Government cards. I heor that the new Bill empowering the Government to grant aid in land to private companies whioh may undertake the construction of approved lines of railway was placed in the hands of tho Solicitor-General on Monday last, with instructions to draft it with all speed. It is understood that a recent Queensland Bill is being taken as the model, and its lines closely followed, but the general feeling prevails that the proposed 25 per cent, aid is not enough to secure the desired object, and that one-third of the cost of construction would require to be provided for by the Government land grant to afford a reasonable chance of success in floating such undertaking. I hear that the Wellington and Canterbury members have a good understanding on this question, and are likely to pull well together. It will probably be proposed that the onethird proportion above mentioned will be adopted simply as a maximum, the assistance not to exceed that proportion, and to be regulated according to the particular c'roumstances of each case. There are renewed rumors to-day as to probability of the member for Geraldino obtaining the vaoant portfolio.