PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2297, 13 August 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[By Telegraph ] [PROM THE OWN CORRESPONDENT OP THE “ PRESB.”J WELLINGTON, August 12. Politics are very dull again to-day. There are various rumors as to the probable programme for the remainder of the session, but nothing authentic has yet transpired. The general opinion is that nothing more of any consequence will be dealt with, excepting the Railway and Representation Bills and the estimates. The Representation Bill has at last been circulated, but without the schedules, which are not yet ready. The Bill contains nothing new, and merely provides for a House of ninety-one members, elected from a like number of electorates. The new electoral rolls made up from the present ones are to bo prepared within thirty days from the coming into operation of the Act. No person can be placed on the roll after the issue of the wri a for an election until the writs have been returned. The map of the proposed districts was laid on the table of the House to-night. It appears entirely to agree with the boundaries which I telegraphed to you a week ago. No material change at any rate hac yet been made, although no doubt there will be a good deal of alteration when the Bill gets into committee. So far it seems likely that the Canterbury, Otago, Wellington, Taranaki, and Hawke’s Bay njembera may bo depended on to give a general support to the Bill; the Nelson, Westland, and Auckland members mostly opposing it, the two former because it deprives them of members, the last because the Government refuse to reckon the Maoris among the population to form the electoral quota. The Licensing Bill is not yet out of danger. In the Legislative Council this afternoon the Hon. Mr Millar gave notice of his intention to move, on the third reading, that the Bill be recommitted for the purpose of reconsidering the clauses affecting the constitution of the licensing committee. I should not be at all surprised to see the Bill thrown out on the third reading even yet. Among new notices of motion in the House to-day was one by Mr Reeves to ask the Government if they will take into consideration the advisableness of adding flro insurance business to the life insurance department. Several members loft by the Stella this evening for New Plymouth to inspect the harbor works, in preparation for the debate on the report of the committee, which is to be considered next week. A very warm dis- / ussion is looked for on this question.