POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2551, 12 June 1882, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

[FBOir THE “FEEB3.] WELLINGTON, June 11.

Nothing fresh of an authoritative nature has transpired respecting tae intention of the Government in regard to the new loan, but it is still believed that the amount proposed to be borrowed will be three millions, to be raised in three or four annual instalments. The first note of interest on tho question was sounded by Mr Barron on Friday. The idea aimed at in his motion is, of course, that Colonial borrowings should be treated similarly to Municipal borrowing. So far as I can judge, however, this proposal does not seem to meet with much favor at present, it being looked on by many as a practical abnegation by Parliament of one of its highest functions in favor of a more plebiscite. I doubt whether either this or Sir Q. Grey’s plebiscite proposal will commend itself to the House.

Sir George Grey has given notice of exactly the same motion as that tabled by Mr Mantoll in “another place,” namely, “that a respectful address bo presented to the Governor, praying him to direct that copies of all despatches between his Excellency and the Secretary of State for the colonies, in continuation of those last presented to Parliament, may be laid before this House," But Sir George Grey wants to know more than this, and he adds, “together with all papers and correspondence connected therewith.” Of course this points to the celebrated document known to have been sent home by Sir A. Gordon respecting Native affairs, especially in connection with the Farihaka matter. I know for certain that it was intended to lay it on the table more than a week ago, had not the passage of the West Coast Peace Preservation Bill been delayed, and the debate thereon taken the form it did. Mr Whitaker’s Bank and Bankers Act Amendment Bill is substantially the same measure as that introduced last session, but slaughtered among so many other “ innocents. ’ It is oast in the shape that last year’s Bill was left in. There will probably be a good deal of opposition to some of its clauses, bub it will most likely get through with some minor amendments.

The Public Offenders Disqualification Act Amendment Bill, introduced by Mr Lovestam, provides that persons who have been convicted of felony, but have undergone their punishment, shall be restored to full civil rights as if they had received a free pardon, except that this shall not apply to capital crimes.

It is now pretty well understood that Government will bring down a Bill providing for payment of members, but nothing has officially transpired beyond the few remarks made in tho House to-day, whan Mr Seddon consented to postpone his Bill on the intimation of Ministers that they intended dealing with the question. I believe there is some hesitation in the Cabinet as to whether members' salary should bo fixed by statute at £2OO, £250, or £3OO per annum.