POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2555, 16 June 1882, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

[prom our correspondent.] WELLINGTON, June 15. The public petitions committee have reported on the petition of George Maokay and others, of Lyttelton. The petitioners state that the Licensing Committee bad refused to grant any extension of pabliohouaa licenses after ten o’clock, and they pray that Parliament will make such amendments in the Licensing Act as to the hours during which licensed houses can be kept open as will be most convenient to the public. The committee report that, as the subject matter of this petition is now under the consideration of the House, they decline to make any recommendation.

The following notices of motion relative to educational matters have been given for Wednesday next: — 1. Mr Hutchison—“ That this House will to-morrow resolve itself into a committee- of the whole to consider an address to his Excellency the Governor praying that he will recommend for appropriation this year the sum of £IOOO, to be divided among the Educational Boards of the colony, for the purpose of encouraging technical education by means of night schools or otherwise, and for the establishment and encouragement of female classes for sewing and cookery.’ * 2. Mr O’Oallaghan—“That this House will on Wednesday, the 28th day of June, resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider an address to his Excellency the Governor, praying that a portion of the amount paid up to 1880 for incidental expenses to the several Boards of Education may be restored, and that he will recommend for appropriation this year the sum of five shillings per child on the average attendance at the district schools of the colony, with a view of enabling the Boards to return the 10 per cent, deducted from the salaries of schoolmasters.

Late last night, Mr Turnbull gave notice in the House that next week ho will move a motion affirming the opinion that there should bo a progressive land tax upon all land holders to the extent of more than 500 acres. A sharp debate is expected upon this motion, which has already been proclaimed by Sir Q. Grey and Mr Holmes to be the centre and keystone of the policy of the “ Liberal ” party. That the merits of the cental system of weights and the decimal system of coinage may be more practically recognised, Mr Barron has suggested that the Government contracts and Bailway and Custom House businees should be conducted on their bases, and |that the rising in the State Schools ahonld be specially taught the use and advantage of these over the more complicated methods at present in use. A curious petition has been reported on to-day by the public petitions committee. Mr A. 8. Allan, Begistrar of the Supreme Court, Wellington, is the petitioner. He states that being appointed sheriff in 1879, he appointed a bailiff, who retained for his services poundage fees amounting to £9B, less which all the fees received by the petitioner were paid by him into the Treasury, but the Auditor-General has commenced an action against the petitioner for the £9B, wherefore he prays Parliament for relief. The Committee recommend that, -taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, the Government should stop the action, and abandon the claim for a refund of the poundage fees. Mr Daniel’s enthusiasm in nautical matters is becoming infections, and several “Now Zealand Plimsolls” are starting up. Mr Feldwiok was horrified at the dangerous overcrowding of steamers in Wellington harbor last Sunday and elicited from the Government a promise to prosecute the owners. Then to-day Mr Sheehan gave notice of his intention to move for a Select Committee to inquire into the best meant of giving effect to the resolution passed yesterdoy in regard to a training vessel for the colony. The projected visit of members to the Christchurch Exhibition now bids fair to become an accomplished fact. This afternoon Mr J, E. Brown asked without notice whether the Government intended to res pond to the invitation of the promoters of the Exhibition at Christchurch for members to attend that Exhibition, also whether the Government had taken steps to ascertain the general wishes of the House in regard to the subject, and were prepared to make arrangements for hon. members to visit the Exhibition towards the end of the month if they desired to do so. The Hon. Mr BollestOn replied that if it was the general wish of the House to go down to Christchurch the Government would be very glad to offer every facility, and pla?e the Hinemoa at members disposal. Subsequently Mr Brown gave notice of a motion for th? adjournment of the House on the 29th inet. Until the following Tuesday to enable members to attend the Exhibition. Mr Sutton enquired today it it was the intention of the Government to introduce this session a Bill to provide for the management of Hospitals and Charitable Institutions similar to the Bill submitted the last session. The Colonial Secretary replied in the negative, adding that the Colonial Treasurer would explain the intention of the Government in regard to the subject when delivering his financial statement to-morrow night. This boars cut what I telegraphed a few days ago. I have reason to believe that an entirely new and bold departure will be taken in this matter. Major Atkinson is much better to-day, and it is now positively stated that ho will deliver the financial statement to-morrow.

It is understood that the Government scheme in respect to a renewal of assisted immigration will consist mainly in the resumption of the system of nomiaated immigration, within moderate limits, and under certain reasonable restrictions. This, it is thought, will be sufficient for the present season, but it is, of course, possible that the public requirements may necessitate an extension of this principle next year, especially if the new loan be floated. With regard to the question of charitable aid, the scheme of national insurance suggested by Mr Blackley in the “ Contemporary Review ” and the “ Nineteenth Century ” for the prevention of pauperism, has recently been brought into prominence, Bad it is said that the Government are favorably disposed toward the scheme. Its main principles consist in the compulsory payment of a small capital sum (£lO or £ls) before the age of twenty-one by everybody, high or low, rich or poor, which by accumulation would enable him to draw a weekly payment in sickness or old ago, enough at least to maintain him. This idea seems to have g own in favor. . . Mr Barron's motion for referring all future loan proposals to a plebiscite is generally considered impracticable, and the Ministerial side pronounce it utterly absurd. , It will, however, be vigorously debated and have considerable support. I believe the Government have not yet definitely determined what attitude they will assume in regard to Mr Turnbull's proposal of a progressive land tax. I am in a position to state positively that the Government will strongly oppose Mr Sheehan's proposal for throwing all educational reserves into one common fund. 1

bolievo they hold that there is no warrant for *uch a change.at th.i present time, and that as yet there is no rear on to suppose that the step would be Justifiable even at a future date. This should relieve the Canterbury and Otago minds. The Hon. Mr Bryce his given notice to propose the following new 14th clause in the Native Reserves BillWL'ere any reserve has been, or shall be, made for' the benefit, or in trust for the benefit of any Natives, whether individually or oollecti vely, the said word ‘benefit’ in any instrument constituting the trust shall be construed to mean the physical, social, moral, or pecuniary benefit of euch Natives, and ehall extend to include the providing of medical a* sistanoe and medicines, and the proceeds of an)’ such reserve may be applied accordingly.”

Mr Shrimski will move the following new clause in Committee on the Distress Bill : “No barrister, solicitor, attorney, or other legal .practitioner injthe Courts of 3Lvw of tb i» colony shall, from and after the passing o f this Act, lay claim to hold, charge, sustain, establish or otherwise in any manner whatever, set np any lien or liens, cl-dm or claims, charge or charges, p-st, present, or future, upon any deeds, document*, wills, conveyances, transfers, or any kind or kinds of legal parchments or other docamon* wm’cosver, anything contained in any previous statutes to the contrary notwithstanding. If any person shall f, become a bankrupt under the provisions of any bankruptcy law in force for the time being, and if any barrister, solicitor, or attorney shall have in his possession any deeds or other documents of any kind or description belonging to such bankrupt, or in which he may have any interest, the same shall absolutely pass to the official assignee in bankruptcy, subject to any mortgage thereon, without such barrister, solicitor, or attorney being entitled to make any claim for costs, and such barrister, solicitor, or attorney shall prove against the estate for his tailed coats only,” Mr Wright in committee will move the following new clause in the Public Works Bill:-

“The railways working account, published monthly, shall show the grots cost of construction of every railway or section of railway, including the cost of rolling stock and all incidental expenditure, provided that for the purpose of these monthly returns the cost as ascertained at the end of each financial year shall be inserted as the cost during the twelve months next ensuing. The annual returns of railway expenditure shall show in a separate column the cost of all renewals of the permanent way, as distinct from the cost of ordinary maintenance.” Mr Mason, in committee on the Affirmation in Lieu of (Oaths Extension Bill, is to move that clause 2 read as follows:—“ In all oases where any person is now, or may hereafter, be required to take an oath, every such person shall be required to make an affirmation In the words following, that is to say,

' I do truly affirm that (here insert the matter to be affirmed)’ which affirmation shall be of the same effect as if such person had taken the oath, and every person required, authorised, or qualified by any Act or law in force in New Zealand or otherwise, to take or administer such an oath shall permit and accept in lieu thereof the affirmation aforesaid ; but in case any such person shall object to do so, it shall be lawful for such person to take an oath, as provided by law.” 1 hear that a Bill is to be introduced by an Auckland member to compel all Justices of the Peace to pass an examination in law or forfeit the commission.