POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2613, 22 August 1882, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

[FROM THE “PEBflH.”] WELLINGTON, August 21. As I notice that an attempt is being made by the Opposition papers in Canterbury ta hold the Government and the Canterbury Ministerial members up to obloquy, on the scare of their alleged disregard of the in* teresie of the district in not causing agitation for the lowering of the railway rates, it is only fair to point oat that fully a fortnight ago the following notice of motion (as amendment to Supply) was placed on the Order Paper;—Mr Wilson to move—“ That in the opinion of this House encouragement should be given to local productions by a readjustment of the rates of railway freight. That it appears to this House that the freight on agricultural produce is too high, and that the railway tariff should be readjusted, with a view to substantial redaction before the nest grain season,” That has remained on the Supplementary Order Paper ever since, and is heart'ly supported by the other Canterbury members favorable to Ministers.

Tho House met at eleven this morning, and hsa therefore been sitting close on twelve hours, with brief intervals for meals. I am sorry to say the practical outcome of this lengthened sitting Las been infinitesimal. Two or three private Bills were advanced a stage, and Bir George Grey’s Law Practitioners Bill got through its third reading, with a tolerably safe prospect of being thrown out in the Legislative Council. This evening the New Zealand Loan Bill was resumed in Committee, this being the signal for a laeg and wearisome discussion on Mr Shrimskl’* motion in favor of taxing lands benefited by railways. It is impossible to give any adequate idea of the utter weariness of the debate, in which the changes were rung over and over again on all the old trite'argnmenta. Various amendments were moved on the original danse as proposed by Mr Shrimski, and were also discussed at great length. Most of the speakers somewhat inconsistently protest against the waste of time which they weve assisting to oanse. It was not till just before twelve that the question was at length put, and Mr Shrimski’s clause negatived by a majority of 11. But then another new amendment, moved by Mr Seddon, came on, and bids fair to occupy the remainder of the night in debating. The whole thing is degenerating into a mere idle faroo, and the prospect of any substantial progress with public business seems more remote than ever.

I understand that is has been determined by the Government not to make any etatement to-cight as to the future programme_ of the session, that is to say, as to which Bills will be dropped and which proceeded with. It is deemed desirable to get the Loan Bills out of the w»"y first, as until this is done, Ministers can scarcely tell what is their position. They have staked their official existence on the passing of the Loan Bills, and so until these are safe it might be imprudent to make auy further arrangements. Should the House, however, at a later period of the sitting abandon obstruction and push through the loan schedules, then it is possible that the Government may give soma hint as to intentions; but it is more likely that if the Loan Bills are cleared out of the road an effort ill be made to-morrow to get through a good deal of business, and if satisfactory progress is accomplished it might prove practicable to arrange more than at present seems likely. I leara with some surprise that hopes are entertained of carrying both the Land Bill and the Local Government Bills this session. The Lind Bill will of course be emended considerably, most probably in the direction indicated ia the waste lands committee as being advisable, but Ministers appear sanguine of carrying it, notwithstanding the kte period of the session and the seeming impossibility of getting anything through. So also with the Local Finance Bills, which an earnest effort will ba made to pass, it being thought that a large majority of members will support them. I hoar the Loan Bills are pretty safe to go through the Legislative Council all right, contrary to the expectations of many people. There seems hardly any doubt that the Upper House will accept them, however unpalatable, rather then risk tho serious consequence of a conflict with tho other Chamber on such a question. Later. Mr Seddcm’s amendment was also thrown oct, then the whole remainder of original new clause v'as negatived on the voices. The Chairman then put tho question, that the schedule he part of the Bill, on which Mr S’ish moved that progress be reported. This was negatived, and then the schedule was put ss a whole. At this stage Messrs Turnhnl', M. W. Green, and others began to speak at groat larg h. It is rumored that iba Opposition mean to stonewall the .'chodulo’ all night, and the Government are •i< termined to force it through at this sitting if it last a week. Mr Green is now (12.30 i m.) in full swing, and seems likely to go on for hour. The House is rapidly thinning.