POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 70, 22 November 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(Owj COBBBSFONDEKT.) Wellington, yesterday. The business of the session still drags along slowly, though ths Vogel affair was anything bnt a pleasant relief from the ordinary routine. The whois thing has been a most discreditable affair, showing how easy it is for little things to develop into grave scandals, Sir Julius Vogel has done himself much injury, while if he had after ths first breeze, abstained from further reference to the matter, he would have scored a point. As it is the sooner tbe matter is dropped the better it will be for all parties, Tbe next question that may cause a little more diver, sion is Vogel's oooupation of one of the Ministerial residences. Tbs Evening Press has done some pretty plain speaking on tbe matter, and though the Government have been very courteous and obliging towards Sir Julius Vogel, there must be an end to human endurance, and the truth is that the ex-Treasurer has been allowed too much latitude. Everyone sympathises with him in his infirmity, but that is no reason why he should impose upon the colony in every possible way. In regard to the residence, it ie really the private pockets of Ministers that have to bear the burden. The debate on the Financial Statement was still'proceeding when Friday night’s adjournment took place.

It is stated that Judge Johnston’s health will probably prevent his again, attending to judicial duties, and in this case Judge Ward will he permanently elevated to tl»e Supreme Court Bench. The Auckland Financial Reform Association han telegraphed its thanks to Mr Thompson for his services in the cause of retrenchment;

A division took place last week on a question by Mr Valentine as to the substitution of a youth for a man as platelayer on the Waimea railway line. The youth was paid 4s 6d a day against 6s 6d paid to his predecessor, and this was objected to. The adjournment of the House beiug moved, eventually the matter dropped. The railway employees are bringing much influence to bear on Parliament to get their interests protected, and much time has been taken up in discussing questions relating to their grievances. This proves what working men can do by combination. The amount of £2,450 has been paid every year for the last eleven years as guaranteed interest to the Wellington Patent Blip Company. The Christchurch Press says that it is time the Opposition recognised that they are actually in the minority, and that all attempts to evade the decision of the country at the elections must end in failure. The House, unfortunately, has other and more important business to attend to than that of indulging in faction fighting; and the sooner the Opposition allow the House to give its undivided attention to the serious task before it, the better it will be for the Opposition themselves.

DIVOBCE EXTENSION AND AMENDMENT BILL; On Thursday evening Mr Samuel moved the second reading of this Bill, the object of which is to extend the operation of the Act to desertion, habitual drunkenness, coupled with neglect or cruelty, sentence for crime and imprisonment, violent assault, adultery, or incm able insanity. The lion gentleman spoke at some length, pointing out the evils which existed under the law as it stood, and contending that it was the duty of the House and of all the people to relieve misery and distress whenever it was practicable to do so. Sir Ju ius Vogel eaid he would have to offer the very strongest opposition to the Bill. One gr und for hie objection was that the Bi'l would still more disturb the want of uniformity in the laws of the Empire on this question. He disproved also any legislation which would tend to encour ge people to bring about dissolution of marriage. He moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Dr Newman supported the Bill, though he thought that in some directions it went too far.

Mr Marchant supported ths second reading, but intimated hie intention of opposing some of its provisions in committee. The Colonial Secretary said he would subport the second Bill, with a view to making it a useful measure in committee. The second reading was carried by 40 to 17.

THE LEWIS APFOINTMBNT. Mr Monk said in connection with the Lewis appointment there had been employed in the Native Office, a young man named Lewie, who in the earlier part of the year was offered a more remunerative situation than he was holding. He left tbe Service, and his father, who was head of the Department, sent in a memo, to the effect that the young gentleman had been dispensed with "in order that he might go to a warmer climate." (Laughter.) Mr Monk said he could understand the House laughing at that statement, since there was a widespread belief that there was not a hotter spot anywhere than this service. Mr Lewis received £64 retiring allowance in consequence of what had been represented, and he submitted that the Minister of that day must have been aware of what had taken place. Mr Ballance made an explanation to the effect that the young man was really in a very bad state of health, and challenged investigation, He stated that Mr Lewis retired on account of severe illness, though hs was aware that a situation had been offered to him.

The Native Minister also made an explanation, and said he did not think anything wrong had been done. Mr Monk, after some further discussion, said there was a great deal of feeling in the department that special consideration had been given to this young man ; and if there was nothing right in these beliefsit was in the interest of the late Minister to have them explained away. The matter then dropped.

The Premier, in answer to Mr Buchanan, subsequently said no Civil servant was entitled to an allowance if he left of his own accord. He should look into the matter that had been mentioned. LOANS BY INSURANCE DEPARTMENT. Mr Seddon asked the Government, (1.) Whether it has been decided by the Government Life Insurance Department to refuse :o make further advances by way of loan on mortgage, and in lieu thereof to invest the surplus funds of the said department in the deficiency bills bearing 5 per cent interest ? (2 ) Whether any negotiaiions relative to this matter have taken place between the Colonial Treasurer and the Insurance Department ?

The Premier replied in the negative to both points of the question. There had been no negotiations of the kind, and it would be interesting to know where rumors of this kind were started. In answer to Mr Hobbs the Premier said he was not aware that members of the Hiuse were employed to make valuations.

CUMULATIVE EDUCATION .VOTE. Major Stewart succeeded in carrying the second reading of his bill to abolish the cumulative vote at the election of School Committees by 40 to 16. He said tbe provision enabling seven votes to be given to one candidate was no part of the original Educaoion Act, but was foisted into the bill in another place under the mistaken idea that it would enable minorities to be represented, and, in a word, was to give the the Roman Catholics a voice on committees. The clause had not, however, worked satisfactorily, towards the Roman Catholics, and had, been used for purposes other than tnose intended. He mentioned the cases of a person who had no chance of election from his own countrymen, but who went to the Chinese camp and got seven Celestials to attend tbe meeting and to give all their votes to him. He therefore recorded 49 votes from seven Chinamen, and was elected. The Minister of Education gave a general approvakof tho measure in its present form, and believed it would provide a simple and good form of election.