POLITICAL NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XII, Issue 1737, 18 June 1886, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

. [Wellington papers.] . The object of the Government . Loans to Local Bodies Bill, introduced by the Colonial Treasurer, can be understood from the title. The local bodies rxe to be authorised to borrow from the Treasury for the construction of public works on the security of a special rate and of revenues to- be derived from the public work*- constructed, or from endowments. The local body is to; issue debentures representing the sum borrowed, to be handed to the Colonial Treasurer* The Treasurer ia to hart power, ifhe thinks proper, to have the debts inscribed. We are grind to see that the question of representation readjustment is not to be allowed to rest. Mr Dargaville was to ask the Premier yesterday afternoon, 11 Whether, nowthat the Census returns are available for the purpose, the Government will introduce a Bill to readjust the representation of the people m this House?" The Railways Construction and Land Act Amendment Bill introduced by Mr Beetbam empowers any company or persons who may have constructed a^^ Tailway under the Act^/1) to run lddbmotives and (2) to tak6 fend for accommodation works. It further requires such, company or persons fofenee the railway and other works, and, to maintain the fences. : I mentioned some days ago (says the Wellington correspondent of the Napier Telegraph) that a rumour stated that? Mr Bryce would move an amendment to'v the Loan Bill to reduce the amount of' the new loan, from a million and a half to a million. ■, Whether Mr Bryce really intends moving such an amendment has been doubted, but I have it on the btat authority that unless some other plan is proposed; he will table such an amendment as that I have, indicated, but it is doubtful if anything m that, form will be agreed to. , From conversation with a number of members, I am disposed to think that a move will be made to "edge 'off 1 borrowing, as suggested by the Premier m hig Inyereargill gpeeoh. m the direotion of extending the new loan over a period of two or. three years. The latest proposal to spend the million and a-half is as follows :— £750,000 the first year,- £500,000 the next year, and. £250,000 the third, year. This appears to be the proposal most favoured, and when the Loan Bill is brought on for its second reading, I expect to see some such amendment tabled. I gather that it is almost certain all new railways will be struck out of the loan schedule,