WELLINGTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 192, 13 August 1881, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(From oar own correspondent.) [By Telegraph.] Friday 10-40 p.m. Politics are very dull again to-day. There are varions rumors as to the probable programme for th3 remainder of the session, but nothing authentic has yc-t transpired. The general opinion is that nothing more of any consequence will ba dealt with excepting tbe Railway Construction aod Representation Bills and ihe estimates. The Representation Bill baa at last been circulated, but without the schedules, which are not yet ready. The Bill contains nothing new and merely provides for a House of 91 members elected from a like number of electorates. Tbe new electoral rolls made up from the present ones are to be prepared within 30 days from coming into operation of the Act. No pereon can be placed on the roll after the issue of writs for an election until the wriu Hv'e" been returaed. The maps of the proposed districts was laid on the table of the House to-night, and it appears entirely to agree with the boundaries which were telegraphed to you* a week ago; no material change, at any rate, has yet been made, although no doubt there will be a good deal of alteration when the Bill gets into Committee. So far it seems likely that the Canterbury, Otago, Wellington, Taranaki, and Hawke'e Bay members may be depended on to give a general support to the Bill. The Nelson, Westland, and Auckland members are mostly opposing it, the two former because it deprives them of members and the last because the Government refuse to reckon the Maoris among the population to form tbe electoral quota. The real obstacle to the Bill, however, i3 that it ia against the personal interests of nearly all the members excepting a very few whose position is unaffected by its operations, while all arc obliged m regard to popularity to profess an earnest desire to see it become law ; consequently I should not be at all surprised if some unforeseen contingency should have the effect of shelving the Bill; at the same time the Government seem determined to press it on with all vigor. Mr Gisborne followed Mr Hall's speech in moving the second readiug to-night, and made two very good points. He protested against the Constabulary being nckoacd among the Taranaki population ia order to make up the requisite number to entitle that province to retain its three merabors, and ho claimed that as Westland was entitled according to population to two members and a third, it ought to fcfl credited with the fraction of members, and had as much right to get it as the West Coast of North Island. Of coarse the points are palpably yery specious but they possess the merit of ingenuity. A long debate seems probable on the Bill. Another warm discos*

sion is probable on the next motion for going int o Committee of Supply. Mr Bryce to-day gave notice to move on going into Committee of Supply, « That while recognising the efforts made by the Government to effect retrenchment, this House is of opinion that by further reduction of salaries and amalgamation of offices a further reduction of at least £30,000 should be made in the aggregate salaries on the present estimates." It is thought he is acting in the interests of Government and that Ministers will practically accept the amendment when the question ccmes up. The Licensing Bill is not yet out of danger. In the Legislative Council this afternoon the Hon. Mr Millar gave notice of his intention to move on the third reading of the Licencing Bill that it be recommitted fttr the purpose of reconsidering the clauses affecting the Constitution of the Licensing Committee, I should not be at all surprised to see the Bill thrown out on the third rending even yet. Among the new notices of motion in the House to-day was one by Mr Reeves to ask the Government if they will take into considerathe advisability of adding tbe fire insurance business to the life insurance department. This is understood to be in reference to a combination among the insurance companies to exact excessively high rates, and to refuse assistance towards the maintenance of Eire Brigades, &c, Some comment has been excite i by the discovery that Major Atkinson's rather aggressive speech delivered just after the late division on Mr Ormond's want of confidence does not appear in the pages of Hansard. Several members left by the Stella this evening for New Plymouth to inspect the harbor works in preparation for the debate on the report of the committee which is to be considered next week. A very warm discussion is looked for on this question which has assumed a special interest at the present juncture. It is understood that the Public Accounts Committee will report next week in favor of the validation of all the pensions about which so much has been heard lately, namely, Dr Pollen's, Mr Gisborne's, Sir W. Eitzherbert's, and Mr Domett's, but will strongly urge a stricter adherence to the rules in all future oases.