Political Gossip.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 530, 8 June 1880, Page 2

Political Gossip.

(From our Wellington Correspondent.) Ministers met the Premier in Council on Saturday, and it is understood that the estimates sent in by heads of departments were generally larger than the available revenue, and had to be cut down. This meeting had reference chiefly to the financial statement prepared by Major Atkinson. The contest for leadership of the Opposition is undecided. Sir George Grey is “ rushing” the position by tabling notices of a party character, but Mr Macaudrcw is not idle, and there is an expectation that ( the latter intends to attack the estimates, and assume the lead on those important questions which hinge on finance. Questions are to be asked on Tuesday relating to the road-making on the Plains and the winter holiday amusements of the A.C.’s. Fiji, trade is to bo encouraged by the granting of a subsidy, recently applied for, to an Auckland shipping firm to run a mail service to Levuka. The subsidy is to be fixed at £2,500 a year. The ladies—God bless ’em ! —'arc to have votes, so Dr Wallis says, and he is prepared to champion the political sisterhood- by moving a resolution in the House. That is kind. But doctors arc conspicuous for their delicate attentions to. ladies, as you in Patca know so well.

The Maori prisoners are to remain at Dunedin for the present. The Ministry won’t, release. them, and will not even bring them to trial under habeas corpus. The liberty of the subject is being trifled with as a sacred principle. Ministers’ salaries are to be again attacked by Sir George Grey. He failed to carry his motion for reduction when in office, but he was then opposed by some of his own friends. Now he has the plea of economy to urge, and he may with some justice contend that certain Ministers are not worth their pay. Chinese immigration is said to be under official consideration. It is a ticklish question to touch. The Railway Commissioners’ report is not yet received by the Government ? The Hospital and Charitable Institutions Bill was read a second time on Friday night. Sir W. Fox considered it utterly wrong in principle. He said they should strike at the root of pauperism, close the public-houses, and encourage provident habits among the people, instead of the fruits of the vices of extravagance which working men were now addicted to. Sir George Grey said that if the Government would give the men smiling homes on the land, this bill would be unnecessary, and drinking habits would cease. Just like Sir George. A Bill to legalise the sale of the Waimate Plains is talked of in the lobbies.

Confusion. reigned Supreme at Friday’s sitting of the Legislative Council. Mr Scotland spoke,of :Sir Julias Vogel as a broken-down gambler. Up rose Colonel Brett, and without quite “ drawing” on the traducer of an absent political chief, appealed to the chair to say whether such expression was in order. The Speaker ruled that it was. Other Councillors doubted, this ruling. Excitement ran very high for a few minutes. But is it Parliamentary to call a man a swindler ? The point needs explaining. Had Sir Julius been a member of that House,. it would have been decidedly out of order for another member to describe him as a gambler. A larger liberty is allowed when the person referred to. is not a member. PROPERTY TAX PROTEST. The present Government when they were in the cold shades of Opposition were always anxious that the then Ministry should d-stand ; or falL” on site financial measures. Now is the time for the Hall party to prove that their sentiments are

the same “ in*T as they were “ out.” The Property Tax is, assailed. Meeting after meeting at tfie>j)iincipal centres of population have passed resolutions condemnatory of the principle. Will the Conservative high-toned party dare to stand by their pet will they modify it to suit? Will they have the courage of their opinions,or will they swallow them, and stick to the loaves and fishes of office ?—Wanganui Herald. MR WAKEFIELD EXPLAINS. Mr Edward Wakefield, who cleverly represents the “ Tiinaru Herald ” and sits forGeraldinc, has issued an address to his constituents. He says :—Upon Mr Hall being commanded by tiro Governor to form a new Government, he was good enough to acquaint me early with the names of the gentlemen he contemplated associating with himself, and of the main features of the proposals they were likely to make to Parliament. I informed him that, although 1 saw some objections to the constitution of the new Ministry, and feared their policy would not accord in all respects with my own views, I felt sure the affairs of the country would be safe in their hands, and had no hesitation in giving them an assurance of my best support. I will tell you frankly that my reason for thinking the personnel of the new Ministry not entirely satisfactory was that it resuscitated a considerable element of that tenacious Administration which, whether under the leadership of Sir, William Fox, Mr Waterhouse, Sir Julius Vogel, DrPollenor Major Atkinson, .must ever be held responsible for many of the gravest misfortunes that have hitherto befallen New Zealand.