POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Patea Mail, 27 July 1880, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

From our Wellington Correspondent. ■ Wellington, Monday Night. REDISTRIB JJTWN , OF SEATS. It is rumored that the Redistribution Bill will be introduced merely as a matter of form, and that the Government do not intend to press the measure this session. Probably they will introduce it to ascertain the tenor of opinion on the principle of r representation, and will not seriously, press .it,till after the census in April, when the claims of new districts' rind the 'apportionment of members . could bo deter mind'd with ' accuracy. . . ■ : ; . • TRIENNIAL PARLIAMENTS. ; Ah ’ attempt to repeal the Triennial Parliaments Act is talked of. . Some Opposition members suspect that the Government want to secure themselves in a long term, by repealing the present Act, which limits 'the ’duration to three years. Partisans ftre too ready to impute unworthy motives to each other, ELECTORAL DISTRICTS. s The , new , electoral districts arc expected. - to;. be made public to-morrow through the - Gazette. ' 1 The Egmont district remains undivided, so far as I can ascertain. t RAILWA Y REPORT. / , The Railway Commissioners’ Report, which affects'the West Coast ‘Railway, was received by the . Government'; ; on Saturday.; The nature of the, reepm-

mcmlations will be known in a few days. The extent of public works to be undertaken this year could not be determined until the Railway Report was received. The report is adverse to the Foxton-Wellington line. REDUCTION OF HONORARIUM. A scene took place in the House of Representatives over the reduction of honorarium to members. The discussion was taken late on Friday night. The Chairman ruled that the amounts for the two Houses must bo treated as one. The effect of this was that any motion for reduction must apply to both Houses. Mr Murray proposed a reduction of 20 per cent, in the payment to members, and a total abolition of payment to the Legislative Council. This was rejected on division. Mr McCaugljan proposed a,reduction of 20 per cent, in both houses. This also was lost on division. Mr ' Allwright moved a reduction of 15 per cent, all round. This was rejected by 37 to 33. Mr J. T. Fisher moved a reduction of 10 per cent, in both Houses. This was carried by 49 to 20. Members have been more liberal in reducing the pay of civil servants than of their own.