POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Patea Mail, 31 July 1880, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Prom our Wellington Correspondent Friday .Night. LENGTH OF SESSION. The Premier states that the session will close about the end of August. He expected the estimates to be all passed by next Wednesday; and the Minister of Public work would be able to make his statement the second week in August. The Government have now taken Wednesdays for Government business, leaving private members practically no chance of bringing on new bills or motions. “ HANSARD.” The vote for reporting the debates in the weekly volumes of “ Hansard” was passed without reduction, namely, £2,500. Mr Andrews objected to this form of reporting, on the ground that “ we shall never have a powerful or good newspaper” so long as the present system continues. Mr Pyke said “ Hansard” is generally read by farmers and miners, a statement which is more surprising than one of his worst jokes. ED UCA TION VOTE. A debate took place on the estimates for Education, £297,730. The Minister proposed to strike off £32,000. Mr McCaughan proposed to strike off £221,299, which would abolish the free system. Mr Pkyc said the colony is going mad over a system of education from which he apprehends the worst possible results. Mr Montgomery took the opposite view, and would spend more rather than less. Mr Saunders would tax tea and sugar to spend more on education. The vote was carried, and the £32,000 will be saved by reducing the salaries of masters, teachers, inspectors, &c.

MAORI PRISONERS. The Maori Prisoners’ Trial Bill has passed both Houses, and received the Governor’s assent. The prisoners can be held in custody during the pleasure of the Government. REDISTRIBUTION. The Redistribution of Seats Bill is to be circulated immediately, and the Premier states that he intends to press it forward this session. Of course this is impracticable. That measure will involve so much discussion and so many amendments, that the Government will find it convenient to drop the Bill after the second reading. They want to test the feeling of the House, as to the principle on which representation is to be based 5 and having done that, they will not waste time by going into committee on the clauses.