POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Patea Mail, 23 August 1881, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(BY TELEGRAPH ) FROM OUR PARLIAMENTARY CORRESPONDENT. Monday Night. The feeling was so strong in tne House on Friday night against the New Plymouth harbor scheme, that its few supporters dare not challenge a division on the Premier’s amendment for adopting the report. The Commission is to be appointed by a short bill. It is certain that the works must be stopped, now that the House has passed a resolution to that effect. The Representation Bill is to be discussed in committee to-night. Government supporters now reckon on a large majority, but that is not the opinion of some Opposition members who have motions and amendments in view. The Railway Construction Bill is considered certain to pass. Otago wants its Central Railway, Christchurch wants its line to Hokitika, and Wellington hopes to complete its connection with the West Coast, by means of facilities offered in this bill. Mr Macandrew does not expect to carry his proposals for Separation of the Islands, but he puts them forward as his programme for the elections; Mr Sheehan will propose to add a clause to tbe Representation Bill giving & vote to any holder of a leasehold of £lO annual value, having at least three years to run, or having been held by him three years. Mr DeLatour proposes to give D.P. selectors a right to select a second allotment, making together not over 320 acres. Major Atkinson made a strong speech at close of the debate on the Representation Bill, but not a word appeared in Hansard. He has asked for an inquiry. The schedule of electoral districts, showing proposed boundaries, is now printed as part of the Representation Bill, The Property Tax Bill, proposing to reduce the tax to a halfpenny in the pound, will probably be discussed with some keenness, especially by the doctrinaires, whose theories are many but conflicting. In the debate on the New Plymouth harbor, Sir William Fox made an indirect onslaught on the Wanganui Harbor Board. Everybody knew what he meant by saving another Harbor Board had “ spent £50,000 out of £BO,OOO not only without improving the harbor or river, but to their positive injury.” Mr Ballance rose to defend the Wanganui Board, but he did not succeed in disposing of the figures. He insisted there had been a great improvement in the river. Some members here say the improvement exists in imagination, and is not yet realised. The bill for permitting the use of the Bible in schools, passed by the Council, has had a bad reception in the Lower House. The motion for its first reading was negatived. Mr Fulton will renew the motion on Tuesday.