Wellington.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 46, 4 July 1890, Page 2

Wellington.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Political News.

Matters political are in chaos. The debate in the House on the Financial Statement, which will be the first real business, will commence to-morrow, and it is generally understood that Mr Ballance will move a vote of no-con-fidence, although the exact lines upon which the Opposition will go has not been decided; yet it is pretty certain that among the principal points will be a dissolution forthwith, that the land policy of the Government is deficient, and that the primage duty should be abolished. The Opposition caucus has not yet, however, been held, and a definite course of action will probably be decided upon to-mor-row. The Government are sanguine in their strong position, and rely at least on a majority of from 15 to 20 in any emergency.—Sir George Grey had , the practical sympathy of the House with him in once more moving the second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill. Despite the determined opposition of the long-robed members of the House the second reading passed by a substantial majority. —Mr Hislop’s reply to Mr Fisher’s question—whether the Government had instituted pro* ceedings against the printer and proprietors of the London paper Fairplay for stating that over £60,000 is owing to the Bank of New Zealand by two members of the Government —was somewhat evasive. The truth of the statement is pretty generally acknowledged, but owing to the peculiarly worded form of the question, the Minister was able to give a negative reply.—At a caucus of the Government supporters on Friday, Sir H. Atkinson made a statement to the effect that his health would not permit him to retain the active leadership of the party, and conduct the business in the House. It was felt that it would be fatal to the party of Sir Harry retired, and a compromise was agreed to, whereby he should retain the nominal leadership, although refraining from taking part in the more exciting debates in the House and exacting work of his department. In fact, he will simply give a general supervision over the work in and out of the House. The Press suggested that, taking into account his services to the country, he should receive a pension of £IOOO a year, and be called to the Upper House, where the Colony would still receive the benefit of his varied experience. The suggestion has been much discussed in and out of the House, and in many quarters it has been favourably received.

Trades and Labour.

There has been a split in the ranks of the Trades and Labour Council, Mr D. P, Fisher, the secretary, who < has been ill for some time, due it is said to over-work in connection with the labour dispute, was, it was insinuated at a meeting on Saturday evening, malingering, and that he had not done his duty by not forcing the directors of the woollen mill to carry out the contract re the reinstatement of hands immediately it was settled. Mr Fisher felt so indignant at the insinuation that, having secured a doctor’s certificate of illness, he immediately thereafter tendered his resignation. What the result will be is difficult to foretell, but it is generally conceded that Mr Fisher has done his work well, and that he has been badly treated. The fact is, that unless the directors of these labour agitations display more wisdom than they have shown lately, the interests of labour will suffer.—The agitation re the tram strikes has greatly subsided, and the Company is pursuing the even tenour of its way, but with a very much decreased business. In the meantime the ’Bus Company are reaping a harvest, and in consequence of increased business are greatly extending their plant. The first strike pay was paid on Saturday to the tram employees who were called out.

General.

Permit me to congratulate you upon the enlarged proportions of the Guakdian, as evidenced by your issue of Friday last. I am sure your readers will appreciate your enterprise in a, practical way; at anyrate, if they fail to do so they are not the class of people I take them to be.

The records of our police courts are rather of an unsavoury description. Each morning a fresh batch of unfortunates are brought up before “the beak,” and it is sad to relate that the fair sex are generally well represented. This morning no less than nine drunks wore arrainged, from the first offender to the hardened old sinner of convictions many and oft. It is by no means a healthy sign too that so many juveniles appear in court on charges of larceny. In such cases, however, the First Offenders Probation Act is found to be useful in restraining accession to the ranks of the criminal classes.

A deputation from the City Council waited upon the Railway Commissioners to-day, urging the desirableness of extending the Government line of railway to Tory-street. The Commissioners thought that the proposed extension would be a great convenience

to the travelling public. They pointed out, however, the fact that the crossing at the Queen’s wharf would be a great source of danger. Another objection urged was that there was not sufficient room at the Te Aro end for erection of goods-sheds, &o. It was resolved to interview the Minister of Public Works on the subject.