LATEST PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP. Wellington July 21.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 112, 25 July 1885, Page 4

LATEST PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP. Wellington July 21.

The Auckland members are taking up a heroic position respecting the attitude of the Canterbury members, who state openly in the lobbies that unless the East and West Coast railway job is carried, they will vote against the North trunk railway and 'JFrisco service. It has been estimated that the cost of the East and West Coast railway, with the value of land, will be Beven millions. Despite this Canterbury bombast, the Auckland members have tacitly decided j to oppose the job, even if it affects their districts' interests. Mr Hurst made a strong point last night when referring to the danger of Sir George Whitmore holding the two offices of Com-mander-in-Chief and membei of the Legislative Council. He said that the command of the Volunteers would give the Commander considerable political influence on the men under him. Mr Macandrew has given notice of motion urging the desirableness of a grand political federation of all English speaking people, and suggesting that a meeting be held at New York, Washington, or London. Mr Pearson this afternoons ask the Government whether they have taken into consideration the expediency of fostering the trade between New Zealand and Queensland, and if so, whether with a view to promoting tbat object they will prepared to recommend the subsidising steam communication between the said colonies. The Agnews have been warned off Parliamentary grounds, in consequence of their incessant importuning of members. The feeling against the East and West Coast Railway proposal is very bitter. There is quite a ferment in the lobby, and Auckland and Otago members are exceedingly active and critical. Mr Whyte asks whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed this session with their proposals for the establishment of boards for the management of the railways of the colony, and if so, when the bill to give effect thereto will be in the hands of hon. members ? j Mr Pyke is introducing bills to provide for the encouragement of schools other than State schools, and amend the Licensing Act. The latter measure is intended to meet such a case as that of the Prince Imperial Hotel, South Dunedin, in which the occupier at the last moment withdrew his application for renewal of the license, to the great detriment of the owner. It seeks to protect the vested interests of the owner. Mr Joyce has given notice to move for a return of the areas of Crown lands in the colony suitable for settlement, with such descriptive remarks as the land department are able to append, the said return to be supplemented by reference maps showing the geographical position of said areas. Sir George Grey has received a letter from the Fiji Annexation Committee, requesting him to support their petition. Major Steward writes to me as follows regarding prospects of his Licensing Ameidment Bill: — "I think the bill is I pretty safe for the second reading, though I hear that some Canterbury licensed vituallers have intimated their disapproval of it, because compensation for loss of licenses U not proposed." The most damaging speech made against Col. Whitmore's appointment to the office of commander- in-chief was that of Captain Russell, who pointed out that with the fortifications now erected the appointment should be ot a permanent and not of a temporary nature. That being so, the gentleman selected for the position should be acquainted with the scope of the duties of military life in the present day, but while Col, Whitmore was a scientific soldier ot a quarter of a century ago, he could not be expected to fulfil the duties required for the office in question. The Petitions Classifications Committee meet to-morrow. I understand from several members thereof that they will refer Sir Julius Vogel's petition to the Public Petitions Committee. The second reading of the Gaming and Lotteries Amendment Bill has been carried in the Legislative Council. The Employment of Females Amendment Bill, which was moved by Mr J. C. Richmond, was thrown out by 21 to 14.