LATEST NEWS. GOVERNMENT EAGER FOR A DISSOLUTION.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 155, 22 May 1886, Page 5

LATEST NEWS. GOVERNMENT EAGER FOR A DISSOLUTION.

An Address with "Nothing to Peck At.' E WELLINGTON, 2 p.m. c The general fooling respecting the Govcrror's spe eh is one of disappointment, and one of the * Auckland members may be credited with put £ ting the matter veiy fairly when lie said " There is nothing to peck at," because there ■ is really nothing in it. ' Nothing can bo said respecting the probability ( of action by the Opposition on the adriress-m- < reply, and it is safe to add that no line of policy has yet been maiked out. This is shewn by the fact that so few prominent members of the < Opposition are here. ( It is not by any means difficult to analyse at present the position of matters political Many : members aifcet to disbelieve that there is a like- * lihood of a short session snd a dissolution, bnt a i large proportion arc d* cidedly of the opposite opinion There is not the slightest doubt that • the Government themselves arc billing if not ' eager, that the House should dissolve. < I nave authority for sayiDg that Mr Stout ia j determined that a>l the Government measures i shall bu accepted without material alt.ra'ions, ' and. they will meet Jinything in the way J of a want -of - '•oDfidence motion half „ way. This, you will remember, represented Mr Stout's views, but of the intentions cf Sir ■ Julius Vo/fcl I da not say anthinar. The other members of tho Cabinet are wholly with Mr ' Stout, and a repetition of the "policy | swallowing " of Ja t yeac ia anything • bus probable. The Ministry at all events claim that they ore entitled to and prooared < ft'i* a dissolution, and at the same time expre> s confidence tbas tncy havo the Country with them. ; The wet end cold weather continues, and ' members for the ruoat part are no* to be seen.

The Address-in-Roply. Mr Taylor, Sydenham's choic?, will second : the Addiees-in- Reply.

Government Whips. Messrs Walker and John McKenzie will again act as Government wbip3 this session.

The New Hebrides Question. The Premier of Victoria doe* not eeem to relißh the last cable re the New Hbbrldes. He inquired what the New Zoaland Government really watit a , atd was referred to the Ag'iitGeneral's demand to the Secretary for the Colonies.

Tawhiao's Visit to Wellington The Hinemoa was to have been despatched to Kawh'a for Tawhiao, but Mr Ballauce received message rrom the King, that lug eldest son was djingr, and that ho will be precluded from vUiiing Wellington at present. Tawhiaos messages are concluded in the most friendly language, and expressed a desire that tbe disturbances between the European and Native population should ba at au end. Mr Bryoe as Leader of the Opposition It is understood that Mr Bryce will be formally requested to undertake the duties of leader of the Opposition.

Railway Statistics. The total revenue of the rail ways of the colony for the financial year was £1,017,418; expenditure, £690.310. The expenditure last year was £690,026; revenue, £1,045,712. There are now 1,613 miles open, aßainat 1,477 in the previous year. The coßt of open lines in the colony is £12,472,012. Mr C. J. Haselden has been appointed Undersecretary to the Department of Justice. Wellington, May 14.

Leadership of the Opposition. In connection with the overtures that have been made to Mr Bryce to assume the leadership of the Opposition, it is stated that Major^ Atkinson would not give way on several points which Mr Bryce expected him to concede. Major Atkinson ia understood to have expressed a willingness to follow Mr Bryce.

Sir George Grey's Attitude. I have Sir George Grey's authority for tating that there is no truth in the report published in the "Times" to-day to the

effect that he intended to move an amendment to the A3dresB-in-Reply. He says such a thing never crossed his mind, but of course hia actions would be governed by circumstances. So far as i a, at present known there does not appear to be any likelihood of an amendment to theAddress-iu-Keply,

Tawhiao and the Government. Sir George Grey informs me that he has received a telegram irom Tawhiao to the effect that his stepson, Henare Kaibu, is on his way to Wellington with a message to the Government respecting the Maori King's attitude. He invites Sir George Grey's co-operation in the matter. Sir George Grey anticipates that Tawbiao, in deference to the wishes of the native race, will give in his adhesion to the Government with a view to relieving their embarrassment, and thus terminate tho period of isolation which tho natives have so long pursued.

Early Sittings. Mr Macandrew thinks that the question of the early closing of Parliament should be undertaken by some members of the young New Zealand party, and anticipates that Mr Scobie McKenzie will move in the direction of affirming the days of sittings of the House. It will be recollected that last year the members for Port Chalmers got the principle affirmed, but when the Committee's report came up for consideration the proposal was lost by a bare

majority. Abolition of Entail. The Attorney-General has prepared a measure providing for the abolishment ot the law of entail which Mr Connolly has unsuccessfully endeavoured to make law for some years. The bill will be ready for circulation early next week.

Committees The following are the name 3 of Auckland Members on the principal Sessional Committeea -.—Literary Committee, Sir George Grey, Messrs Hurst and Lake; Standing Orders, Messrs Hamlin and Dargaville ; Petitions, Messrs Thomson and White ; Local Billp, Mr Buckland ; Goldfields, Messrs Cadman and Fruser.

Friendly Benefit; Societies, In the annual report ot the Registrar of Friendly Societies for the year, which has just boen presented to Parliament, the writeri ter cays :— " Of the financial position of the Societies in this colony as a whole it is impossible as yet to speak with certainty. A few Societies may be congratulated on their success ; some on the other hand are undoubtedly unsound ; of the rest, some have been established very recently, while others have had to go through a painful experience. These, finding their contributions inadequate, have manfully faced the difficulty, and although the recovery of lost ground is a slow process, they will, in time, doubtless have the satisfaction of finding their determination crowned with the success that it deserves. Of some, it must be said with regret that their valuation having been made, and their position explained to them, they have made no attempt to carry out the advice which the valuer has tendered them." Referring to the desirability of a graduated Heale of fees, the Registrar says . — " Assuming the average contribution for all ages to be sufficient, it is manifest that where there is a uniform rate, the younger members must be charged too much. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that members will join in equal proportion at all ages, and if younger men should be kept aloof from such societies which have not done so, by the very existence side by eide with them of those which have, the more fully the subject is understood, the greater will be the proportion of young men, who, when deciding what society they will join, will make choice of one which is able to sny that members admitted at the higher ages contribute their fair share to the common fund in preference to a society in which, even on the doubtful t-npposition that the average contribution is sufficient, the deficiency in the contributions of the older entrants is made good bv a tax upon the younger." The total number of new registrations for the year was 25, of which the Foi esters claim 9, the Druids 4, the Manchester Oddfellows, Sons and Daughters of Temperance, and Rechabites two each, the American Oddfellows, Working Men's Club, and Good Templars one each. Three societies registered under the Trades Union Act, Stewards and Cooks, Lumpers, and Federated Seamen. Statistics are given dealing with 2SI branches and societies as follows :—Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, 109 lodges ; Independent Order of Oddfellows (Ameiican), 12 lodges ; National Independent Order of Oddfellows, 2 lodges; Ancient Order of Foresters, 72 courts; Ancient Order of Shepherds, 2 sanctuaries ; United Ancient Order of Druids, 31 ; Lodges : Loyal United Fiiends Benefit Society, 1 Lodge; Independent Order of Rechabites, 27 tents ; Sons and Daughters of Temperance, 4 divisions ; Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society, 11 Branches : Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Australasia, S Lodges ; Railway Employe's' Benefit Society, 2 societies. The number of members of the abovementioned lodges at the end of the year was 21,144. Their total funds at that date were £290,738 10a 7d, of which £255,640 2s 10s belonged to the sick and iuneral funds. In addition to the latter,funeral funds held by the contral bodies amounted to £22,706 13s 6d. The mortality amongst members is 7 05 per 1,000 ; the mortality nmongst members' wive.s, 4 "57 per 1,000 j the number of sick members during the year was 3,048, or 1578 per cent. ; the average per member for medical attendance and medicine wan 19s ; for expenses of management, 10s lid ; average rate of interest on the total fund at interest was 7'l per cent.

Patents. The number of patents applied for during 1885 was 325, but a considerable number of these was obtained by foreign inventions ; 14 lapsed for non-payment of renewal fees.

Life Insurance. An effort will be made in the House during the present session to bring the Government Life Insurance Department back entirely under Government control, and to establish Local Boarda, notwithstanding the result of the plebiscite.

Educational Endowments. Briefly stated, the substance of a return of educational endowments in the principal districts is as follows -.—Auckland, 54,129 acres, valued at £64,692, and yielding a revenue t of £1,533; Bawke'a Bay, 38,083 acres, valued at £54,594, and yielding a revenue of £2,037; Wellington, 27,134 acres, yielding a revenue of £7,643 ; Canterbury, 4,519 acres, valued at £205,047, and yielding a revenue of £13,323 ; Otago, 351.458 acres, valued at£315,554, and yielding a return of £15,211.

• The Impounding Act. Some of the country members are exercised in consequence of the anomalous state of things existing under

the new Impounding Act. It is eaid that an injured, party has no redress until the animal is impounded, and cannot recover for trespass and loss. In many districts there is no pound at all, and consequently no redress whatever. It is intended to ask the Government to amend the Act where, according to recent decisions, it is faulty.

Payment to General Steward. The Government recently authorised the Agent - General to remunerate General Steward at the rate of £1,000 per annum for his services in connection with ordering and inspection of war material for the colony. They have also communicated with the Government of other colonies relative to future arrangements for joint payments.

The Secretary of State and Mr Kellys South Sea Report. The Right Hon. Col. Stanley, M.P., writing to Governor Jervoia for a further supply of twelve copies of Mr J. L, Kellys report to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce on the South Sea Islands, says he has read with much interest this valuable report, which will be of great advantage to him in dealing with matters connected with these Islands.

Post office Funds. The interest which accrued during the year 1885 from securities on account of the Post-office fund was £11,263.

Forest Conse vation. The Minister for Lands informs me that ;he Government in a few days intend proclaiming a large extent of country as forest reserves under the Act passed last session. The land chosen is specially selected and recommended by Professor Kirk. The neceseary regulations have been prepared, and the forests will shortly be proclaimed in various districts of the colony. Nearly all the Chairmen of the various County Councils have consented to act as conservators under the Act.

An Auckland Residence for Tawhiao. The Government intend introducing a bill to carry out an arrangement entered into when Sir Geo. Grey was Governor of the colony, whereby certain lands in the suburbs of Auckland were conveyed to Potatau, Tawhiao's father. These lands wero subsequently confiscated, but have since been restored, and the title being in a somewhat unsatisfactory state, the present measure is to be introduced with a vieyr of setting the matter right.

The Government Loan Proposals. ' All sorta of rumours have been flying : about as to the intention of the Governmont ' with respect to their loan proposals. Those ' who profess to be "in the know" avow that the House will be asked to sanction a loan of twelve millions, extending over a ( period of ten years. I have been at some i pains to get some definite information on the subject, but have failed. Ministers decline to be "drawn out" in any way, and say that not even their own whips will be acquainted with their views on the matter till the Financial Statement is presented, '

The Address-in-Reply. The '* Evening Post " does not anticipate that any adverse action will follow "the moving of the Address-in-Reply. It says : " There is nothing in the speech to alarm people or to excite opposition, -while the tone of hopeful confidence in the colony and ita prospects which runs through it will undoubtedly prove beneficial both at Home and abroad. A wi t e policy of steady progress is clearly indicated in regard to public works, and the principle ia insisted on that these must be carried on in the manner most calculated to secure sound economic results. By this is meant that a railway being once authorised as necessary work is not to be allowed to drag its slow length along year after year, eating its head off as it were in interest and yarning nothing, but is to be pushed on as rapidly as cau be to full completion, so as to become reproductive at tho earliest possible moment." Speaking of the Governor's speech, <he Wellington "Press" says: -"At the fiiPt glance it appears studiously unaggiessive, but it really contains a great deal under the surface. In a word, though the Ministry have shown a laudable desire to make theic programme as ehort and as light as possible, and have verj cleverly disguised all questionable items in it, they have nevertheless laid before Parliament ample material to produce a long and stormy session. ' Let us alone and give us a loan ' was no doubt all they wished to say, but they have been compelled, whether they liked or not, to say a great deal more than that."

Mr Bryce. Mr Bryce was in town during the greater part of yesterday, and was warmly congratulated in all directions on his success in the Old Country. Political friends and opponents alike joined in the congratulations. He does not return from Wanganui till next Friday.

Duration of the Present Parliament There has been a great deal of talk here respecting the duration of the present Parliament. The opinion has prevailed that Parliament expired after the present session, but this is not so. Tho duration is for three years, independent ot the number of sessions, and the Home therefore dissolves by effluxion of time in August next year, unless there is a dissolutfon in the meantime. Probably the Houso would be in session at the time, but its duration could be extended for an additional two months, when a dissolution would follow.

Kind Words for an Old Aucklander. The "Post" publishes a complimentary article respecting Mr W. Mitchell, who is retiring from the "Hansard" et.afi: in consequence of ill health. It says that, with the exception of the chief reporter, he is the only member of the present staff who was connected with "Hansard" at the commencement of that publication 19 years ago, and he has done much for its establishment and permanency: "We are personally aware that during the first few years of its existence, owing to the difficulty of obtaining efficient shorthand writers, and the smallness of the staff, those employed in reporting the proceedings of both Houses had to perform duties of a very arduous and exhausting nature. The ealaiy paid was in inverse ratio to the services rendered They, however, took a pride in their woik, and the New Zealand " Hansard" for fulness, accuracy and the generally excellent character of the reports, will bear favourable comparison with any official record of Parliamentary proceedings issued in any of the Australian Colonies. Mr Mitchell had been appointed by the lion. Speaker shorthand writer to Select Committies. He is an old pressman, having come to this colony in 1564 under engagement to the ' Daily Southern Cross' newspaper. For a number of years, and until the abolition of provincial institutions, he held a responsible position under Auckland Provincial Government, and wag subsequently employed by the General Government. We trust he will be long spared to cccupy his new position, and enjoy better health than he has had for a considerable time past. Mr Mitchell has deserved well of Parliament, and we trust the House will recognise his services in a substantial manner,"

Business in General. Tiie business of the session commences in earnest this afternoon . Nearly all the mem bera are here, but Messrs Thompson, Peacock, Dargavilie, and Grace, from Auckland, have not yet arrived. The weather is fine at last. In matters political, things are fearfully and abnormally dull, and till we know precisely the nature of the Finance Statement, it must be so. We are in the position of those who are waiting for a verdict, and meanwhile speculation is rife as to what that verdict will bo. The "New Zealand Times" this morning predicts that four millions will be asked for, extending over ttvo years. This is, no doubt, put forward as a feeler, but Ministers decline to be drawn out.

The Financial Statement. The Financial statement is ready for tho printer, and should not a block in the Government printing office intervene, will be delivered on Tuesday next. The Public Works Statement is also in course of compilation, and should be delivered the following week.

The Address-in-Reply. This afternoon's sitting will be occupied with formal business merely, and at 7.30 the Address-in Reply will be taken. Mr Bevan, in moving it, will, I understand, give a cordial approval to the Ministerial policy, and in connection with the native question, will eulogise Mr Bryce's conduct in connection with the libel action. So graceful a compliment to the ex-Native Minister from a warm supporter of the Government is sure to be applauded by the House.

Grand Volunteer Demonstration. It is the intention of the Defence Minister to call out the whole of the volunters in the North Island for a grand military display and attack on the Prince of Wales' Birthday. He says Auckland will probabl/ be selected as the scene of manoeuvres, but he is not definitely decided yet.

The Reported Row in Cabinet. Ministers deny that there has been anything approaching to a quarrel between the Premier and the Treasurer, but the story which I telegraphed is nevertheless widely current in the lobbies, and the "Times" hints at it this morning. There is not the slightest doubt that Mr Stout did put his foot down.

The Financial Statement. It is understood that the Financial Statement will be on the lines of the Premier's Invercargill address, Sir Julius Vogel having surrendered the position he previously took up.

Sydenham Election. The Sydenham election is only a matter of political gossip. It is thought that a new election will not have to be held. The Minister for Mines has prepared a measure dealing with coal mines. Recognising that coal-mining has become an mportant and extensive industry, regulations will be issued whereby the matter can be dealt with under a separate Bill. It will be styled " An Act to Regulate the Granting ot Coal Mines Leas.es, and to make better. provision for the Working, Regulation, and Inspection of Coal Mines." Another measure that Mr. Larnach will introduce is the Mining Companys' Bill, 'which aHecta the constitution of mining companies and the preparation of balance sheets, so that the latter may be put before the shareholders in a clear foim, and give the . information necessary for shareholders and the public geneially. Sir Julius Vogel has prepared a Lost Debenture Bill, which provides that, upon the loss of a debenture, the Governor-in-Council may direct the issue of a new debenture on the consolidated stock, in lieu thereof, upon getting indemnity.

The Government Loan Proposals. It is no secret that the relations of the two most prominent members of the Cabinet are not as cordial as they should be, and the latest lobby gossip is that a "breeze" took place between them at the last Cabinet meeting. Sir Julius Gogel, it is baid, advocated a loan of not less than ten millions, and Mr Stout absolutely refused to consent. During the argument Sir Julius Vogel said rather hotly, " I have to find the means ; " and, replied Mr Stout, with equal warmth, " 1 have to look after the interests of the colony !" It is believed that the loan proposals will be a million and a half per annum, extending over several years.

State Bank of Issue. The Hon. Mr Batbgate intends bringing before the Legislative Council his usual bill for the establishment of a State bank of issue. As a preliminary, he is on Tuesday going to move for an elaborate return of the interest, commission, brokerage, exchange, and other expenses paid by the Government to English and colonial banks and the loan agents for each of the last five years. The return is also to show the interest credited to the colony by the Bank of New Zealand during the fame period.

The East and West Coast Railway. The Government have received advices from the Agent-General announcing that the seal of the nevr Midland Kail way Company ha 9 been affixed to the assignment of the contract to the Company, and that a deposit of £5,000 has been paid by the directors to the A gent-General.

Law Practitioners Bill. Sir George Grey will, this session, re- ' introduce his pet measures, the Law Practitioners Act and Evidence Amendment Act, both ot which bills are sure to meet with the usual amount of vigorous opposition from members belonging to the legal

profession. Sir George Grey's Land Bill. SirGeorgeGreywill also introduce a Lands Settlement Bill, in the interests of which he recently stumped the country. This provides tor small farms, and is equally applicable to Crown granted land?, native lands, and Government or Crown lands. He anticipates considerable opposition to the measure, and in the course of conversa ion on tho matter led me to anticipate that he did not expect the House would do more than affirm the principle that large blocks of* land should not continue to bo held by any one person or Company.

Marrying Maori Heiresses. Since the removal of right of pre-emption, it has transpired that Europeans have enriched themselves and acquired large blocks, of native land by marrying Maori women. One instance is on record where an enterprising individual had a block of 500,000 acres banded over to him by tho Native Lands Court. Sir George Grey intends to introduce a bill to prevent this sort of thing, and the measure will provide that in such cases the husband cannot get possession of land, and that it be held for the heirs of the wife.

Tawhiao's Proposal. Tho Hon. Mr Ballance has reason for believing that the letter which Henare Kaihu is bringing from Tawhiao contains a petition to Parliament for establishing a runanga, or Maori Parliament. The Native Minister will not take up such a proposal, but will give Tawhiao facilities for bring ing in a bill from his pjace in the Legislative Council.