POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 380, 26 June 1889, Page 5

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Wellinutox, June 24. THE GOVERNOR'S SALARY. The Premier laid on the table despatches between the Secretary of State and fche late Governor. In the despatch re the reduction of the Governor's salary, Lord Knutsford bays he can quite understand in the present state of finance of the colony, and the reduction of income throughout the service, a desire on the part of the Government that the emoluments of the Governors be diminished in proportion. At the same time, it is expedient that the hospitality of Government House and the practice of former Governors of visiting the various towns should bo subject to like modifications. It was unreasonable to expect him to travel or exercise hospitality to the same extent as with the old allowance. He trusted as soon as circumstances allowed that the emolumonts should be placed on the previous footing.

I NATIVE BILLS. Among tho despatches from the Secretary of State, is a petition from certain native chiefs to the Queen against the Native Bills passed last session. Ib states that as the subject of these Acts is one within the competence of the New Zealand Government to legislate upon, Her Majesty could not meeb the prayer of the petitioners.

QUESTIONS. A number of questions are to be asked today. Mr Joyce asks re the affirming by the New South Wales Government of the abolition of the import duties on farm and produce which are still levied, and asking for an early opportunity for the House to discuss a reciprocal tariff treaty with New South Wales. Mr Joyce is also to ask to-day for the opportunity lor the House to discuss the proposals re, the Canadian-Pacific mail service, and also if the Premier would entertain proposals for a reciprocal tariff treaty with Canada. Mr Ross is to ask for a return of the outward and inward cargo and passengers by the 'Frisco and direct steamers, and also the quantity and value of the coal supplied in the colony to the said steamers during the last year.

NEW BILLS. Notico was given of the introduction of Bills as follows .-—Eight Hours Bill (Mr Taylor), Town Districts Amendment Bill (Mr Rhodes), Divorce Amendment Bill (Mr Samuel), Cemeteries Amendment Bill (Mr Izard), Auctioneers Amendment Bill (Mr Simuel), Shop Hours Bill and Criminal Guidance Bill (Mr Hutchison). Mr Hutchison's Criminal Evidence Bill provides for calling husband or wife as witness in any indictable or summary case always with their consent, and provided the person charged raises no objection save in cases where such witnesses might be compelled to give evidence under the existinp-law. The person charged to have the option of giving evidence if he consents to be examined as an ordinary witness without privilege. If he ret uses, that fact will not go against him. This is only when he is not defended, and he must be cautioned to the above effect by Court. On Tuesday, Mr Joyce moves for reports, etc., re the escape of the prisoner Roberts and the removal of Gaoler OBrien to Hokitiko. Mr Hutchison on Wednesday will move for a select committee to inquire into the Westl&ud coal fields having become a subject of monopoly, and suggesting remedial | measures.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS. Mr Steward's Educational Franchise Bill follows closely on the lines of the measure introduced by him last session and thrown out in the Legislative Council. Ib provides for clearly defining the term "householders," the abolition of the cumulative vote, and prior nomination for committees. A new provision has been inserted, making it prohibitory on employees under the Education Department to serve on school committees, as in the case which occurred ab Tauranga. The Bill will probably be taken in charge in the Council by Mr G. McLean.

FLAX INDUSTRY. The Premier has promised that the Government will take into consideration the utilising of railway reserves for flax growing as a source of revenue, and will communicate with the Commissioners on the, subject.

STATE - AIDED EDUCATION. The claims of the Roman Catholics on Stafco aid for educational purposes are again being pressed by Mr Pykes Private School Bill, which aims at giving private schools the same capitation as that granted to public schools.

DIVORCE BILL. The Divorce Extension and Amendment Bill to be introduced by Mr Samuel is yery similar to those drafted by-him for each ot the last four sessions. It provides that after passing of the Act a wife shall havo the same right to petition on the ground of her husband's adultery as the husband now has in respect to the wife's. Desertion occurring within New Zealand and continued without excuse for 7 years, is also constituted a just ground for severance of the marriage tie by either husband or wife. It also provides that they may petition for a | divorce in case either of them is and has been for not less than a year befoi-e presentation of petition, imprisoned for some , crime, under sentence of penal servitude of imprisonment for life, or for a term of seven years or upwards. Power is given to the 1 Court to dismiss any petition in case 1 the petitioner himself has induced or 1 largely contributed to the wrongs cora1 plained of, and the Court may suspend leave to re-marry for any period as against either party. Some slight alterations of pro- • cedure are also provided, removing any i doubt as to the sufficiency of service of > petitions on the Solicitor-General, prohibit- > iner the issue of orders requiring a husband l to pay his guilty wife's costs, and allowing I the Court to prohibit the publication of cvii dence until a judgment has been pro- > nounred.

PETITIONS. Mr R. Thompson has presented a petition 1 from the N^fph Auckland Hospital and'

Charitable Board, and County Councils.in the. North Island, against their, being required to give;aid to aboriginal natives, unless the native, lands and property are rated for such purpose, and praying for amendment of, Acta to relieve them. Mr Thompson also presented a petition from John Skelton Banks, who was dismissed from the police forge in 1880, praying for re-instalment. - , Mr Moat presented a petition from John Bakes, of Warkworth, praying for relief with respect to certain lands which petitioner was entitled to. Mr Thompson presented a similar petition from Euphemia McPhee, of Whangarei.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Premier informed the House fehat i^ the Address-in-Reply were disposed of last night ho proposed to bringdown the Financial Statement on Tuesday morning or as soon after that as possible. The Colonial Secretary would make a statement as to* the provisions of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, making full exposition of it on a motion for leave to bring it in, instead of awaiting its introduction. The Public Works Statement will follow as soon as possible.

VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS. Mr R. Thompson is early moving in the matter of village settlements, and is to move for a return showing the total amount of money expended in connection with the village settlements at Herekino, Motukaraka, and Punakiceri separately, and the number ot sections taken up in each settlement, tho number of settlers now residing in each settlement, amount paid by each settler for advances or for road works shown separately, and paid in cash or by bank cheque, and the amount paid on orders to each settler.

SWEATING SYSTEM. Mr Taylor opens up the subject of the sweating system, and will move " That in the opinion of this House, it is absolutely necessary in the interests of a very large number of the working classes of the colony,, that the Government shall without delay appoint a Commissioner to inquire into the sweating system which prevails in the large centres of population throughout the colony, and report as to the besb method of dealing with or eradicating such a cruel system." Also touching on the labour question Mr Joyce is to ask the Premier if he will amend the Government Railway, Act, 1887. in the direction of limiting the hours of labour of railway employees on ordinary working days, and providing that payment shall be mad© to all railway serdants who work on Sundays and beyond proposed statutory limited hours in each ay.

FROZEN MEAT. Mr W. P. Reeves is to a&lc the Premier whether the Government will endeavour to secure the co-operation of other Australasian colonies in approaching the Imperial Government with the view of getting an Act passed to oblige butchers and frozen meat importers in the United Kingdom bo mark and sell such meat as the frozen imported article under sufficient penalty. He thinks such an Act will meet with ready acceptance in England.

LARGE LAND ORDER. Mr Joyce is moving for a return show ing the list of persons or companies who have freehold blocks of land 5,000 acres and upwards, giving value of land, and value of any improvements) thereon, according to the last property tax returns and valuations, names of owner of each block, whether in his possession, or, if let, rental thereof, area of each holding, and the county or district in which the land is situated.

REGULATION OF PENSION'S. ' 3Nlr Fyke wants to know if the Premier will bring down a Bill for the better regulation of the payment of pensions to ablebodied officers and providing for the cessation of such payments during a period for which any pensionary shall hereafter be elected to the House ot Representatives, 01 be elected or appointed to the Legislative Council, or hold a seat therein.

VACCINATION LAWS. Mr Saunders, the new member for Lin coin, has made an early starb, and has tabled a notice of motion directly attacking the existing vaccination laws of the colony.

TOWN Y. COUNTRY. The general impression prevails in the House that one of the chief features of the session will be the frequent occurrence of struggles between town and country respecting the Property Tax, Electoral Bill andJCharitable Aid Bill. The country party made an early start, as a meeting was held this morning, when 28 wore present. The meeting was for the purpose of considering the question of increasing the quoto of representation in favour of the country districts. Mr Seymour was in the chair. Mr McArthur, of Manawatu, introduced the business, and after a lenghty Bpeoch moved for a committee consisting of the Chairman, Mr Lance, and the mover, which was appointed to see Government prior to bringing down the Electoral Bill, and convene another meeting later on to consider the whole question. When the House meets to-morrow there should, be a good muster, as numbers of members from the North and South have arrived during the last couple of days. Ministers were very busy in Cabinet all Saturday, and were not to be seen by many who were anxiously waiting for them. The session promises to be very busy while it lasts, but those best able to jude:e anticipate its being short, but then the wheel of politics takes most surprising turns. Mr Taylors Eight Hours Bill is the same as that fathered in previous sessions by Mr Bradshaw and Sir George Grey. The Minister of Defence introduced an amendment of the Bankruptcy Act Bill to enable KM.'s to deal with all estates not exceeding £200.

V PROBATION OFFICERS. Attention is to be directed to probation officers by Mr W. P. Reeves, who is to ask whether the Government vvill consider the advisability of ceasing to appoint gaolers as probation officers under the Probation Act, and substitute for all now acting in that capacity some persons whose occupation enables them to have fuller knowledge and form better judgment of the character of applicants for probation.

Dairy farming in the Taieri is evidently going to pay very well. Though it is now yery nearly raid winter, there are still 500 gallons of milk a day going to the Henley factory. Out of this supply, which comes from only 15 settlers, ' 801bs of butter and scwfc of cheese are made daily. Lost season the Henley Company got the highest price that was given tor New- Zealand cheese in the Home market, and this after 25 per cent, of thecream had been extracted from the milk ueed in manufacture. The cheese was so rich tjhat, this plan had to be resorted to, with the; result that, working expenses were paid out of the 25 per, cent, of croaiu, which was used , for making butter.