POLITICAL NOTIES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2079, 31 July 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTIES.

Another shady transaction is coming to light. Mr Feld wick moved for a return showing the amounts borrowed by the civil servants from the fine fund of the post and telegraph department, but the Government resisted the motion on the ground that it would expose the private affairs of borrowers. Mr Feldwick now asserts that as much as £SOO has been lent without interest to a certain individual, and that various other large sums have been lent on similar ■ terms. Mr Mitchelson admitted the money had been lent without interest, and showed Mr Feldwick a return from which it appeared that the loans ranged from £l3i to £2O. The sum of £371 had been granted to

boating clubs, and only two bonuses of £5 each were granted. Even so this is gross maladministration. Why should favourites get the loan of the money without interest P

The position of the Government is really ridiculous at the present _ time. The House is hacking their estimates about at a tremendous rate, and shows in most pronounced ways that no one has the slightest confidence in them. They, haye held a caucas of the Government supporters, with the view of intimidating them into giving more loyal support, and threatened to dissolve Parliament if this was not given. Some of the weak-kneed submitted, but the skin-flints refused to comply with the mandate and consequently the Government are in a pitiable plight, one thing is sure. They will Hot resign. They want to keep the reigns in their own hands during the session in the hope that by means of the large electorates they will win.

The Hutchison charges committee continue to wrestle with the important matter they have to consider. The enquiry is being conducted on party lines, and apparently there is very little hope of a fair and impartial report. ‘'Honest” John Bryce is leading the attack on behalf of the Government, but so far has been beaten. He moved that Mr Hutchison be the first to be examined, but was beaten by the casting vote of the chairman. The object of this motion was to try and make Mr Hutchison state where he got his information from, because of course if that were known it would be a great lever in the hands of the Government party. Then Sir John Hall wanted to prevent the inquiry extending into the private indebtedness of Ministers, but was defeated on the casting vote _of the chairman. Thus, everything is being done to burk inquiry—a fact which has more than ordinary significance.

Mr Ehodes is going to ask the Government whether they will cause the Eesideut Magistrate to hold a sitting of his court at Fairlie Creek. This was a grievance in that district three years ago, and it ought to have been remedied long ago. It is certainly absurd that no Court is ever held in such a large township and populous district as Fairlie Creek, and Mr Ehodes has not shown any great interest in the wellbeing of his constituents by postponing the matter until he is just going back to seek re-election. Mr Ehodes could certainly have got. the EM. to sit at least once a month in Fairlie Creek long ago if he nad tried, for the request is so reasonable that it could not well be refused. We are ready to give odds that Major Stewart will not be six months representing the district before this grievance is remedied. It is very hard on the Fairlie Creek people to have to come by train a distance of 30 miles 1o Timaru whenever they have a Court case. It is fitter that a well-paid official should go to them than that they should have to bear all this trouble and expense.

The beginning of the end has begun, so to speak. Private members get two days every week to introduce bills or motions of their own, and all the remainder of the week is devoted to bills and other matters initiated by the Government. It is the custom towards the end of each session to take over the private members’ days for Government business, hut it is not usually done until the end is approaching. One of these days has been taken by the Government already, and as the Estimates are being,pushed on with it is an indication that a few weeks will see the close of the session.

That very industrious and able member Major Steward is endeavoring to abolish party government. He has got Parliament to hold a special sitting next Monday evening to debate his proposal to adopt the Swiss system. Under this system Ministers would be appointed by the House, and would resign if defeated. Ministers would then stand in relation to Parliament in a similar position to that in which a board of directors stands with regard to the whole body of shareholders, and VO j»l4 pot resign until a majority ot the House yo|e4 for their expulsion from office. The effect pjc fchis would be that members could then spesk their minds freely, and vote according to their convictions. This they cannot do ppw, as when a Government makes an adyersjs one of want of confidence the yrhple pPSi^ Oll i 0 changed! The whole (juestiop thep whether the Government is tp be turned out or kept in office, apid tfie member has to go Into hia party Jehby. There can be no doubt that party government is played out in ISew Zealand. Everybody is sick of it, and any ph an S e would be gladly welcomed,

Trapping Sparrows.—Speaking of the sparrow nuisance, a correspondent of the Field says In consequence of a note in your columns, J. have lately tried one of Wyatt’s (of Bristol) sparrow t traps, which in shape is like a large spittoon pjade of wickerwok, and find it most successful. It is placed where the poultry are fed, and six to eight sparrows are caught daily. 1 generally leave one hen sparrow in the trap as a decoy. Whan one considers that a single pair of sparrows will roar from eight to lon yanng ones during the next thre* months, thes,e traps seem to deserve a trial whoreevor sparrows numerous, . . ,