POLITICAL NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2520, 24 June 1893, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

The report of the Controller and Auditor-General is to the effect that under the Public Revenues Act, of 1891. a surcharge of £498, made by the Audit Office agaiust the Receiver of Land Revenue, Christchurch, has been disallowed by the Minister for Lands. The surcharge was made because it appeared that £998 had been received by land orders, whilst the State Forests Act, 1888, prohibited the receipt of more than £SOO. (This refers to Mr Rhodes’s landscrip)- , r Sir John Hall is again to the fore with his Female Franchise Bill. Mr George Fisher caused some amusement in the House by enquiring whether Her Gracious Majesty had acknowledged the hamper of game sent to Windsor or some other royal palace, at the expense of the taxpayers; and if so, in what terms did Her Majesty graciously acknowledge it. (This refers to a hamper sent by a Christchurch man through the Government). Mr Taylor wants a State Bank created by the Government, and Mr Joyce has once more tabled a series of questions respecting the intention of Ministers with Regard tq treatieSi

Mr Fisher is entering into the liquor crusade with all the vigor of a recent convert. He has already given notice of his intention to introduce a Bill to prevent the sale of intoxicants to children, and to deal with “ tied ” houses by prohibiting the holding of publichouses by brewers. The Financial Statement will not vary the tariff or contain any knew departure excepting the readjustment of the tax .on laud and improvements in reduction of the latter. There will not be any proposal for a loan either in the English market or locally. It is understood that the recent visit of the Premier to Auckland was largely actuated by a desire to confer with Sir George Grey upon the projected Native lands legislation, and that the measure to bo introduced has his approval and support.