POLITICAL NOTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2523, 1 July 1893, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

Thelaudscrip question is not yet settled. It keeps cropping up in Parliament almost every day. Mr Meredith, who was the first to expose it, is still following it up, but it appears that others besides Mr Rhodes are concerned in it, as the Premier has introduced a Bill to legalise a refund of £3871 19s 6d, being the value of land orders irregularly accepted by the Receiver of Land Revene, Christchurch. This is called the Lake Ellesmere Land Bill, and it has passed the second reading. We have no information to show who is to refund the money, but so far as we can see it is merely a technical measure to enable credit being transferred from one account to another. It does not seem that those who took advantage of the Receiver of Land Revenue's ignorance will have to refund the money. It is, however, probable more will be heard of it.

There is a peculiar dispute between the Speakers of both Houses and the Government. There are certain Parliamentary officers who are under the control of the Speaker, they get good salaries, but have nothing to do except while the Parliament is in session. The Government are trying to bring these officers under their own control, so as to make them work during the recess, but the Speakers object, and lienee the conflict. It appears to us the Government are right. These officers ought to work all the year round like other people.

The commissioners appointed to investigate the charges brought by Mr Ell of Christchurch, against Mr Bloxhara. registrar of the Supreme Court, and Mr Latter, Official Assignee in Bankruptcy, have reported that Mr Ell is entitled to £2OO compensation. Poor Mr Ell has been fighting for this many years. His allegations were that he was in the first place swindled by lawyers, and that when he was driven into the bankruptcy court these officers’ actions resulted in his ruin. He has held several public meetings to expose his grievances, till at last ho became a laughing stock. He has tried to get previous Governments to inquire into his charges, but has hitherto failed, and now it is made plain that the unfortunate man was right all along. It is a monstrous thing that a man should be ruined by the negligence of public officers.

The report of the Minister of Education shows that the increase in the average attendance at the primary schools is 4653. The total number on the rolls is 122.620. The number in North Canterbury decreased by 245, and Nelson by 67. The per centage of passes is 52. G,

The Native Land Bill introduced into Parliament is intended to deal with native land in the South Island on the lines recommended by the late Judge Mackay. The land will'be cut up, and each native will get his own share.

The Cadmam-Rees affair has taken a new turn since our last issue. Mr Cadman has resigned his s at in the Ministry but not his seat in Parliament. Mr Rees threatened to get a committee to inquire into the case, but he finds now that the members have turned against him. There are talks of bringing charges of corrupt dealings in native lands against Mr Rees himself.

The Direct Veto Bill introduced by Sir Robert Stout provides that the licensing districts shall be co-terminus with the electoral districts, and that a poll of the inhabitants will be taken on the same day as the general election of members of Parliament shall be held. We have not seen the Bill yet, but no doubt* electors will get two papers, one to vote for a member, and the other to vote on whether public houses shall or shall not be licensed in the district.

Mr Fisher made n violent attack on the Hon. W. P. Reeves last Wednesday night. Mr Reeves said that Mr Fisher was kicked out of the Atkinson Ministry, and that he had to turn his coat so as to the imprint of Sir Harry Atkinson’s on the tail of it. hob-nail b 00.,.,

The debate on the was brought to a close by good generalship. Mr Fisher made a violent attack on Sir Robert Stout, and everyone thought the latter gentleman would reply. Mr Scobie Mackinzie was piling up notes and blue books to demolish Sir Robert if he had spoken, but Mr Fisher’s oration was treated with contempt. Sir Robert took no notice of him, and Mr R. M. Taylor was put up to reply. Most of the Opposition members cleared out, and when none of them were ready to continue the debate Mr Taylor sat down contentedly. The result was that the motion was carried before the Opposition knew what was going on. It is said that Mr Scobio Mackenzie almost fainted when he found he had lost the opportunity of delivering his great speech.