PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5152, 22 July 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[Br Telegbaph:.]

(fbom own oub cobrespondent.)

Wellington, Last night.

Mr Macandrow made advances on the Land Committee to-day, and obtained leave to extend the time for bringing np the report for another month. Mr Maeandrew will suggest the following resolutions for the consideration of the Com* mittee:—l. One of the chief drawbacks to the full and successful development, in the agricultural and pastoral resources of New Zealand, by men of limited means, is the high rate of interest en mortgage, and the extent of which such interest is withdrawn from the colony by absentee mortgagees. .2. Great benefits have" resulted in various countries arising out of loan advauces by the State on the security of land. 3 Without risk of loss to the State, the public credit in New Zealand might with advantage be applied towards enabling settlers, on the security of their land, to acquire advances at a comparatively low rate of interest; such advances might be made through the Land Transfer Department, in sums not exceeding say £2COO to aDy one individual, for any period not exceeding say 10 years, at a rate of interest of say 4 per cent, per annum, not to exceed two thirds of the value as fixed under the Property Assessment; all mortgagees to be entitled to cancel mortgage at any lime on payment of principal and interest to date of cancelia* tion. The sole instrument of mortgage shall be the indorsation thereof on the certificate of title, and its registration in the Land Transfer Office books. 4. The amount advanced shall be in New Zealand Government notes, which notes shall be legal tender throughout the colony, and convertable at the Colonial Treasury into Government debentures of not less than say £1 each, bearing interest at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum with a currency of bank, the year's principal and interest to *bo payable either at the Colonial Treasury or the Bank of England.

The otber day I gave you a rumor, to the effect that Sir J. Vogel was angling for the Chairmanship of the Government Insurance Association Board ; that rumor has since been denied, and it is now whispered that he is flying a higher game and that ho has his eye on the AgentGeneralship. This rumor is considered to be nearer the truth than any yet made. It will be remembered that Sir Dillon Bell's term of office expires in about ten months.

Several important notices of motion were given to-day by Mr Maca?jdrew— one suggesting a political confederation of the whole English speaking people, and the other a direct steam service with India.

The statement made to-day by Vogel with reference to the East and West Coast Bailway is strongly and unfavorably received by all except the Canterbury members- The proposal for an annual payment over and above working expenses ia considered highly ridiculous, for of course the management would see work ing expenses kept high. Some members, i however, think it possible that the pro* posals may be carried, and that even the Auckland members may be fonnd ready io support the proposals, provided the Canterbury members will support the proposed subsidy to the 'Frisco Mail Service, This may be a game of diamond cut diamond, but it must be remembered the Canterbury members were lobbying to-day against the 'Frisco mail subsidy. This day. The opposition to the employment of females and others Bill, which some days ago I told you was being whipped up for the Legislative Council, has, you will see, been sufficient to throw the bill out on its second reading.

The Whitmore Enabling Bill passed its second reading last night, but it is rumored that it will not appear any more this session. Although Government have put it down for committal on Friday next; it

is said tbat it will not bu reached on Friday in consequence of the very heavy business already set down for that day, and that the Government knew ibis when they set the Bill down for Friday. Further, it is said, that members voted for the second reading last night purely out of compliment to Sir Geo. Whitmore, and that if by any possible chance the Bill came to the surface again it would be killed.

There is now very hard lobbying going on against the East and West Coast railway proposals, though those members who are must firmly opposed to them express a fear that they will be carried iv some slightly modified form; it is, however, not though that any modification will fall with less weight upon the colony. I predict that this will be the opportunity for several prominent Government supporters to walk across the flcor of the House. It is now thought likely that the reso- ' lution re the San Francisco mail subsidy will be agreed to, though there are many who think that Mr Sutton's amendment will be very favorably, received. The Auckland members indignantly deny that there is any contract between them and tbe Government on the subject and they" say (hat they would rather lose the San Francisco service than vote for the East and West Coast Bail way proposals, if that was the alternative. Friday will be a busy day—first we have the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, with the inevitable discussion, the San Francisco Mail Service resolutions, and' then the resolution embodying the railway proposals, besides ordinary busi* ness. To day Mr Cadmsn is to ask the Minister for Public Works, if it is true tbat a private contract has been let in Auckland to repair the Police Station of Coromandel, and, if so, why have the local builders been overlooked in the matter P There is great commotion in the lobbies this morning over the East aud West Coast ltailway, and it is now said that last night's lobbying, with a few finishing touches this morning, has resulted in a majority of 15 or 20 against the proposals. My own opinion is that it is too soon to count majorities, but that the proposals are now sure to be thrust out, and that the East and West Coast Railway line is doomed , for the present. It is reported that a want-of-confidence motion is to be the next sensation, though, by whom it is to be moved I cannot say. In a former message I told you that some Government supporters would walk across the floor of the House on the pro« posals, and I have since been shown a copy of a letter addressed to the Premier by Mr Dargaville, in which the latter states his intention of going into the Op« position.