POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 350, 6 October 1898, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAPH-SPECIAL COBKESPONDENT) Wellington, Last Night. THE HUTCHISON CHARGE.

The Committee set up to enquire into tlie charges made by Mr Geo. Hutchison agaiust the Premier and the late Mr Nathan Seddou, of Kumaru, have had two meetings, but so far Mr Hutchison has refused to attend to substantiate his charges. A letter was received by the Committee this morning from Mr Hutchison, the effect of which was that he was still prepared to appear before any impartial tribunal to support the material allegation made by him in the House, but took exception to the constitution of the present Committee, which he churned was set up by a purely party vote. He particularly objected to the Minister of Lands having a prominent part in the enquiry into the matter, after the stand taken by that gentleman in the debate. It is understood that Mr Hutchison will be summonsed before the Committee as a witness, and it remains to be seen what attitude the member for Patca will take in that case. He distinctly told the House when the Committee was appointed that he should ignore it altogether, as he was fully convinced that it was deliberately packed with such strong partisans of the Government that it could not possibly bring in any other verdict than one for white-washing the Premier. TH K AGE NT-G EN KR ALS HI P. The Premier gave a diplomatic reply to Capt. Russell this afternoon -with regard to fillidg the Agent-Generalship when Mr Reeves' term of office is up. Capt. Russell reminded the House that as Mr Reeve 3 term would expire before Parliament was assembled next year, lie thought it only proper that the Premier should state the intention of the Government with respect to the Generalship. He wished to bear personal testimony to the extreme attention which Mr Reeves paid in London to visitors from the colony, and to the ability with which he performed his work as Agent-General. The Premier said he was obliged to the Leader of the Opposition for calling his attention to this matter, as it was one that was iikely to be overlooked - He found that Mr Reeves took office on the Pith March, and his appointment would expire on the 10th January next. He could assure the House that he (Mr Seddon) was not going to replace Mr Reeves as Ageut-General. The Government, however, had not considered the matter, but they would do so at an ear,ly date. He was glad to hear Mr Reeves was giving so much satisfaction, and it was only what the Government expected when they appointed him to the Agent-Generalship. THE LOAN P>ILL. Great discontent still prevails amongst the Government supporters over the allocation of votes in the Loan Bill. Mr Guinness considers that a half million loan is totally inadequate to meet the cost of the public works required to be constructed. He threatens to move an amendment in committee asking the Government to take back the Bill and increase the amount of the loan to a million at least. RAILWAY ACCIDENT. The Public Petitions' Committee reported to-day on the petition of David Knight, who prayed for compensation for injuries which were sustained in consequance of his being run over by a train on a level crossing near Hawera in February last. The report is that the petition, having been referred back to Committee for further consideration, they do not see any reason to alter their previous report, that the petitioner has no claim on the colony. OLD AGE PENSIONS. The financial clauses of the Bill have now been reached, and a protracted debate on them is a certainty, lasting till probably the end of the week. Some of the supporters of the Bill indeed think that the whole scheme may be wrecked before these clauses are tnrough committee, but it is still claimed tint there is a small majority in its favour. A whole host of new clauses are already proposed to be added to the Bill. Mr Geo. Hutchison, amongstothers.has given notice of a clause to provide that in case of the Bill passing it shall not come into operation until after a vote of the electors of the colony has been takeu upon it. The proposed clause sets out that a copy of the Bill shall he deposited for reference at every Post-office in the colony, and three months after a proclamation in the Gazette a poll shall be taken and the majority of votes recorded for or against the Bill shall decide its fate. A similar clause has been given notice of by Mr Massey ; he, however, would take the poll on the day of the next general election.