POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 463, 20 July 1899, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent]. Wellington, Last Night. HATUMA E3TATE. The Leader of the Opposition enlightened the members of the House whilst speaking on the Lands for Settleinsat Act Amendment Bill, as to the reasons for the purchase of the Hatuma Estate (Qawke's Hay). Captain Russell warmly declared that the Government had a grudge against the owner of that property, and for political reasons, thev had taken the whole of the i state. The trustees offered the Government sufficient for settlement, but the Ministers refused their offer, and insisted, on taking the whole lot. They refused to allow them to retain a single acre. The owner was driven off the land without being allowed to retain a single acre. This was a case in which the Government interfered themselves over and above the Boird. He had the very best authority for his statements, and he challenged the Premier to deny them. A LUERAL FATRIOT. Mr Meredith, the member for Ashley, poses as a sound Liberal, and also professes to have a burning desire for settling the people on the land. His pretensions in this respect, however, were rudely shaken in the House the other night by Mr Frasor, the member for Wakatipu, who belongs to the wicked Opposition party. Mr Fraser is also a member of the Assets Realisation Board, and he told the House that Mr Meredith had himself applied to the Board for one of its properties the (Gleotuhi Estate), and had offered two pounds six shillings an acre for it, the offer was refused by the Board, and the property afterwards sold for six pounds an acre. Mr Meredith, in personal explanation, said he-had offered the land tax valuation for the property with five per cent added, and as he did not know at the time he made the offer what the valuation was, he thought it a fair basis to go on. That he naturally has a griev nee against the Assets Board in consequence was proved a few nights ago by the fervent manner in which Mr Mereaith ejaculated "Hear hoar," to the suggestion from some member to abolish tho Board altogether. "A disgusted Ashley Elector" writes to the Christchureh and in order that the electors of Ashley may fairly understand the profit which might have been made on the Glcntuhi Estate on its proposed purchase by Mr Meredith, he quotes figures to show that if Mr Meredith's offer had been accepted and if he had offered the property for sale the profit on it would have bren £4331 6s. The correspondent concludes with the following significant remark : *• You could, air, get many high-souled patriots at that price." THE WELLINGTON ELECTION. Mr John Hutcheson's committee are working quietly, but energetically, and they are confident of sending him back to the House again by a large majority over Mr Jellicoe. With respect to the latter gentleman's candidature, a writer in the Post, under the signature of " Newtown," says : " Under date 14-th. At Mr Jellicoe'a meeting to-night he told his hearers in cold blood that out of every £5 paid by the consumer for -kerosene £4 10s went to the Government for duty, and further that this iniquitous tax was not the work of the Government whose gospel lis preached, but of the wicked Atkinson Government,. I don't attend political meetings often, so wish to know if this bunkum is a fair sample of the gospel "according to Seddon altered by his newest " graphophone." Among other of this new satellite's misleading statements, I particularly take exception to the one that " People in N'-wtown are compelled to live in places little better than hovels." While my back is up I' would like to mention that the intended dramat'c effect of Mr 3 Chemis' speech quite failed, and that the candidate ought to be ashamed ol himself for dragging the lady and her misfortunes again before the public for political effect. HONE HEME'S ABSENCE. Strong opposition was shown this afterronn to Mr Massey's motion asking for a week's leave of abseuce for Mr Hone Hcke, in consequence of his being engaged on important public business. He said it was usual to give reasons for proposing a motion of this kind, but as some comments had been made on the absence of the member for the Northern Maori District, he thought it as well that the House should know why he had moved in the matter. Mr Masscy then read a telegram he had received from Mr Hone Heke to the effect that he had been detained in the North, not by private matters, but by public business. The telegram explained that his absence was caused by his having to settle a survey dispute and also through the necessity of suppressing a spirit medium who was doing a great deal of harm amongst the natives in his district. The Premier seconded the motion.and said he felt satisfied that Mr Hone Heke's absence could be explained satisfactorily. Mr Houston (Bay of Islands) strongly opposed the motion, and charged Mr Hone Heke with attending secret meetings of the natives, which, if they were allowed to continue, would lead to serious trouble. Th* settlers iu his (Mr Houston's) district were becoming greatly alarmed over those meetings, as they were afraid they would lead to another disturbance. Mr Pirani expressed surprise at Mr Houston's remarks. He said Mr Houston was not justified in making such serious reflections on another member as to accuse him of fostering disaffection amongst the natives without giving the slightest proof of it. Mr Taylor made a rather violent speech against the proposal, and said the reasons that kept Mr Hone Heke away from his Parliamentaiy duties were quite notorious. (Cries of " what are they.") Mr R. Thompson (Marsden) joined in the discussion and said there were very ugly rumours in the north of Auckland to the effect that it would be much better if Mr Hone Heke stayed away from that district altogether. There Were also reports which might or might not be true that the Premier was responsible in some mysterious way for Mr Hone Heke's absence Mr Mills, the chief Government Whip, said the absurdity of that would be apparent when, he told the House that in the earlier part of the session Mr Hone Hcke was paired against the Government. The Premier also repudiated any responsibility for his absence, and said that in the survey dispute referred to Mr Hone Heko's action was certainly to be commended. Mr Seddon further stated that Mr Hone Heke had sent him a telegram to the effect that he intended leaving for Wellington last week, but had missed the steamer. Mr Guinness moved to amend the motion by substituting " urgent private business " for important public busiues." Mr Moore (Kaipaoi) pointed out that another member (Mr Ward), had been absent since the commencement of the session on his own private business, and leave had not been refused, nor did he (Mr Moore) desire that it should he, but surely if leave of absence was given to one member, who had not yet taken his seat this session, it ought to be granted in Mr Hone Heke's case. After nearly two hours' discussion, Mr Guinness' amendment was lost on the voices, and Mr Massey's motion carred by 44 to 10. EMPLOYMENT OE YOUNG PEOPLE. A Bill has been introduced by the Premier, entitled " The Employment of Boys or Girls Without Payment Prevention Bill," which provides that every boy or girl under 18 years of age employed in a factory or workroom shall be paid at least 2s Gd per week, irrespective of overtime.