POLITICAL NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 11634, 5 November 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

♦ — — . [By Tbleokaph.J (special to the chronicle.) Wbhikgton, November 4 The importance of the colony being duly represented at the great Australian Bxhibitiou will be brought before the House at its next sitting by Mr Hutchi* son, who will ask the Government to take steps for the proper representation of New Zealand at the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition next year, It is well known that at the recent Adelaide exhibition considerable surprise was manifested at the wretched show made by this colony, and it in possible that a small grant in aid will be made to prevent the recurrence of a similar state of things at Melbourne. The gold mining industry is evidently a strong point with the Auckland members, despite recent failures; Mr Peacock moved to-day a series of motions re bonus to the inventor of some SUO--ceßsful method of treating quartz. Our modern Cassandra, Mr Moss, , wishes to penetrate the secrets of the Agenfc- General's department and the negotiations qf the loan agents. He will move on Tuesday for details of terms on which the oolony's loans have been effected during the last ten years, commissions paid, particulars of tend* ers, &o. Some members are laudately in earnest as to the desirability of preventing unduly long hours of labour. Mr Moss wishes to know whether the girls at the Onehunga Woollen Factory have to work 55 hours per week, as stated by an Auckland paper. The utter vagueness of the Government statement as to the reduction in the Defence department, has caused a feeling of uneasiness amongst members representing country districtsMr beeves will ask at next sitting whether there is any truth in the statement ciioulated as to abolition in future of all capitation gsants to country Vol. unteer oorps. Mr Joyce's question re sending a Minister to Australia to arrange a reoiprooal tariff, was accompanied by some noticeable remarks, as to the great injustice done to this colony by duties on cheeße, butter, bacon, and Tasmanian duty on coal. It is undoubtedly very desirable that more advantageous arrangements should be entered into.— The Premier thought the time was not yet ripe for such a mission, but he recognised the necessity for ohanging the present unequal terms in whiob trade is carried on. A meeting of members to consider the claims of the Boman Catholics to participate in the education vote of the State, was held m the Parliamentary buildings this morning. It was decided th' t a separate bill should be brought in expressly providing',that State aid should be given to all Catholic schools with an j average attendance of 60 pupils, the capitation to be twe-thirds of the amount paid to State sohoola. The bill is to contain a preamble setting forth the reason why Catholics should be dealt with on a different basis to Protestant denominations. There were about 15 members present at the meeting, and several others sent apologies for absence. Mr Pyke presided, and gave notice of the bill this afternoon. With respect to Colonel Noakes 1 pamn phlet, and in answer to the AttorneyGeneral yesterday, to the effect that he had not read the same, the Post says it is not correct therefore to say that the only thing the Government know of the pamphlet is by newspaper reports. The quibble we suppose is, that the commander of the forces has not brought the matter officially before the Minister of Defence. It is delioaoy which has probably prevented his doing so, as the pamphlet is mainly directed against himself. It will be understood and appreciated, but should not be traded on by the Minister of Defence to 'shirk his own responsibility. The fact is that the amount of fulsome laudation of Major Atkinson in which Lieut.Ooionei Nbake — with questionable taste, but no doubt wise provision— indulged, has had the effect of rendering the Ministry wilfully, and , obstinately blind to the V>r bao\i W hion " CSb ' \J6BS ~o ommitofced a£ the Volunteer Begulations, and to the commission of an offenco subversive of all discipline in the Volunteer force of the colony. Mr Pyke busies himself about defence matters. The powder question disposed of, he now wants to know whether the Government know the whereabouts of the torpedo lost some weeks ago in the Wellington harbour. Ifc appears that its value, through uncharged, is over £1 'Q. Several vessels are said to have passed it near the Heads; but were frightened to take it on boardj believing it to be loaded. Mr Taiwhanga has made a change of front, and to the astonishment of the House, whan speaking on Sir John Hall's question, he used the Maori instead of the English language. He explained that his colleagues objected to his speaking* in Englieh, as they ana Maori members in the gallery could not understand him, Much as he preferred to speak in English, he must concede to the wishes of his race. The money voted for Maori education was quite thrown away, as he iTaiwhanga) was the only Maori who could speak really i good English. This brought down the House, the laughter being long and hearty, but Sydney gave members a severe reproof for their frivolity, and seemed very annoyed. The real reason for the change, however, ia stated to be the late motion in favour of doing away with one interpreter. The ordinary dullness of the after* noon sittings was dispelled to-day by a very animated debate on the question asked by Sir John Hall, whether it is true, as stated in the public press, that it is not found practicable to provide for the hearing of the petition against the honorable member for Waitotara before the latter end of December, The Premier replied that the matter was out of the cognizi^noe of the House. For the present it is undesirable in any way to interfere with Supreme Court matter, but nevertheless it was of the utmost importance that such a petition should be dealt with as speedily aa possible, whereupon Mr Seddon got up and roared like the proverbial bull of Bashan for nearly 30 minutes, making moat k?oss personal attacks upon Sir John Hall, who, he said, was in Major A.tkinson'B confidence. Two of the present Ministers were merely warming pans for air John EfeU «nd Mr Bryoo, that is, \( Government QO uld get the ,aster back into the House again. He : accused Sir John Hall of a breach of privilege in asking such a question, j md_ denounced it as tampering v?ibh usiioe and the coercion of jju^dgea. He J ur ther charged Government with haying * nvesfcigated a.n inquiry at Marton into } ihe actions of certain railway employes 1] >« tfae Waitotara polling day. He denanded that the fullest details of tlje aid inquiry should be made public. * Messrs Fish, Tumbuli, W. O. Smith, md Sir Julias. Voge] also had each a hort» $nmng3 of denunciation of the opposed delinquencies of the Governaent, Mr Fish stating that the euquiry S istifcuted by the Public Works Depart- ** lent was a reflection upon Mr Hutchi- „ m. The Hon Mr Mitchelson mad« a Q \ mrteous ropiy, stating that wh.iL:: It as open to any member of the Hotuge, B i demand the fuUast iuve.B%atiiiao, it eg

was for the Government to decide^ whether it was in the beßt interests of the department that the details should? be made public. Mr Seddon, who is & veritable plugless wordspout when lie starts, gave the House a second doße, openly acousing Ministers of having forwarded the information obtained at the Marton enquiry to Mr Bryce's Bolicitors. After a few remarks from Sir J. Hall deprecating the party spirit imported into the debate, and denying ' • any wish in any way to interfere with the petition, the matter dropped after a ; • contest of an hour and a half. . . • -