WELLINGTON JOTTINGS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4194, 17 August 1892, Page 2

WELLINGTON JOTTINGS.

(By Oar Own Comspondent),

, Wellington, Monday, The now-celebrated Te Weraiti Road case, lately under the consideration of the Waste Lands Committee, is still undecided, A large quantity of evidence lias .been taken, but it is not likely that a decision will be arrived at for some time, as the Committee is now busily engaged in reviewing the Land Bill. Apparently, from what I can gather, the whole affair has resolved itself into what looks very much like a faction fight. No doubt an important principle is involved in Ihe statement that Dr. Hosking's property, having been cleared and grassed, comes under the Public Works Act definition of cultivated land, and, as auoh, the land required for the road can only be taken on compensation, Still, it would appear that there is something behind all this agitation, which will very probably come out when the Committee's report is made public. In the meantime, as the matter is tub judim, it would perhaps be ttiso to watcb, wait, and say nothing.

Last session it was most noticeable how the whole policy of the Government was guided by the Labour section of the House, This session a most curious change hascorne o'er the scene. Everything now appears to be run according to the dictation of the country members. In fact, the Government's sole' idea is to conciliate in every shape aud form what forms the great bulk of the House, namely, the country members. This is significant, when we know that it is quite on the cards a dissolution may eventuate before long, and even if it doesn't, it looks like a bid for popularity with a section who are, to a great extent, entirely opposed to the present occupants of the Ministerial benches,

A delightful squabble is browing for to-morrow with reference to tho motion placed on the Order Paper, the Minister tor Lands challenging the Speaker's ruling that certain words used by tho Hon T, Fergus could not be taken down if there was one dissentient voice (which there was), Rumour hath it that the Speaker songht an interview with the Minister, but was churlishly refused admittance, This latter proceeding, setting aside the boorishnesson the Minister's part, if it bo true, was extremely undignified, and would not tend to uphold the respect due to the Chair. There is no doubt that if the House is true to itself and to its ancient privileges, it will uphold the Speaker, but even if it does, thero will be a somewhat tempestuous speneon the Government benches, Tho denqfayint will be watched with much interest,

This evening, I learn that Mr Speaker Steward is very unwell; but it is hoped that he will be recovered sufficiently to take tho Chair to-mor-row, Jf the Speaker would only rely a little more on hjs own authority and judgment, instead of rushing into elaborate explanations and hunting up parliamentary procedure, matters would proceed much smoother. A prompt and ready Sneaker is a law unto the House, and his decisions must be accepted as iimtl, if unhesitatingly and firmly given, Major Steward is so anxious to do right, that ho very often does wrong. Still, after all said and dqne, the Speaker, weak or firm, has everybody's sympatpy in this particular instance, and there is not the shadow of a doubt that be was perfeptfully rjght,

The Eailway Commissioners have just issued a circular to their employes in referenoe to the late Bailway Conference and deputation to tho Minister for Public Works. The circular points out that not a single substantial cause for complaint \m been brought against the Commissioners by the employe's and advises them in future to appeal, through the proper channels, instead of through irresponsible and meddlesome outsiders, The report of the deputation to the Minister for Publio Works, with the Commissioners' reply to Mr Seddon, is also embodied in tho report, For an example of refreshing outspoken independence this report would be hard to beat. It comes like rain upon a parched soil in,'these days of truckling subsurvieney 'to democratic tyranny,' Eosmos.