POLITICAL NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1922, 30 October 1884, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Government Caucus.—The District Railways Resolution. Wellington, Tuesday. Ttn? Government caucus this morning was lar^oly attended, and Of a very animated character. The Premier informed the meeting of the intentions of the Government with respect to the bills they intended going on with, and he intimated that tboy hoped to bring the session to a close by tho 'end of next week. With reference to Sir J. Vogel's resolution on the District Railways question, the Government proposed to submit the resolution to the House, omitting the latter part, having reference to paying the actual cost of the railways, with tha view of making tho best terms they could afterwarda. Considerable discussion took place on this and. an amendtnont was proposed deferring the consideration of the whole question till next session, the- Government in the meantime to make enquiries, and to make proposals for the purchase of the railways next year. This amendment and several others were put and lost, and the original proposal as amended by Sir Julius Vogel was put and carried on a division by 22 against 16. The view taken by thoie who differed from the proposal was that if Parliament authorised Government to enter into arrangements for the purchase of thn railway* they would have no option but to confirm the proposals next session, but that if Goverdment on their own responsibility chose to t.*ke any action in the recess as t > making terms for th purpose of tho railways, that would be a matter for their own consideration. The proceeding! all through were of a somewhat noisy, although not ill-tempered description, ami there was great diversity of opinion. It h generally thought that the resolution will bo dropped altogether this session, in the face of Sir Julius' amended resolution boinsj carried at a meeting of his supporters only by a majority of 22 as agninst ll6, wh > opposed the proposition.

The District Railways Resolution. Wednesday. Sir J. Vogel's amended resolution as to the District Railways, which elicited such a lengthy discussion today, is considered ahnoit as objectionable as the original one, and will bo jiibt as vigorously opposed. It is generally considered that Ministers have no show of carrying it, oven in its amemJovl form. It is reported to-night that the motion is to be allowed to drift to a low place on the Order Paper, with the view of being shelved for the session.