POLITICAL NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1925, 6 November 1884, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

Immigration and the Unemployed. Wklmno rox, Tuesday. An interesting discussion on the Immigration question cropped up in the House this afternoon. Mr Holmes wished to reduce the vote for Immigration attached to the New Zealand Loan Bill and he protested strongly against the House voting £30,000 for. this purpose when there weie .so many unemployed in the Luge towns of tlie colony. He was auppoited in his protect by several other members, among them Sir George Grey, who is now in open opposition to all the Ministiy's pioposals. Sir Julius Vogel waimly defended the vote and regretted that a l.ngei amount could not be voted for the purpose of introducing a further stream of immigration. He referred in glowing turns to the time not far distant when the colony would progress so considerably than an increased system of immigration would bo absolutely necessary to complete our railways and public works. He explained that £17,000 out of the £30,000 in the schedule, was aheady anticipated foi nominated nnmigiants leaving only £13,000 for piesent leqmrements.

Mr Montgomery. Mr Montgomery intends proceeding to England after the close of the session. He will probably be absent till the commencement jf next session.

The Members' Ball. The members' ball last night was an unqualified success in' e\cry lespect. There wete between oOOand (iOOpiesent, including His Excellency the Uo\ernor, Miss Jeivois, and suite. The spacious conidor was not nearly large enough to aftmrt dancing room for the guests, and the Legislative Council Chamber had to be bi ought into requisition as a reception room. The supper was spread in most admirable style by Mr Leatham. the manager at Bellamy's, and the arrangements generally weie well carried out. A Highland piper, who was specially im polled from Dunedin for the occasion, played seveial Scotch leels with great gusto, and evidently as if "to the manner born." Sir Julius Vogel was present in his chair during the eaily part of the proceedings. JNeaily the whole of the Press Gallery were piesent by invitation.

Despatch of Business. Wklmnuion, Wednesday. The House is »now rapidly disposing of the legitimate business, and the unusual despatch with which the Estimates weie pushed through last'night showed the evident desire of members to close up as speedily as possible. Considerable comment has been caused by the reduction of the Kalary of the exainmeis of standing oiders on piivate bills from £2.30 to fil.iO, while it is generally admitted that the office is little, moic than a sinecure. Still it appears to bo somewhat of a hardship th.it an officer uf the House of 10 years standing should be tieated so summarily, especially as Mr Brandon's sal.uy was about the o'llv one reduced last night, the other reductions consisting merely of striking off tho increases piopo-,ed this year as in the case of the officers of the Legislative Council. The Speaker warmly defended Mr Biandou as an oiKcer of such long standing, but Mr Shiiniski, who moved the reduction, was mexoiable, and pushed the m.ittei to a division, can ving the reduction by a small majority. Theie were in reductions made in the depaitmental estimates.

Reporting Debates. It nppeais from a return laid on tho table of tho House by the Printing and Uopoiting Debates Committee that since the reduction in the price of Hansard the circulation has increased fiom 100 D to 141)5 copies.

The Telegraph Operators. I hoar Sir Julius Vogel ha? lequcated Mr Gray, secretary for the Post Office and Telegraph Depnrtmenf, to submit the names of thoso telegraphists who, in his opinion, aro entitled to an incieiso with the view of something being done in thic direction.

Te Kooti. The projected visit of Te Kooti to the East Coast was brought before the House to-day by the member for Mount Ida. It appeared from Mr Ballanee's reply to the question that Te Koofci had been solicited by tno Wairoa natives to pay them a visit and that they had built a house for hi * locephon. The Government have warned him that, although as a subject of the Queen he ha 1* a chum for protection, still it would be dancreious for him to \Mt places wheio tho people were so incensed against him, and | havo strongly advised him to remain on his lands, instead of bie.tkmg the law by going about the countiy with aimed followem. To Kooti's reply was tli.it he had consulted the Waiioa natives with lefeience to the warning received from the Government, and if they replied he would communicate their answer to the Government. It is inferred, from the general tone of Te Kooti's letter, that he has decided to abandon his visit.