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

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2054, 5 September 1885, Page 2

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

Ministerial Tactics. Wkli imiiov, Thuisday. Nrum the whole afternoon has been occupied by thi stonewalling on the put of the Government supporteis of the AuckHarbour Boaid Bill. Theioason for adopting this course was th it the Government veiy intent itmiisly put M ijor Atkinson's resolutions well up on older paper immediately after tho local bills, vvlnch later generally go through with scarcely any dis cu«sion. This afternoon, nowever, when the Auckland H.uhour Bill was read, Missis Ken, Holmes, and Tuinbull, throe pronounced Government suppoiters m ide. seveial speeches on tho bill, and moved various amendments, evidently with the in tention of talking it out to pi event there solutions being leiclnd. Mijor Atkinson not to be behind hand *aid Ministers were evidently afraid to let the resolutions come on and had adopted the extraordinary courso of stonewalling a bill brought in by ono of themselves (Mi Tnle), merely to pie vent him (Major Atkiw-nn) lrovmg theiesolutions. He said he only wished he had the power to move that the resolutions be discharged fiom the paper, as he would certainly do so. The result of it all was that Mr Tolo's bill was talked out by the dinner adjournment, when only about half the clauses were passed.

Rumoured Resignation of Two Ministers. Tt is currently rumoured that two of the Ministers will retire at the end of the session. It is no secret that the Colonial Secietary will most likely leave tho Govern ment immediately after the House pro rogues, and thcie is groat speculation as to who the other retiring Minister will be. Rumour points to Sir J. Vogel, but I imagine the Premier is much more likely to be the man. I have informed your readers more than once that I have positive information that Mr Stout has been on the point of resignation several tunes this session, and would no doubt have done so if he c >uld have retired without bi cakmg up the Mmistiy. There is no doubt he has been by far the hardest woiked Minister in the team, as in addition to his other duties, nearly the whole of tho woik of conducting the- <io\< mini-nt bills thr.mK'i the committee this session has devolved upon him. In this respect, and indeed in many other inspects, as f ir as the business of the House is concerned, Mi Stout receives very little real assistance from his colleagues.

Charitable AidTho Hospitals and Charitable Aid Bill is likely to b>> further altered by the Legislative Council befoie it emerges from this body. Sir Fiedenck Whitaker Ins given notice that he will move the following amendment to tho hill:— "That in p>tab lishing a sjstem of Chiuitable Aid, cle.uly defined distinctions should bo diown be tvveen involuntary and voluntaty piuperisin, and with that object provision should be made (1) for lelieving the aged, helpless and ibstiessod chiefly in kind ; (2) no relief should be given to those able to work, but inciS3of necssity woik should be found them at a l ate of wage.* not exceed m<; one half the ordinary wages of tho distuct ; (3) one half of the funds necessity after deducting voluntary sul s riptions shouldjbe piovided by a rate, and the other half foi the present by a oontitbution fiom th" consohd ited fund ; ( i) the fund should be administered by the local boards, who should also levy the i ites.

The Railway Job. Wi m.im.iov, Fuday. Aiepoit has gained cm rency dm mg today, that the difficulty inspecting the H.ist and West Co.ist Railway is to be got over by a piopos.il to be brought dow n by Ministeis foi sepai ate votes of £*>0,000 each on the Supplemental y Estimates foi thce\ten sion of the lines from Spnngfield, and fiom Brunuciton and Foxlull (Nelson). It is luinoured that the Government will take the decision of the House on the entire vote of £r>o,ooo, foi the i ail way, without making it a Ministerial question. Mmisteis aie said to be divided on this point, and Sir J. Vogel and Mi Stout aie believed to bo in favour of making it strictly a paity vote.

The Estimates, &c. Tho consideration of the Public Works Estimates is fixed for Monday night, provided the debate on the Fedoial Risolutions will allow of their being brought on. The present intention is to set apart Tuesday m^ht f»r the LocU 13 idles Poweis and Finance Bill, but the discussion of this itnpoitant policy bill, will no doubt depend on the progress made with the Public Woiks Estimate I*.1 *. Many membeis consider tho latter will occupy a week in discussion, as most of the items will bo w ai inly contested, and tho House divided on them.

Sir J. Vogel's ClaimMajor Atkinson was examined before the Public Petitions Committee, this morning on Sir J. Vogol's petition. It is understood that the evidence was ag mist Sir J. Vogel's claims. He is to be cioss-examined by the Colonial Treasuieron Monday.

An Error in the Public Works Statement. Reference was nude in the House yestcr day by tho Minister for Public Works to n telegram which hid appealed stating that Mi Vaile of Auckland had discoveicd an en or in the Public Woiks Statement. Mi Rich.udson admitted the eiror. Tho earnings foi the yeai ended olst Match, 1881, he h.id stited to be £3 M per cent, for tho yeir ended lUst Mai eh last, against, and ki 2s lid pei cent, foi the prey ions year, wheieas it ought to have been £2 l">s Id for Ui it year, so that the impiovemont was only fis 2d instead of 10-. Id as stated by him. Tho error aiose fiom the total cost of railways being the bisis in one case, and the cost of linos open for tiaffic only being taken in the othcis. Lukr.

The Railway and the Government. I have just ascertained on Ministerial authonty tint the Government hue no intention of making tho Eist and West Coast Railway a pai ty question.

Mr Steward's Bill. Tho conference has been appointed to consider the school ;ige in tho hchool Com mittees Klecion Bill, tho last cmfeiotice buing unablo to agree on this point. The managers from thelowei House aie, Messrs Steward, McMillan and Pearson.