PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2162, 18 May 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[j»r THLKGBAPH.— OUB SPECIAL BBPOBTKB.] Sir George and the Government. Wklmnqton, Saturday, 14th. ' There is t> vague rumour afloat that Sir Gertrgt Grey* intends to challenge tb« Addressi-n-Reply by moving an amendment condemning the native administration of the Government. It isvery unlikely that Sir George will repeat the blunder he committed last session, when ho moved an amendment to tho Address without consulting even his most intimate friends. As a consequence, that amendment I'esulted in a finoco, art ie was lost without a division being called for by tho mover.

The Leadership of the Opposition; Another rumour which has been repeatedly heard during the la<t few days is that tho leadership of the Opposition is to be offered to Mr Bryce with the full concurrence of Major Atkincon. This is emphatically denied by the Atkinson party, who have no wish to depose their present leader unless especial circumstances should render it necessary that a change should be made.

Native Land Legislation. I hear the Government intend, if possible to force the Native Land Administration Bill through the House this session, and the bill is- to be brought down at an early stage with this object. A protracted tight is expected ovnr the niaa-iirc. The clauses referring to Native Committees will injot with strong opposition.

|dt telegraph.— special reporter. 1 The Sydenham Election. Wellington, Monday Night. Tho petition which lias been t presented against Mr Taylors election for Sydenham, will not prc\ ent hi* taking hi* se.it in tho Houso or seconding tho Addrcss-in-Roply. It is considered extremely probable though th-it tho petition will be successful as it is expressly stated in the Regulation of Elections Act, that tho poll must b3 closed at six p. m., and according to the returning officer's own statements some 40 votes were received After that time. Mr Taylor arrived from tin South to-day. Sir G. Grey.

The rumour that waa last wenk so pornistontly repented, that Sir G. they intended moving an amendment to tho Address inReply has been contradicted on Sir George* own authority. Whatever action he intends taking against the native policy of the Government will be reserved for a later utage of the session.

I The Premier. It is 'currently reported in the Lobbies that Mr Stout will rw>ert his proper portion in the Cubinet this mission, and is fully determined nut? to continue in the Premiership unless he is to be the real leader of the Housn instead of the nominal one, as was the case lust year.

Mr Bryco and the HouseA testimonial to Mr Bryce, congratulating him on his recent victory, is being exhibited in the Lobby for members' signature. Several members were desirous of proceeding to Wnng.umi for the purpose of attendinff tho b.incjnat to Mr Bryco on Wednesday, but refi.tinnd fro.n so doing on the ground that the matter- will shortly come before the House in some ntnte <>r other, when nn onpnrtunity will be afforded .them of exproMsing their opinions on it.

Sir J. Vagel's Health. Sir JulttM Vogel I* 1 tukinj? rnmnrknbly well, and Apihwrx to hava pfrantljr benefited hy hh lectrad visit to the Waiwcra. Hot Springs.

[VT TBLBQBAPH.-rOWN CORttKBPONnENT.] AvoKLAN'i), Monday. The Stnr'n .Wellington correspondent writes :— Thd Miim&r'of Public Workirsaya ho has instructed Mr Hales to c i-operate with the mayor in providing work for the unemployed. Ha wvyii if the estimates pass the contract ready for works in the Auckland District Will absorb throe' times the number out of work. Two of these contracts tire nections of the Northern Trunk and Rotorua Railway. Sir G. Grey will introduce a Lands Settlement Bill in the interest* of which he recently stumped the country. This provides for small farms an( i « 8 equally applicable to Crown {fronted lands, native Linda and Government Grown LaniK He doss not expect the House would do more than affirm the principle that large blocks of land should not continue to be hold by any one person or company. Since the removal of the rijcht of pre-emption it has transpired that EurojHsans have enriched themselves, and acquired largo blocks of native land- by marrying Maori women. One instance is on record where an enterprising individual had a block of 500,000 acres handed over to him by the Native Land Court. Sir George Grey intend* to introdnco a bill to prevent thi-*. Tho measure will" provide that in such case* the huiband cannot fret possession of the land, and that it be held for the heirs of the wife.