PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2172, 10 June 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTA RY NOTES. [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

i - •* ■ Crovernment Insurance. \yKLUJTQTONi Teusday. Thb Government have decided rin bringing in a bill dealing with the Government Innurance Association. The bill is to be framed on the principles referred to by Sir J. Vogel a few days ago, when replying to Mr Ormond'a question. It will provide that the Association's board shall consist of nix members, three of whom are to be nominated by *,hn Governor and three to be elected. The chairman is also to be appointed by the Governor, it being pointed out by Sir Julius that this is one point which Ministers would insist upon.

The New Loan. It is still rumoured that the new loan shall be reduced to one million. I hear that the Opposition are trying to dissuade Mr Bryce from taking this step, but as yet he has not given up his intention of moving the motion. Of course it would have no chance of being carried, for notwithstanding all the outcry about retrenchment, members will take particular care that the votes for their own districts are not curtailed.

Supporting Local Industry. I learn that since the initiation of the telephone service the demand for insulators has been very great. With a view to the encouragement of local industries the Government have decided to call for tender* for 100,000 insulators, with bolt« and fastenings, all to be manufactured in the colony.

Employment of Women in Minei. It may bo remembered that when the Mines Bill was under discussion in the Hoiise l«st week Mr Connolly drew attention to a very objectionable clause in the Bill which provided that women and children may be employed in the mines of the colony. The Bill bus just been before the Goldneldfl Committee and one of the objections made to the measure was this clause, which the committee promptly 1 struck out.

Medical Men as CoronersMr Scobie McKenzie gave notice to-day to rescind the revolution of last year precluding medical men from acting as coroner*.

Mart Danger Ahead. Wellington, Wednesday. There are fresh rumours floating about of another, surprise being about to be sprung on' the Government, but nothing definite has leaked out as to the shape it will assume. One report is that advantage will be taken of the discussion on tb/& Jjonn Bill to make another attack on the Ministry, but at present everything is dull and uninteresting.

A Short Session. The opinion is now very general th*t the session will be much shorter than usual, and Ministers are regulating the supply of Bills with the view of closing either at the end of July, or early in August.

Subsidies to Local Bodies. It appears from a return laid on the table to-day by the 'Premier that the following are the total amounts payable to local bodies in the several provincial districts, for rates under the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act from July, 1886, to May, 1888 -.—Auckland, £0915; Hawke's Bay, £2(540: Taranaki, £2001: Wellington, £5520 ; Nelson, £7732 ; Marlborough, £715 ; Westland, £7018; Canterbury, £1420; Otago, £2442; Southland, £2888. Total, £40,103.

The Treasurer's Want of Tact. Sir Julius Vogel displayed very poor generalship last night over the estimates iv hi» own department. To begin with, there was a very thin House after the dinner adjournment. No less than sixty membe:s having received invitations to dine at the Government House, it was openly stated that the Government were anxious for a " count out," and that their whips had been a«king members to absent themselves from the House. Thin was subsequently denied by one of the whips, and the business proceeded. The first defeat sustained by the Government was on the increase iv Mr Gavin's salary from £700 to £800. Sir Julius Vogel pleaded hard for the increase, alleging that this ' gentleman, who is Secretary to the Treasury, was thoroughly deserving of the extra salary. The committee, however, not only struck out the increase, but also an increase »f £50 for the Assistant Secretary. Several other items were opposed, but no reductions made, till the item of £10,000 for repairs and maintenance of the Hinemoa was reached. Mr Ormond then said that in order to test the feeling of tho committee on this rote, he would move that it be struck out, ai he considered the steamer was unnecessary and expensive. Three of the Ministers urged that the vote should be allowed to stand, but it was rejected by 17 to 14. Sir Julius then made up his mind to change to programme of business, as it was evident the Committee meant to go in tor all-round reductions. Much surprise was expressed that an experienced tactician like Sir Julius Vogel should in a thin House, and after all the recent outcry about retrenchment, proceed with the Estimates, when the first item showed an increase to an already high-salaried officer. As might have been expected, the Government intend to place the vote for the Hinemoa on the Supple* tnentary Estimates, and the Minister for Public Works is having statistics prepared showing that the steamer pays the cost of maintenance by the conveyance of railway material, by trips to the Chatham Islands, and other services.

Tawhiao and the Government. A reply to Tawhiao'« letter to the Govftuor id feeing tr»n#l»tcd, *nd Trill be

forwarded to Tawhiao by Henare Kiahau. The letter wan to the effect that Tawbito declined office or a seat in the Legislative Council, but with a view to putting an end to the isolation which nan .existed between the Government and the native* of the _ King country he was willing to place bitnuelf in the hands of the Government. The nature of the reply to this letter baa not transpired as yet.