PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. [BY TELEGRAPH-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2183, 6 July 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. [BY TELEGRAPH-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

The Babbit Nuisance. Wellington, .Saturday. Thk Rabbit Committee have not yet brought down their report, but will do so in a few days. I hoar the committee will probably report thnt the present Act haw, on the whole, worked well when it has been Eroperly administered. They are also kely to recommend that there should be compulsory simultaneous poisoning during the winter, and twice during the summer ; that Government should import immediately and continuously, in large quantities, weaafcla, stoats, and pine martins; that there ahould be no bonus for skins ; that clean districts should be allowed to form themselves into trusts for the erection o fences or other means, with rating nowors, and that a large bonus should be offered to such trusts to disco\er di-eaae or any other means of destroy i up rabbits. I understand the tendency of the leport will also be in the direction of localihing powers under the Act.

Arms for the Colony. The Government have oidercd from H'une 9000 Martini-Enfield riHes, but only 500 of those can be forwarded to tho colony within the next nix month*, ko it is intended to distribute these among the best shots, and future instalments among the next best shots in the various corps of the colony.

! Poisonous Matches. Sir G. Grey yesterday introduced a Bill to provide for the better preservation of the lives of young children from poisoning by phosphorous matches. A similar Bill brought in by Sir George last year was alinont laughed out of the House. The present effort of the veteran knight is not likely to succeed any better.

The Public Works Proposals. Monday. The lobbies have been very dull to-day, \nd no political news of any kind is stirring. The next excitement will be the debate of the Public Woiks Statement, which will resolve itnelf into a general di>cusMon on the financial condition of the colony. Members ."till condemn the public works proposals unhesitatingly, and at one time it looked as. if a direct no-confidence motion would be brought down in consequence cf the vague and unsatisfactory nature of the Statement.

Sir J. Vogel and the Insurance Association. It is still persistently rumoured that Sir Julius Vogel is to bo appointed (toneral Manager to the Government Insurance at a handsome salary. The report has been denied by some inemlieraof the Government, but in such a manner as to leave an impression that the appointment mipht be made eventually according to circumstance.

The Representation Question, A long Citvnefc mooting w.is held this afteriiNnn .'it Sir Julius Voxel's residence, at which Minsters were expected to come to a final decision on the representation question. There is still gi eat difference of opinion in the Cabinet on the subject. The. Premier is K.ud to be the only Mim-ter who is anxious to have the bill brought down this session, but his colleagues are opposed to the preliminary bill being introduced this year. It is likely, however, that Sir Robert Stout will insist on keeping faith with the House and will bring down hi* bill merely for circulation, on the understanding that it will not be dealt with till next session.