LATEST POLITICAL NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2205, 26 August 1886, Page 2

LATEST POLITICAL NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday.

Mini&TKKS do n«>t .uittcijuto much difficulty in getting the Representation Bill passed next session. The Pirmier and Mr BalUttce are quit** in accord in their opinion that the population b.»«i^ must bo strictly maintained. Sir Julius Vogel thinks there will bo a novel e fight between town and country niombers, but ho appears to be satisfied that tho bill will pass. The Trortsurer further says he approves of the Premier's Bill, and gives as hi* only reason £i»r voting against it that the Intones* of tho session would militate against mature consideration of tho nip-isure. All the Ministers .ue still in Wellington with tho exception of the Premier, wh-> is atwonfc in Duuedm on private business. Mr Ballanco ivill probably leave for Parihaka noKl week, to confer with the natives on tho question of reserve rents, and tho Minister for Public Works will vi«it the South Island about December. Mr Larnach remains hero till the prospecting partiPH proceed to Big Bay next month. I understand th.it a new regulation will shortly be gazetted, which will provide that in future no ono shall be admitted into the pcrmatient militia until ho has been three years an effective volunteer, and member* will be selected equally from all part* of colony ; also that no one shall be admitted into the Civil Police who has not had one year's training in the permanent militia force. By this syistotn it is hoped that appointments to the forces by patronage will be completely abolished. With the exception of drafting the police from the ranks of the permanent militia, the two branches of police and defence will be entirely demilitarised. An impression prevails hero that Major dudgeon will be appointed h«ad of the police force. Sir deorge Whitemore continuing to act as commander of the defence force. It may interest your readers to learn that several six and eightinch guns and Nordenfeldts for the defences of the colony are now being manufactured in England. They are expected t-) reach New Zealand in January next, and will be irounted at the four principal ports about March, by which time it i« anticipated the defences of the colony will be complete. I hoar the. Minister of Lands is considering the desirability of dUtnbuting a bill during the reccis providing for the resumption of private lands by the Crown. The bill will aim at the settlement of these lands and limitation of holdings. Capt. Whitney, the Auckland cartridge manufacturer, is at present in Wellington. 1 hear the carti idges recently turned out have been highly approved of by the Defence Department.