POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2391, 5 November 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[nv Ti:i,Kliß.-U'll. OWN CORkESPOXUEXT.] The Estimates. Wku.ixctos, Thursday. Tub estimates brought down hy the Colonial Treasurer are practically the same as those submitted by tbe late Covernir-ent and no alterations are yet named in detail. General Manager of Railways. Air Joyce, gave notice, to ask whether it is the. Government's intention, in pursuance of their policy of retrenchment, to dispense with the services of Mr Maxwell, now absent, on leave, ami to wh un in a great measure is due the unpopularity and inefficiency of our railway system. The Rabbit Pest.

Major Jackson lias interviewed Ministers with respect to the rabbit pest. The Government expressed their determination to eradicate the evil, if possible. The natives in several districts have applied for powder to destroy the rabbits, and it is probable quantities will be supplied, the Government to rececive the skins of the rabbits they destroy.

Parties Hardening- Up,

Prom what I can gather since the delivery of the Financial .Statement, the Government party has hardened considerably, and the doubtful members express the opinion that there is little chance of Ministers being turned out this session. Sir Julius Vogel, of course, will pick holes in the Budget. Moderate Oppositionists seem to recognise that Ministers have done the best that could be expected of them under the circumstances. The idea of moving a no-confidence motion this session has been abandoned. The Opposition intend making an effort to induce Ministers to submit the details of the proposed savings, and will refuse to accept the estimates wholesale. According to the latest estimates, the whole strength of the opponents to the Government at present is from 37 to FO. Public Petitions Committees.

The election of chairmen for these committees took place on Thursday moniing. Owing to the large number of petitions whieli were presented every session, the Government thought it advisable to divide the old committee into two section-', sons to lessen the work and to save expense. Mr T. Thompson, member for Auckland North, was elected chairman of one section of the committee, and Mr .Seymour, who was Mr Hamlin's predecessor as chairman of committees of the House, was chosen for Hie second committee. Mr Bruce was asked to accept one of the offices, but declined to do so. Friday. Waste of Time.

A considerable portion of this afternoon's sitting was wasted, owing to the action taken by several Opposition members over Sir John Hall’s question with respect to the delay in hearing the Waitotova election petition. The member for. Selwyn asked whether it was true, as reported in Hie Press, that Mr Bryce’s election petition could not be decided before Christmas. Sir John made no comment whatever in putting his question. The Premier replied that the Government had no control over the matter, and he thought, however, that petitions of this kind should be decided as soon as possible. Several Opposition members, principally Mr Seddon, discussed the matter in a factions spirit, imputing unworthy motives to Sir John Hall. The matter was not concluded till nearly five o’clock. The whole thing was not worth half the time, wasted over it. The Borrowing- Limit.

A section of the Government supporters are anxious that the borrowing limit should be ex tended to five years, on the ground that if such a pledge were given it would effectually check any chance of Sir Julios Vogel getting back to office at any rate for several years to come. Major Atkinson is not averse to this limit, hot it is unlikely the House as a whole would agree to it.

[by telegraph.—own corkespoxdext.J Auckland, Friday.

The Star’s Parliamentary reporter wires “ There is after all to be no hostile motion on the Fnancial Statement, the Opposition having apparently recognised that it would be futile to attack the Budget proposals. A prominent member of the party assiirred inn that the programme of the Opposition would be masterly inactivity, and that they would wait for “ something to turn up.”