POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2393, 10 November 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[UV TKLKbRAIMI. —OWN’ COKRKSPONDEXT.] The Midland Railway. Wellington*, Tuesday. The Government after mature consideration have decided to allow the Midland Railway proposals to be referred to a select committee and in doing so they have taken a step which many of their friends consider should have been done 4 tine time ago. There is no doubt that considerable dissatisfaction existed amongst the Government supporters over the Premier's resolution on the railway question, and the feeling is becoming pretty general that it was asking altogether too much of the party that they should swallow the resolution in such an off-hand manner without having time to consider the effect of the new concessions asked for by the company. In consequence of this the proposals to refer the whole question to a select committee is generally approved. There is no desire amongst the opponents of the scheme to see the question shelved. The Government as a whole are actuated by a strong desire to see the railway question disposed of for several reasons, one of which is that until this happens the Canterbury phalanx will remain so united, as to threaten the existence of any Ministry. I gather from conversation with members who are well acquainted with the whole question that the Midland Railway Company are so convinced that the line will bo a payable undertaking, that they would be prepared to go on with it even if the House rejected their proposals, but there was a decided majority in the House in favour of Major Atkinson’s resolution if they had gone to the vote.

No-confidence. There is a rumour to-night that the Opposition intend trying their strength against the Government during the debate on the financial proposals, but I have the authority «f a leading Opposition member for saying that nothing definite is arranged on the subject. It is quite on the cards that the financial debate may collapse somewhat suddenly, and that no action against the Government will be taken till after the deivery ot the humic Works Statement. A Short Session. Strong pressure is being brought to hear on Ministers to bring the session to a close as speedily as possible, owing to the late period of the year. The Government arc determined not to introduce any unnecessary legislation, and they anticipate being able to transact all the business really required in time to close the session in the first week in December. Railway Management I understand the Government have under consideration the details of a Bill to place the management of the railways under a Nonpolitical Board. The measure is to provide for the appointment of three experts in railway management, who will have powers similar to those exercised by the Victorian Railway Board, and will in addition bo empowered to regulate salaries, thus, entirely removing the working of railways from political control and influence. Triennial Parliamens Act.

Although the repeal of this Act is a “ consummation devoutly to belwished, by many members of the present and previous Parliaments, no one lias yet had sufficient coinage to move in this direction until this afternoon, when Mr Samuel, member for New Plymouth, gave notice of his intention to introduce a Bill for the repeal of the Act. The motion caused no little sensation amongst the members.