POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2473, 17 May 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Wellington, Tuesday. OPPOSITION CAUCUS.

A mkkting of Opposition members, presided over by Mr Lance, member for Christchurch, was hold this morning. There wore 2,") members present, and several others were accounted for in the usual way. Mr Walker, as whip for that section of the Opposition which acknowledged Sir Julius Vogel's leadership last session, handed in Sir Julius' resignation as leader. The resignation was accepted with regret and the expression of a hope for the hon. gentleman's future welfare. During the course of the meeting some allusion was made to a statement in the New Zealand Times this morning, to the effect that Mr Larnach, late Minister for Mines, had left a pair with the Government to be used on all ministerial questions. Mr Walker stated that Mr Larnach's pair was in his own (MrWalker's) hands, but he added that it was to be used with certain conditions. A discussion then took place as to the question of felocting a leader or the desirability of putting the management of the party into the hands of the committee for the session. A majority of members present seemed tobe in favour of the latter course, but ultimately it was decidcd to adjourn the meeting till Thursday, as several membors of the party had nut yet arrived in Wellington. CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEES. A deputation consisting of Messrs Lance, Walker and Seddon was appointed to wait on the Premier, and point out that the Opposition were unfairly represented on the Native Affairs and Public Petitions Committees. Sir Harry Atkinson received them courteously, and at once agreed to make certain alterations in the names of the committee. Amongst other changes, I understand Mr Hutchinson is to be put on the Native Affairs Committee, taking the place of a Government supporter. A -WELL-DESERVED TRIBUTE. Mr Edward Richardson, late Minister for Public Works, made a very neat little speech this afternoon, when congratulating Sir Harry Atkinson on the honour of knighthood recently bestowed on him by Her Majesty. It was evident also from the cheers that wero given by both sides of the House, that they considered the Premier had fairly earned the distinction. When the Premier rose to return thanks, he was very warmly cheered, oven by his most bitter political opponents, and thanking the House for its congratulations, he said although he had no desire to undervalue the honour which had been conferred on him by his Sovereign, he was still more gratified to find that he personally was esteemed by his fellow colonists. THE ELECTORAL BILL, This Bill proposes the adoption of a modification of the Hare system of proportional representation. The 71 electorates will be grouped if the Bill passes into law ; eacli electoral group to consist of not less than three nor more than eight electorates ; and it is expressly stipulated that the cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christclmrch and Dunedin are to be severally grouped with their environs. Electoral lights are to be issued triennially, so that the roll will purge itself periodically, and dual voting will be rendered impossible. Instead of public nominations each candidate will have to be nominated in writing by ten electors. TAXING THE TOTALISATOR. Nearly the whole afternoon was taken up with a discussion on Mr Boethain's motion for raising funds for charitable aid purposes, by taxing the totalisators and theatrical companies visiting the colony. The feeling of the House appeared strongly in favour of the proposal relating to totalisators, but many members object to theatrical coiripanys being interfered with on the ground, that such a tax would either prevent them from visiting the colony, or that it would oause very high charges to bo made for public amazements. The motion would havo been carried had not Mr Taylor risen just before half-past five and deliberately talked it out. The chances are it will not come up again the whole session. THE CHINESE QUESTION. I understand strong efforts will be made in committee on the Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Bill to increase the amount of the poll-tax to £25 or £00, but the Bill is expected to pass as brought down by the Government. THE BUDGET. Mr Taylor to-day tried his best to elicit some information as to the date when the Colonial Treasurer will deliver his Financial Statement. He asked the Premier whether thoro was any truth in the reports that are in circulation that the Financial Statement will be made on Thursday next and the Public Works Statement on the following Tuesday. Sir H. Atkinson asked the hon. gentleman to renew his question in a week's time. Mr Taylor then said he took that to mean that the Statement would be delivered about that time. The Premier replied amidst much laughter that he would not give any assurance of that kind. POLICE DISMISSALS. A sharp little debate ensued this afternoon over Mr Hutchinson's question relating to Civil Service dismissals. He charged the Government with getting rid of certain officers in the police department and appointing others in their places. The Premier said he was not going to be drawn into a debate on that occasion, but he denied that any police officers had been dismissed to make room for others. Mr Seddon then rushed into the breach by moving the adjournment of the House, and ho also attacked the Government warmly for dismissing such men as Inspectors Shearman and James Buckley from the service. MiTaylor also had a fling at Ministers for their unfeeling conduct, and said they had dismissed those officers for no other fault but because they were "physically and mentally unable to perform their duty," a remark which elicited roars of laughter from the House, but Air Taylor appeared quite unable to »ee that ho had himself given two unanswerable reasons why the dismissals should be made.