POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2475, 22 May 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Wet/Lington, Monday. THE TARIFF.

Although no meeting of tho Free Trade party is to be held till the tariff proposals are brought down, there are signs already of a division of opinion amongst them, which of course will be to the advantage of the Government. The more thorough Free traders will oppose any increase whatever in the Customs duties whilst other recognise that a certain amount of revenue must of necessity bo raised and they would not object to a modicum of Protection, say an advance of from 5 to 15 per cent, in the present duties. The Freo Trade party is likely to split up to some extent, while the protectionists will be glad to get any increases in the tariff as an earnest of bettor things. The Opposition are becoming very impatient at the delay in bringing down the Financial Statement. THE HARE SYSTEM. The Electoral Bill is just now the main topic of discussion in the Lobbies, and there is the strongest opposition manifesred towards it. Members generally seem quite unable to grasp the measure, not so much the principle of it as its working out in detail, and they complain of the Bill being sprung on them too suddenly. The Opposition, almost to a man, are against it, as well as many of the supporters of the Government, and it is certain the Hare system of election, at any rate, will be struck out of the Bill. THE OPPOSITION LEADERSHIP. It is again reported that tho leadership of the Opposition is to be offered to Sir G. Grey for the session, but if it were wanted to wake up the Ministerial supporters tho prospect of Sir Georgo again assuming office would be quite sufficient to do so. Mr Lance's name is frequently mentioned in connection witli the position. NORTH ISLAND RAILWAY. The Minister for Public Works this morning received a deputation consisting of Sir G. Grey, Messrs Pcacock, Merchant, ITobbs, Withy, Moat and Thompson, M. H.li.'s, with reference to the state of tho surveys on the North Island Main Trunk Railway. Mr Mitchelson informed the deputation that five parties consisting of thirty men were employed on the work, and that a report was to hand as to the Mi Mi route from Mr Blackett, Junr., who announced having found a good route that way, requiring only two tunnels with a grade of lin 50. There was no report to hand from the Stratford end. Tho Government intend to do nothing beyond the existing contracts. ABOLITION -OF THE NATIVE OFFICE. It is reported here that amongst other important reforms about to be affected by the Government, the Native Office will shortly cease to exist as a separate department,'and will bo attached to one of the olhcr departments, probably that of the Colonial Secretary. VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

A deputation waited on the Minister of Lands this morning, consisting of the following members of the House Major Steward, Messrs Pearson, Percival, Turnbull, Buxton, Cowan, Walker, Duncan, O'Callaghan, Laurie, and Taylor, to urge on the Government the expediency of devoting either the wholo or part of tho unallotted sum of £70.000 under the new Loan Act to the purpose of acquiring in suitable centres in agricultural districts land for the settlement of agricultural labourers. It was pointed out that throughout nearly tho whole colony agricultural lauds had passed from the hands of the Crown, and that there was no good land in the midst of farming districts for labourers. The deputation suggested that if it were possible for these labourers to be placed on blocks of 5, 10 or 15 acres of good quality of land on easy terms, they would be able to raise nearly all the food required for their families, and the labour they would receive during the busy season would provide all other requirements. Major Steward explained that it was necessary to take compulsory powers with regard to obtaining land in-as-much as owing to the land boom which took place some years ago numbers of properties which have been heavily mortgaged were now coming into tho market and were being sold at very low figures. The Government might thus, at very low prices, secure land in suitable districts. A long interview ensued, in course of which, in reply to questions, the deputation stated that they only contemplated the acquisition of laud where the owner voluntarily offered it. Tho Minister for Lands said that disposed of a great deal of the difficulty in his mind, but tho question was a large one, which must be laid before the Cabinet. He would undertake to lay the matter before the Government, and lot Major Steward know before Wednesday to what extent the Government would be able to support the proposal.