POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2483, 9 June 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(BY TKI.KGBAI'H—OWN COKRKirON'IIUNT;) \V>:m.in'gton, : Friday.

Til K MIDLAN I > RAILWAY, Almost immediately after thu House .met this afternoon we were treated to yst another discussion of that never ending business, the Midland Railway, which lias occupied a . large portion of every session since 18SJ. Papers had beeil ; laid on the table lately containing'despatchos and cablegrams from the Agent-General with reference to the Company's fresh demands, and Mr McArthur this afternoon opened up the matter by culling attention to the new concessions demanded by the- Company, the chief portion of his contention being that as about £200.000 at least would be saved by the Company taking the line over a hill instead of through a tunnel the colony should participate in that saving by an approximate reduction of the land grant given to the Company. It was somewhat ominous to notice that nearly all the speakers who supported Mr McArthur wore like the member for Manawatu, seceders from the Government over the tariff, namely, Messrs Allen, Barron, Wilson, Bectham and Pulton. The Premier pointed out that-'the matter was a very simple one, and merely involved permission beim* granted to alter the proposed; deviation of the line but only after the Government are satisfied, and the advice of the experts that the colony would not suffer in any way by it. Mr Seddon had a fling at Mr McArthur and said it was a very curious proceeding for him and (■is friends to raise these objections at the present juncture when the country was expecting the Tariff proposals to bo settled one way or the other, to which Mr Mac Arthur replied'that he considered the matter of quite as much importance to the colony as the tariff question. It has been generally-rumoured- of late that the reason why so many concessions have been made by the midland railway company is that they are desirous of getting rid of their responsibility in the whole matter; and wish to throw up the contract, but as nearly £'150,000 has already been spent on a portion of the lino, there would appear to be no foundation for the report.

THE TARIFF DEBATE. The discussion on the Budget proposals still drags its slow length along, and the speeches this afternoon were decidedly dreary and uninteresting, being in this respect in marked contrast to those of the two previous nights, which, however, abounded in personalities in a most unusual degree. There is not the slightest chance of n division on the Tariff Bill to-night, as several lengthy speeches Inivo yet to be intlicted on the Mouse, before the debate closes. HOPE FOR THE FREETRADERS. The Freetrade party, although they have no hope whatever of defeating the Tariff Bill, still allege that their' numbers are increasing, the latest convert to the cause being Sydney Taiwhanga. They also state that the longer the debate lasted fhe better chance their party has of growing stronger. It is estimated that about 20 members will vote against the second reading of the Bill. The extreme section of the party allege that they are contending for a vital, principle, at'id they intend to remain firm to the principle tili they conquer. THE TOTALIS A.TOR QUESTION. A petition has been presented to the House on this fjuestion, by Mr .Joeye", signed by a large number of residents of Lyttelton, and praying for its abolition on the grounds of its demoralising influences on the masses. THE C MIXES K BILL. The effect of the amendments made in the Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Bill in the Legislative Council is that the term '.'.Chinese" dues not include natural born or naturalised subjects of Her Majesty, and the term "naturalised' means naturalised in the colony of New Zealand. The section relating to the number of Chinese per tonnage of the vessel is added to. so that it does not apply to Chinese passengers who shall prove to the Customs that they have left China or Hongkong for New Zealand before the tenth of June, 18SS ; further, the Bill is amended not to apply to tho officers or crows of any vessel or vessels of war of H.M. the Emperor of China, and the Act is not to remain in force beyond the end of the next session of tho Meneral Assembly. Mr Seddon's additional clauses referring to Chinese in the goldfields have all been struck out of the Bill, as it returned from the Council.