POLITICAL NOTES

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2484, 12 June 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES

(BY TEI.EUUAI'H—OWN COMUWI'OXUKN/l'.) '';. Wkm.ikuton, Monday. = PROTECTION i'OR THE MILLION, Since tho delivery of the Financial Stuteinent, tho Premier lias been, perfectly inundated with letters and telegrams suggesting improvements in the Tariff in every conceivable direction to suit tlio views of indi vidimus concerned. Soinecnrrospondonts wrote with great force the desirability of taxing one class of imports while others request that their particular industries should receive the fullest encouragement, even at the cost of many more deserving one*. WHAT THE TAIUFF WILL BE. During a conversation with one of the Kreetrado party as to the effects of the new duties, he informed me that, having made a comparison between the Victorian and Now Zealand Tariffs, he had come to the startling conclusion that the duties sought to be imposed by the present Tiiriff will average double those of Victoria, and he based liis estimate on the large number of articles in the Victorian Tariff that are admitted free of duty being far in excess of the free list in New Zealand. One is strongly inclined to doubt the correctness of such a statement, but when it is renionibored tliat the colony is practically " protected "to the extent of 17-.1 per cent, the additional duties imposed by the Customs Tariff Bill in many cases reaching as high as 25 per cent., it does not seem so far fetched as it at first appears. EDUCATIONAL FRANCHISE. The " Wicked Tories" who constitute the Legislative Council of New Zealand, appear to have very little regard indeed, for poor Major Steward's feeling, as they have ruthlessly thrown out for the fifth lime, his Bill for regulating the election of, school con> mittees, by abolishing tho cumulative vote. The member for Waimate is deeply concerned at the loss of hi* bantling, but he intends to trot it out again, next session, THE CODLIX MOTH PKSTS., i Considerable interest is being taken in this Bill by fruit-growers all over the colony, but its provisions seem to be somewhat misunderstood, as the Bill was altered, in committee so as to make the taxable age of fruit trees four years instead of two as originally proposed. About fourteen members of both Houses met this morning to discuss the objections which have been raised in Auckland and elsewhere to the passing of the Bill in its present form. Mr Hobbs, by whom the meeting was convened, strongly urged the adoption of the Bill and other members! expressed approbation of the provision of a penalty for the sale of infected fruit. As, however, the mail from Auckland was delayed in transit, it was decided on the motion of Mr Lawry, seconded by Mr T. Thompson, to adjourn the ineetiug, pending its arrival. The Legislative Council, in the meantime, will allow the Bill to stand over for a few days. PROTECTION. A caucus of the Opposition Protectionists is to be held as soon as the second reading of the Customs Tariff J Jill is carried in order to assume some definite action over the Tariff itself in committee, and endeavour if possible to secure a ; block vote for the various items, so as to defeat the efforts of tho Free-traders. STUKXIiTI-I OK THE SECHSSIOXTSTS. The Frcetrade party now estimate that their strength varies at from 30 to -17 members, including Captain Russell and three of the Maori members—Messrs Carroll, Pratt, and Sydney Taiwhanga.