POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2486, 16 June 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(Br mKGRAI'H—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, Friday. MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS. I am informed by a member of the Ministry that no immediate reduction in the number of Ministers is contemplated by the abolition of the Public Works Department. The intention of the Government is when that Department is abolished to transfer the Roads and Works Departments to that of the Minister for Lands, M r Mi tchelson then becoming Minister for Railways. It may be remembered that the Premier informed the House last year that when a reduction of the members took place, the Government would then consider the desirability of reducing the number of Ministers in the House of Representatives to five, but ae no reduction of members can take place till after the next geueral election, the prospect of any decreaso in the number of Ministers at present is a rather remote one.

TARIFF CONCESSIONS. It is stated that the Colonial Treasurer has agreed to make concessions to the manufacturers of several classes of goods. When the details of the tariff come on for discussion certain kinds of rough material for carriages, tinware, and upholsterers fittings are to be added to the free list, and a draw back is to be given to the makers of agricultural machinery on their imported fittings, while a concession is also to be allowed to the makers of soda crystals. COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OF OFFICE. Mr Hamlin gave notice of a question today why some retrenched persons not legally entitled to compensation, were awarded sums as large as £100, while others who had served the colony for 15 or 10 years received nothing at all. FACTIOUS OPPOSITION. Several of the Freetrade Party I understand have made up their minds now that the Housu has affirmed the tariff by such a large majority no: to offer any factious opposition to the details. They consider it advisable, when in committee, to divide tho House on tho purely protectionist items of the tariff, but not to oppose it as a whole, knowing that they are in a considerable minority. DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. The Premier was, this morning, waited upon by a deputation of the principal drapers'of Wellington, who advanced a number of suggestions in the direction of modifying and removing the anomalies which, in their opinion, exist in the Tariff. The deputation expresses its willingness that a committee should meet the Premier and discus-; the existing anomalies with the view of modifying them, and the suggestion was favourably received by Sir Harry Atkinson. In tlio course of the interview, however, the Premier gave the deputation to understand that the imposed duty of 25 per cent, upon certain articles of drapery mentioned in the Customs Bill would be maintained.