POLITICAL NOTES.
(BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, Friday. OPPOSITION MEETING. The Opposition held an adjourned meeting this morning, when a discussion took place on Mr Withy's amendment, but no definite conclusion was come to. It was decided with regard to the Native Policy Bills, that the Government should be asked to consent to their reference to such a committee, as would be generally acceptable to the House instead of tho joint committee. The result was that the Native Minister moved for a committee this afternoon which was carried. Sir Geo. Grey and Colonel Fraser made objections to tho names of Mr Ormond and Mr Graham, on the ground they were connected with native lands. THE TARIFF BILL.
The House was not particularly full tins afternoon, when the Acting-Speaker read the message from the Legislative Council, announcing the passage of the Customs Duties Bill in the "Lords." Dr. Intchett led off with a cheer, and was joined by other Protectionists, but there was no great enthusiasm even amongst the most rabid men of the party. OUR MAIL SERVICES. In reply to a question, Mr Why to, the member for Waikato, elicited the information from the Premier that, as the law now stands, all our foreign letters couid be carried by ordinary steamers trading two and from New Zealand without subsidy for £2,000 per annum. No provision, however, having been made by law for books and newspapers, this amount would probably be increased to five or six thousand instead of £58,000 as at present by the subsidised mail services. JLhus an annual saving of over £52,000 could be effected, and tho time occupied in transmission of our mails to Europe would probably not be increased by more than six or seven clays. Mr Whyte informs me that although he personally does not advocate the abolition of the San Francisco Service, still if it is to be abolished by the southern vote on the score of economy, then let us economise completely, and thereby make a saving proportionate to the sacrifice. Mr Whyte- advocates the abolition ot Hansard, whereby a direct annual saving of about £10,000 can be elfected, and a much greater indirect saving to the country by shortening the sittings of the House. BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS. The members of both Mouses who are interested in this question met again this morning, presided over by the Hon. W. H. Reynolds. Some important information had been received from the London School Board and from the Education Departments of New South Wales and Victoria. _ The following resolution was agreed to, ''That, in tho interests of morality, the Education Act should be s.i amended as to permit of school committees allowing Scripture lessons to be given within school hours, with a time-table and conscience clause, the syllabus of Bible instruction to be similar to that in use 111 the Board Schools of England, the Irish National Schools, the schools of the London School Board and the public schools of New South Wales."
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18880714.2.11
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2498, 14 July 1888, Page 2
Word count
Tapeke kupu
497POLITICAL NOTES. Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2498, 14 July 1888, Page 2
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.