POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2501, 21 July 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(by telegraph—own correspondent. ) Wellington, Friday.

TIIE LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS. Contuaky to expectations, the debate on this question occupied the whole of today's sitting, and notwithstanding that the Premier plainly invited the House to it without party feelings, it was evident from the speeches of the Opposition, that they . treated it as a party question, pure and l simple. Several Government supporters voted against the Premier's motion. After the division was the Premier quietly rose, and said ho should refuse to take any responsibility for the Legislative Estimates, and would leave the matter entirely in the hands of the Speaker. THE STONEWALLERS. In speaking against the Hospital and Charitable Institution Bill last night after the doors were locked, Mr Joyce spoke against time for four hours, there were various conferences between those interested in the Bill and the Ministers present, and eventually it was agreed that 1 Ministers would make a statement, i promising that the whole question should ! be taken into consideration by the Cabinet, and a statement made not later than luesday with regard to bringing on the Amendment Bill next session if an adjournment of the debate till Thursday next would be agreed to. The Colonial Seceretary said he could not, without consulting his colleagues, state the precise proposals of the Government, but that would be considered by the Cabinet and to-morrow it po?sible or not later than Tuesday they would make a statement to the House. The opponents of the Bill, however, express their intention of preventing it from coming on again this. session, and the probabilities are that it will not be heard of again at present.

THE NATIVE POLICY. The committee on Nativo Bills met this morning. The Premier's clause providing that the Rating of Native Lands shall not commence before two years, by which tune applications to individualise titles may be made was carried, also Mr Carrol s sugges* tion that there should bo a separate court for the hearing of appeals, and that the committee should bo present at the preliminary proceedings of the land courts. DIRECT MAIL SERVICE. The Premier informed Mr Beethara to-day, that _ the Government did not consider it desirable to communicate with the companies contracting for the mail services until the House should determine what .sums should be spent upon ocean mails, lie had communicated with the Canadian Government with a view to ascertain whether that colony t would bo prepared to subsidise a' new Pacific lino.