POLITICAL NOTES

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2504, 28 July 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES

(by tklkghaph—own coiibkspondbnt.) Wellington, Frida}'. PROESSIONAL INCOMES. Mr Tatlok lias given notice tins afternoon of his intention to ask the Premier whether lie will consider the desirability of taxing professional incomes. STONEWALLING TACTICS. The opponents of the Otaso Central Ra.ilway have fulfilled their threat of obstructing the Bill all through last night and up to (■no o'clock this afternoon. Tli3y have so far gained their object, as up to the present time not the slightest progress has been made with the measure. The discussion has uuw been kept up for seventeen hours with the usual intervals for meals, and the obstructionists still assert that they are prepared to go mi, if necessary, till midnight on Saturday. During the debate that followed, galleries were cleared, Sir George Grey and other members frequently called attention to the state of the Houso ami the necessary quorum being obtained. Tha member who happened to be in "possession of the floor" proceeded to speak till he was again interrupted hy some body discovering that the Chamber was nearly einptv. In the meantime Mr Pyke sat at the Committee table fuming loudly and laughing in a scornful manner at some of Sir George Grey's remarks, to which the latter would reply that the member for Dunstan -sat there with open mouth but he could not reply, and only howled at his opponents. Mr Goldie who spoke for several hours, entered into an elaborate calculation as to the producingcapabilitiesof land proposed to be given to tho syndicate. Mr Thompson also occupied a few hours in protesting against the measure. Sir Geo. Grey char" acterising his conduct as infamous, Mr Pyko at once rose to claim the chairman's protection against such remarks, and still the farcp went on, many members being sound asleep and snoring audibly. Smne of Sir George Grey's stinging insinuations of Mr Pyke being actuated by pecuniary motives, roused that irritable gentleman to pour forth a torrent of invectives against Sir Gcoree. The Committee rose for breakfast at 8 o'clock, and on resuming a motion by Hon. Mr Fergus that tho galleries be opened, was carried by 25 to 10. The discussion then went on till this afternoon, when an adjournment was made till halfpast seven by consent of both sides. PARLIAMENTARY AMENITIES. A smart passage of arms occurred this afternoon between the Colonial Secretary and tho member tor St. Albnns over the motion for adjourning tho debate on the Otago Central Bill till 7.30, which by its tone was evidently intended to draw one of the Ministers out. THE NATIVE TROUBLE, It is stated that the Native Minister has received a telegram of an assuring naturo with regard to the native disturbance at I'oroti, and that there is now every prospect of a settlement of the dispute without any necessity for his visiting tho district. SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE. j The continuance of this mail service is certain t™ meet with strong opposition from the House. It is said that overtures have been made to the Imperial Government with the view of obtaining a subsidy of some £18,000 per annum towards defraying the cost of conveying mails across America and the Atlantic, and it was considered that if this is refused the fate of the service will bo finally settled. Active whipping has already taken place tin the question, and it is believed that a majority is against the service. A REASONABLE COMPROMISE. A meeting of supporters and opponents of the Otago Central Railway was held after the House adjourned this afternoon, to consider whether some compromise could be effected on the Bill. After some discussion, it was proposed and carried that the railway should be made to Eweburn, ten miles beyond Taieri lake, but that there should be no syndicate, the Government to sot aside sufficient land for the purpose, and the lands to be disposed of under the land laws of the colony. Tho only dissentents to this resolution were Messrs Macurthur, Buchanan, Pyke and Anderson. It was also resolved to recommend that the railway be commenced by the Government without tho least possible delay. The supporters of the Bill allege that if Mr Pyke does not agree to the compromise, they will throw out the Bill altogether. Later. No further progress was made with the Otago Central Railway Bill to-night. The Premier has moved that the questions be adjournei till Monday to enable the Government to consider what course they will take with respect to the resolutions passed by the Joint Committee.