POLITICAL NOTES

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2509, 9 August 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES

(by telegraph—prkhs association.) Wellington, Wednesday. A LENGTHY SITTING. Tub Government after all succeeded last night in pushing through the remainder of the estimates although they had to overcome a determined stonewall that was set up early in the evening by Mr Reeves, of Inangahna, Mr Walter, and one or two other members. A discussion lasting for some hours took place over the vote for Working Railways, and Mr Maxwell, the General Manager, received a severe castigation at the hands of Mr John McKenzie, Mr Duncan and other members, Mr Maxwell himself being seated behind tho chair, calmly listening to the complimentary remarks made all round concerning his railway management. A determined attempt was made by Mr McKenzie to re duce the General Manager's salary from £1,000 to £750 bnt it was lost on a division. Mr Kerr, however, moved to reduce thi; total vote of £(iOO,OOO by £10,000 which was accepted by the Government as an indication that further retrenchment was desired. The consideration of the last vote on the estimates was not concluded till nearly six o'clock this morning, when the House ad jonrned till this evening at 7.30. - THE REPRESENTATION QUOTA. Mr McArthur is determined that some steps should be taken this tession, if possible, to adjust the quota representation for country districts, and although his claim was so cleverly jumped last night by Mr Taylor, he has put a question on the Order Paper on the same subject, when the adjournment of the House is certain to be moved in order to debate the question. I hear that if Mr McArthur's motion had gone to n vote last night, it would have been a very close thing, as all the country members, including such strong Government supporters, as Mr Hobbs and Mr R. Thompson are bound to support it. The Government are being urged by several of their party not to make it a ministerial question as they consider it is one, which might fairly be left to the discretion of the House to decide whether the conntiy districts shall not have a fairer basis of representation, than that proposed by last year's Bill, they also contend that if the matter is not definitely settled this session, the opportunity will be lost for moving in it. THE NATIVE BILLS. It is understood that the principle established in the Native Bills is pretty generally approved of by tho native members, with the exception of Sydney Tahyhaiig.i, who is working up a strong and to my mind is likely to indulge in some stonewalling when tUe Bills are in committee. The irrepressible Sydney had also applied to thn Speaker for permission for some of the Wairarapa natives to appear at the bar of the House to give their views on the Native Bill, apparently quite oblivious of the fact that tho Speaker could not grant such a request without a rote of tho House. Tho other native members will move a variety of amendments in amimittuc, but it is expected now that the Bills will get through without much difficulty PROPOSED RAILWAY BOARD. The siigjestion that thn Railway Commission sh'.mld consist of the. late Minister for Public Works (Mr E. Uishardson), the present Minister, :uid Mr Hannay does not find much favour with the Government, who nro still cuiienvnuring to procure a Gh ef Commissioner from the old country, or from America, but nothing is likely to 1,0 in the matter till the recess. OFFICIAL INTERFERENCE AT ELECTIONS. During the discussion on the vote for working railways at an early hour this morning Mr Fish brought before the notice of tho Committee the case of a stationmaster at Mosgiel who he alleged during the last election did his utmost by personal interference to endeavour to influence tho railway employees in the Waihemo district against Mr J. McKenzie who was standing for. that district, and thought that no man who so acted was fit tube"an officer in the public service. The Minister for Public Works said he had not been made aware of the circumstances of this story until then. The Premier said it was the first he had heard of it, or he would have taken immediate action. Such con duet was mmistrou* on the part of a public servant. Mi J. McKenssio said he had not reported the matter to the Minister for Public Works, as he did not believe this man was the real culprit, but was merely the tool in carrying out a deep-laid scheme on the part of the Railway Department down there to oust him from his seat. The Traffic Manager at Christchureh he believed knew all about it. The subject then dropped.