POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2678, 10 September 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(iJV TELl!r.R.Vri[. —OWN' <JOIUt!CSPONI)RNT.) Whi.i.inutox, Monday. Till-: P All LI AM I? XT A 11Y LIBRARY. Considerable discussion arosj tliin afternoon as to the desirability of allowing the public further futility for using the maguifiI'ont library attached to this Parliamentary liuildings during the recess. Tho question cropped up through the report uf tlio Joint Library Committee being laid on the table, the effect of the report being to limit the use of tho library in l.lm recess to His Excellency the Uovurnor anrl the members of the ffouse. The Premier .spoke.strongly against Uie report, and moved that it bo referred back to the committee for further consideration. lie s:»id it wont in the wrong direction, and simply meant keeping the library locked up in the recess. He hoped the House would insist on leaving the matter to tho Recess Committee. Mr J'allanco said he agreed with tho Premier, but it was fair to say that the reason as.signod by the Legislative Council for restricting the use of tho books to members alono was in order that the library should not interfere with private enterprise in a similar direction in Wellington. Dr. Newman expressed tho opinion that the privilege of using the library should not be restricted, as it was exceedingly useful to University students and others, and ho did not believo that acce-is to the library would interfere with private entorpiise. Mr W. P. Reeves endorsed tho action of the Legislative Council, pointing out that as the matter now stood only the wealthier classes had access to the library, and this prevented them from assisting in any local enterprise to establish a public library. He had found that not only did certain people take out books on their own account, but rhey lent them to their friends, directly or indirectly. It should bo either a Parliamentary library or a public library, and should not be a class institution. After several ether members had spoken the Premier's motion for referring tho report back was agreed to.

SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE. The Premier's resolutions in connection with the San Francisco contract are to be traversed by a series of amendments drawn up by Mr Ward, as follows:— (1) That the gross total cost of conveyance of the ocean mails should not exceed t!20,000 pei- annum : (2) that experience having shown that the San Francisco service does not meet one of the main objects for which it was originally subsidised, namely, the opening op a trade with America, bat, on the contrary, has served to develop a formidable competitor in tho Australian ma rlcels against tho producers ill this colony, it is not desirable further subsidies be granted it. 3. That the Government be authorised to arrange for a fortnightly 42-43 days service by direct steamer, at a gross cost not exceeding £20,000 per annum, no bonuses, and no penalties further than a reasonable rate of fines for late delivery. 4. That failing satisfactory arrangements being nade with I the direct steamers for a fui tuigtly service, the Government bo authorised to arrange with tho P. and O, the Orient, or other lines with equally favourable arrangements to be made for a weekly service via Melbourne, at a total gross cost including inter colonial service not exceeding £20,000 per annum. 5. That no service be arranged for a longer period than twelve months. THE AUCKLAND ECONOMISTS. It is fully expected that the Auckland members, several of whom belong to what was known last session as " The Skinflint Committee," will make a desperate light for retaining the San Francisco service, in order to benefit the northern city, Mr I Uoldie's attitude especially will be keenly I critici-ed on this question, as like Mr Saundets, ho possesses a perfect mania for cutting down salaries of unfortunate Civil Servants, except of course where Auckland is concerned. The resolutions will be moved to-moriow, in committee of the whole. THE OAMARU ELECTION. The statement that has found currency to the effect that.the Opposition are endeavouring to got the local candidates to withdraw in the idea, that- the Oamatu contest may be between Hislop aud Jellicoe only is positively contradicted, and leading members of the Opposition, deny all knowledge of the report. MR MOSS'S FORGETFULNESS. An amusing little incident occurred in tho House this afternoon. The question under discussion was the report of the Joint Library Committee, and Mr O'Connor was speaking to the Premier's motion when the House was startled by the division bells ringing out suddenly all through tho building. Members looked about with a bewildered ex-jnv.i.-i mi on their faces, but it eventually transpired that the commotion was caused through Mr Moss (who was conversing with the Clerk of Parliaments,. Major Campbell), having unconsciously pressed the electrio valve, which sets the whole of the divisi .n bells in motion. The explanation of the incident caused hearty laughter.