POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2962, 9 July 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[IIY TKMCUItAI'H — SPECIAL HKrijUTKIl.]

Wki.unci'on, Li-t Night. a:* awkward amkndmfnt. , SOMB little excitement was created ill the House thia afternoon mi Mr Dutliiu asking for leave to move a further iimi'iidinont to the amendment now bef.ira the lloii-e, moved by Mr Fish, which U prictically an expression <>f confidence in the Go\erninont. Mr Duthie's ainenjinant, however, was regarded in a hostile spirit by thu Ministers, especially by Mr Sedfltm. who tried his utmost to prevent its being brought forward. The amendment was as follows: " That in view of thci surplus of 1557,M0, estimated to be available, and of the proposal to reduce the postal rate, this House is of opinion Mint any relief given should be in the direction of reducing the duties on the necessaries of life." The Speaker ruled that uuless Mr Fish's motion was negatived, Mr Dutbie's would only come on by way of addition nt the end of it. A lengthy discussion then followed and Mr Feigus moved the adjournment of the House to enable members to speuk on the question. It is pretty evident now, that the debate cannot conclude to-night, as was generally expected. THE LAND BILL. Minister.-: propose under Mr McKenzio's Luid Bill to keep up the existing system of acquiring land —freehold, deferred payment, and perpptual lease. Alienation of Crown land under any of the systems will be restricted to areas of 2000 acres. Land taken on the freehold tenure is not to be transferred to the purchaser until certain improvements have been inude, but the purchaser is not to he bound to reside on his property. In the deferred payment system, however, rcsider.ee is to be made compulsory after throe years in the case of bush lands, and after one in open country. Under perpetual lease, the light to acquire , , the freehold is to bo done away with. Provisions are to be made in recrard to village and special settlements, and small grazing runs nro to be retained ; but the area of annually leased pastoral country which can be held by any person or company is to bo restricted. Diimiiiyisin is to bo punished by imprisonment, and the Land Boards are to have extended powers for enquiring into till litigation in respect to it. They are, in fact, to be compelled t:> institute proceedings in tl;n law courts in any case they consider calls for enquiry. SIR JOHN HALL'S RKI'LY. The Minister for Lands, in his speech last week on the Financial Statement, exhibited a map of Sir Jtilm Hall's property at Hororata (Canterbury), in order to illustrate hi* nrguinenr. against tho acquisition of large estates. Sir John, in the course of :>it admirable speech last night, referred to tiis action of thu Minister, which he characterised as being most unusual, to s,iy the least of it- Sir.lohn further said that he had been in the part of tho country where he now lives for forty years, and had contested uwro elections than any man in the House. Mi;looked withcoiiteini t upon the miserable attempt made by the Minister for Luids to traduce him in thu eyes of the House and tho country. OPPOSITION CAUCUS. A caucus of Opposition lneiubeis was held this morning. Mr llryee nceupied thu chair. It was decided that Mr Unthiu should move the amendment, and ho gave notice of this this afternoon, traversing tho Government proposals. Mr Scobio Mackenzie urged that some reference should also be made in the amendment to the reduction m the p tsUge, but this was not thought desirable by the meeting.