POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2974, 6 August 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[bv TELKCKAPH—SPECIAL UKI'OKTKIt.I

WELLINGTON", Last Night. HAMILTON VOLUNTEER HALL. Tilt: question of what the Government intend to do with the Hamilton Volunteer Hall is still being urged by Mr Jackson Palmer, who has had many interviews with tho Defence Minister about the matter. Mr Palmer asserts that it was understood that Mr Seddon promised to carry out Captain Russell's agreement with Messrs O'Neill and Knox, which was that the Government should pay what was owed by the third parties and take over tho hall. Mr Sedden says ho can find 110 agreement to that olfect left by Captain Russell, and does not want to form a precedent for other .similar volunteer halls in the colony by taking this one over. He is quite willing for the Government to loss the t'loo put iu by them, and let the other side have the hall, but Mr Palmer pointed out that tho Hall is on Government ground and he wanted to know whether the Government would gi> e the land also. Mr Seddon decline* to do this, but lie offers a long lease. Mr Palmer is not satisfied with this but Mr Sed lon promises to go further and accept as rental for the lease that the volunteers be allowed to drill in the Hall once a week. That is the position at present and there seems no possibility if advancing the matter further although Mr Bryce and Mr l'aliner have June all they can do to get a satisfactory settlement of it. TAXING ABSENTEES. It is stated that the Government aro very much annoyed at the amendment which Dr. Newman moved last night in regard to tho taxation of absentee's land. It is understood the Ministers will walk iuto tho lobby against tho amendment, and if so it will contrast strangely with their oft-repeated assertions in favour of making absentees contribute more to tho general taXati.m of the country.