POLITICAL NOTES,

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3135, 18 August 1892, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES,

(RV TKJ.KGItAPH —.SI'KM.U, COHItK.SPO\f>K.VT.) Wellington, Last Night. THE LAND BILL. The Wast-; Lauds Cnnmittee is making good progress with the Land Bill. They decided this morning that the area of land 11 be set aside for special settlement in one year should be limited to 250,000 acres, and that this tenure should be lease m perpetuity. Settlers may acquire more than one section, but not more than 320 acres. It was also decided that holders of occupation lie uses paying a rental of fivo per uen e - on the cash price may acquire their freel.-iris after 10 and not later than 20 years from the time ot occupation, or can exchange for a lease in perpetuity, Tliu Bill is not expected back from the committee till next week. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Mr \V. Hutchison, a Government supporter, has tabled u motion to the effect that appointments to the Legislative Council be made as marks of honorable distinction, and it is consequently desirable that the Governor should only call to that chamber such persons as have served the puhlic as legislators and administrators of thoState.in the department of moral orsocial reform or applied themselves to the profession or promotion of literature, science or art, and the Gazettao containing the nomination of Legislative Councillors should set forth the particular service for which each of them respectively has been nominated. MINISTERIAL EXPENSES. It appears from the return furnished to the House on this head that Ministerial salaries and allowances are as follows :— Ministers' salaries, 1891-2, £5,067 ; travelling allowances, £2,137: house allowances, £864 ; residences. iiii'JS ; total, £8,76b': as against £7,681 in 1890-1. TAX ON IMPROVEMENTS. Shortly after the House met this afternoon Sir G. Grey gave notice of an amendment to the Land and Income-tax Amendment Bill to except all improvements. It is stated Sir Geo. is of opinion that only £30,000 would be lost to the revenue by this amendment being carried but a return furnished to the House states the assessments on which tax is to be levied would be reduced by £9,016,515. A NECESSARY MEASURE. Mr Scobie McKenzie has introduced the Corrupt Practices Act Amendment Bill which provides that all payments for election expenses must be made by the candidate himself and must not exceed a total of £10 exclusive of advertising and public meeting rooms, A candidate must pay all expenses within 21 days of his return and within 14 days more must forward a return of the expenditure to the Returning Officer.