Now that the General Assembly is sitting, the trade is pretty brisk here. The Government Printing Office has taken on about twenty casuals, and they have been kept very busy, although Parliament has not yet definitely settled down to business.

A deputation appointed by the Wellington Typographical Society waited upon the Hon. the Colonial Secretary last evening, in reference to the right of employés in the Government service to hold office in trade unions. It consisted of Messrs D. P. Fisher, Stevens, T. Taylor, W. P. McGirr, A. J. Cousins, and J. Rigg, jun., secretary. The deputation stated that a member of their society had been required by the Government Printer to choose between resigning his position as secretary of the society, or as a member of his composing staff, it being contrary to the rule of the establishment for any workman to hold office in the local trade union. They urged that this rule was an infringement of their liberty of thought and action; that it was inconsistent, inasmuch as it referred only to members of the Typographical Society, and not to other trade unionists in the employ of the Government; that it was illogical—as the law of New Zealand recognizes trades unionism—that the Cabinet should set itself in opposition; that it has no parallel in any other part of the British Empire; and that the deputation viewed it as an attempt to injure their particular association. They drew attention to the fact that their union had, during the last two years, expended a sum of £280 in alleviating the distress of members of the craft and assisting them to obtain employment, and that it was an important factor in suppressing the socialistic tendencies of individuals. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary stated that he had no previous knowledge of the existence of such a rule, and promised to enquire into the matrer, and communicate subsequently with the deputation.

I have heard a rumor here to the effect that the proprietors of the Catholic Times, started five months ago, are arranging to bring out that magazine in an office of their own. Various reasons are given for their intended action, but they are all surmises. I am inclined to think that from the first it was the intention of the company, if their venture shewed any signs of success, to run an establishment of their own. It is stated that if they sever their connexion with Lyon & Blair, it will cost the company some hundreds of pounds.

In reference to Mr Wakefield's Handbook, on Friday, 25th May, Mr Hutchison asked the Minister for Lands whether the Government would bear in mind the provisions of the Disqualification Act, which forbade payment in any shape to any person who had been a member of the House within twelve months after the expiration of his term of office. Mr Wakefield was member for Selwyn in the last Parliament. Harry Roberts, the well-known footballer and cricketer, who left this city to take up a frame on the Christchurch Press some twelve months or more ago, is back here again, working in the Government Printing Office. He captained the team which played here on the Monday after the Wellington match against the English footballers.