POLITICAL NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1279, 3 July 1886, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

Wellington, July 2 This afternoon Sir Geo Grey obtained leave to introduce a Bill to prevent the sale of poisonous matches, being moved thereto by the recent accident al Invercargill. The Bill was read a first time, and sot down for second reading on Thursday next It is, however, so far down the paper that it is not likely to be readied cn that d >y, and will probably proceed no further this session. I understand that in view of tho fact that the House has now' on five successive sessions affirmed the main features of Major Steward's Educational Franchise Bill, viz , the repeal of the cumulative vote, the Premier is willing to concede this point, provided the supporters of the Bill agree to an adult franchise, with three months’ residential qualification. This, it is believed, would bo accepted as a fair compromise, but it is doubtful whether the bill will get into Committee this year, os it is quite on tho cards that private members’ day (Thursday) may be taken for Government business before the 22nd, tho date for which the coinmittrl of the Bill is set down If this should happen tho reform so long sought for will certainly bo gained next year. This afternoon was spent in Committee on tho Native Lands Administration Bill. ■ which *6 passing through with much less difficulty and opposition than had been anticipated. Clause 25 was under discussion wften the House rose at 5.30. It is expected dthat the whole Bill, and also tho Native Land Bill, as well as the Counties Bill, will pass through Committee to night, and, if so, it will make so great a disturbance of the work, that tho close of this session may be looked for at on or before the end of the prej sent month.