PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7381, 6 August 1889, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

[Bt Telegbaph._ [from otjb special correspondent."] WELLINGTON, August 5. Those who are in favor of a return to ninety-one members have had their ardor considerably damped by the result of a canvass of the Upper House, which shows, so rumor says, that if the Lower House passes an Act to repeal the Act of 1887 it would be thrown out by the Council. It is believed by some that the members in favor of repeal are strong enough to obtain a reversal of the Reduction of Members Act even if it were made a Ministerial question, but whether any steps will now be taken in view of the probable attitude of the Upper House is very doubtful. I am informed that Mr T. Thompson is again interesting himself in the claims of old soldiers and volunteers, and he has suggested that the vast amount of work which must devolve on the Investigation Committee would be materially lessened, the investigation be more thorough and complete, if the claims were dealt with by the Land Boards in the respective districts, and in his view Mr Whyte and others concur. Mr Bruce, who is a member of the Committee, informs mc that he believes this course might be adopted after the claims had been considered by the Conimittee and duly classified. The Copyright Bill, introduced into the Upper House by Sir F. Whitaker, is intended to consolidate the law on the subject. It deals with copyright on book 3, newspapers, lectures, dramatic and musical compositions, paintings, sculptures, engravings, and photographs. Provision is i made for reciprocity in copyright protecj tion with other colonies. ! Many members have had applications from teachers for copies of the education report, but it has not been circulated. Applications have also been received for copies of the army list, but this is not now published by the Department, and no copy can be obtained in Wellington. During the recent stonewall Mr Mitchelson did not leave the House for sixty hours, and obtained what sleep he could on the Government benches. is thought the financial debate will be very short, or will be merged into the discussion on the Public Works Statement. It is stated that Mr Hislop, Colonial Secretary, has directed the Government Printer to send a copy of the Ward-Christie- j Hislop correspondence to every solicitor in j the colony. [