PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8534, 14 July 1893, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

S [Bt Telegraph.] (l-tOM OCR SPKOIAL CORRESPONBENI 1 .) WELLINGTON, July IS. LICENSING ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Feeling sore at the attempt by the Go* vernment to "euchre" him in the second reading of his Direct Veto Bill, Sir R. Stout has given notice of the introduction of the Licensing Act Amendment Bill. The object of this measure, I learn from Sir Robert, is to give the people greater control in dealing with the issue of hotel licenses. Whenever the triennial local option poll is taken two additional questions are to Tbe put to electors, viz., Whether they desire any licenses to be issued, and whether the number of existing licenses is to be reduced. If the result of the poll ia that no licenses are to be issued none shall be granted for a period of three years. If it be decided that the number of licenses shallbe reduced,, then no licenses beyond one to every 750 inhabitants in a licensiug district shall be issued. With a view to preventing a recurrence of what took place in Sydenham when the Licensing Committee's action in shutting up all the houses was upset on the ground that the members had not brought a judicial mind to bear on the applications brought before them, it is expressly stipulated that " no Committeeman shall be disqualified, nor shall the decision of any Committee be questioned on the ground that any Committeeman has, prior to his election or prior to the giving of tbe decision of the Committee, expressed any special or general opinion as to the policy of granting licenses." It is also .provided that there shall be one general triennial polling day for the colony, and that the first such poll shall take place during the month Of June next. The present licensing districts are not extended, but all Clerks to existing Committees are directed to add to the ratepayers' roll of the licensing district the names of all persons enrolled on the roll of electors of members of the House of Representatives. JOTTINGS. One result of the recent temporary rearrangement of Ministerial portfolios is that the Hon. J. McKenzie undertakes the pats chasing of Native lands for the Crown. The legislative trip to the Cheviot estate will come off in about a fortnight's rime. It is understood that the Government will _, take no active part in the Auckland election, and that Messrs Cadman and Rees will be allowed to settle their own differences. Every effort will be made, however, to limit the issues in the Auckland contest, and it is probable that Mr Napier will be induced to retire. Should Mr Cadman be returned to the House the probability is that he will also return to the Ministry, as Ministers will bring such pressure to bear upon him as to overcome his present reluctance to return to office. Ia this case Mr Carroll will retain bis existing official position in the Cabinet. There is so much intriguing for the vacant portfolio that the Government cannot, without causing endless jealousy, go bsyoud Messrs Cadman and Carroll, and they are very unlikely to do so. It is improbable that anything further will be done respecting the executive appointment in the Council for a few days, as at present business there is very light, and the Council might, without any great inconvenience, adjourn for a week. As soon as the Policy Bills begin to go up from the Lower House, a definite step will be uecea-~ sary, and then I anticipate that the Hon. W. Montgomery will be urged to accept this position. Considerable opposition was shown in the House this afternoon to the Mangata No. 1 Empowering Bill, the second reading of which was moved by Mr Pratt. The measure provides that a block of 100,000 acres of land in the Gisborne district, at present in the bands of a trust of seven persons appointed by the Land Court, shall revert back to 118 Naiive owners, who shall elect a committee for the administration of the property, have power to lease for forty years, or to mortgage. The Hon. Mr Mitchelson objected to the Bill, and moved that it be read a second time that day six months. He pointed out that the Natives, who in the past were foolish enough to put their lands into the hands of trustees, bad lost their aIL Copt. Russell and several other members objected to the measure, on the ground that it proposed to alter the existing Native land laws of the colony, and that ought to be done by a public Bill The motion for the second reading was assented toon the voices, aad the measure was referred to the Private Bills Committee.

Pirihana Timgia, and ten other Porirua Natives, sre petitioning the House to prevent the taking of a portion of theTakapuahia block for the Porirua Lunatic Asylum. They claim that this is the only land remaining to them, their ancestors having sold the rest to the Queen, and that they require it and will not agree to part with it. .

The A. to L. Petitions Committee recommends to the consideration of the Government the petitions for the prevention of the influx of Austrians to the gumfields. A return was laid on the table showing the continued reductions made in the tariffs by the Railway Commissioner., Mr Ehodes has presented to the House a petition from a number of Waitohi farmers, iv favour of the direct veto.

(PRESS ASSOCIATIOX TELS6_I__S.) AUCKLAND, July 15. Mr Adam Porter has decided not to stand for the city in the approaching contest between Messrs Cadman and Rees. Mr W. 3. Napier, in the city contest, states that he will place himself entirely in the hands of the Liberal party, and will do nothing to embarrass it or prejudice its interests. He considers Mr Cadman should appeal to his own constituency. WELLINGTON. July 13. The Thames election is fixed for August 4th.