NOTES.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8898, 14 September 1894, Page 5

NOTES.

[By Tbusgbaph.] (fbom oub special coriikspokdknt.) WELLINGTON, September 13, THE BANES' AMALGAMATION. I have nothing farther to add as to the agreement between the Banks for amalgamation. My statement of yesterday as to the nature of the agreement I think generally correct as to essentials. LICENSING BILL. There was a considerable amount of suppressed excitement in the House when the Premier, shortly aiter nine o'clock to-night, rose amid applause to move the seccnd reading of the Government Licensing Bill. After a short introduction he demanded, in his burly tones, "Is there necessity for this Bill? a question which evoked cries botu of "Yea ,, and "No." " I say there is," he shouted above these interjections, and t,hen went on to explaiu that the Act of lost session had proved defective in*ertain details. The Government, he said, desired the Bill to pass. v Seriously," blandly interjected au honourable member. " Yes, seriously," retorted the Premier, reminding the House that many would not believe the Government to be serious about the women's franchise until they found the women exercising their votes. Laughter wae elicited in' certain quarters when the Premier said that he would be surprised if his measure was materially altered in its passage through the House, and the laughter became general when he stated it was a " Go-as-you-please " Bill. It was not a question of colour, he declared, and he gave his permission to members to freely and openly express their opinions, and to vote as they believed to be in the best interests of the people. The speech was an able and' temperate one; Mr McNab followed on behalf of the temperance party, and the House was- thus fairly lauuched upon the consideration of the measure. It being understood that the Bill would be practi-' cally killed if it did not paaa the second reading that night, therefore by general consent the speeches were few. .Messrs. Collins, Heke, and Satinders were the only other speakers, and before the supper adjournment the second reading was agreed to, the voice of Mr Lawry being the only one raised against the motion. No division was called for. NEW ZEALAND CONSOLS. " , The New Zealand Console Bill, distributed this eveniog, Iβ entitled an Act to afford facilities for the investment of eaviocß by the creation of New Zealand Inscribed Consols. It provides that the Colonial Treasurer may receive from persons in the colony, by way of deposit, sums not exceeding in the whole £1,000,000 sterling, bearing interest at 4 per cent. The Treasurer shall fix the duration of deposits, which shall nob extend beyond forty years,' and may be made at any post or money order office in the colony. The depositor shall be registered as holder of inscribed consols to amount of hia depoaip, which shall be paid into ' the public account aud form part of the consolidated f and. Every persoa registered will be thebolder 61 consols, with the right to receive interest halt-yearly. The Registrar shall, give any holder a copy of the register entry relating to, such nolder'e oonßols, waioh shall be jpnme/ocie.evidenoe in all Courts of each, entry. - Notices of'l rusts will nob be entered in the register, while a Judge may prohibit dealings with any consols, and the Registrar must obey the order. Console certificate* may be issued to depositors for \ not leae than £5 or a multiple of £5 of the amount, deposited, and. these deposits will be transferable on delivery. Oα certificate to tne Registrar, the bearer becomes registered as- the proprietor of the console described in such certificate.. Provision is made for e&sy T&oafers ol console, and recognition of title of executors, administrators, and assigns. Warrants for accrued interest will be issued through tbe poet to persons entitled), and not be made transferable by endorsement. The Governor in Council may.frora time to.time.deolare all consols or certificates convertible into consols. AU' consols* interest charger, and expenses are to be a charge, on the Consolidated Fund without farther authority or appropriation. The Registrar may, with the consent of the Treasurer,, accept Government securities in lieu of cash for consols.