DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9886, 17 November 1897, Page 6

DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

WELLINGTON, November 16. A deputation representing the hotelkeepers of Balclutha, and including a number of members of Parliament, waited upon the Premier and asked for an amendment of the licensing laws to enable a direct vote to be taken in the Clutha electorate on the licensing question. It waa pointed out that the fact of the inclusion of one small hotel in the Clutha electorate during the recent re-arrangement of electoral boundaries had prevented a vote being taken upon the direct issue as to the restoration of hotels in the district. The deputation also asked for a Royal Commission to enquire into the working of local option in the Clutha. The Premier said what the deputation asked could only be done by an amendment of the licensing law, and it was not intended to introduce any licensing legislation this session. The question of a Royal Commission would have to be considered by the Cabinet. He said he could not understand the conduct of the representation Commissioners in including the small locality in which the licensed house was within the prohibition district of Clutha. It seemed to him that in doing so they had done wrong.

A deputation of Maori chiefs, representing Mahuta and the principal Rangatiras of the North Island, waited npon the Premier and asked him to support the Bill now being printed providing for the constitution of a Maori Council, in which shall be vested the mana over all Native lands remaining unsold. The Bill proposes to absolutely stop all fnrther sales, to abolish Native Land Courts, and generally to give the Council administration in all truly Native -affairs. Mr Seddon said he could not make any definite promise to do anything this session.