POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 313, 28 September 1908, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP. The question of the appointment of a successor to the Hon. W. P. Reeves in London is now scarcely regarded in tho lobbies as a subject of speculation, as it is accepted as a certainty that tho Hon. W. Hall-Jones will be the nest High Commissioner. The ijuestion as to who will succeed him in tho Ministry is ono on which oven rumour has scarcely anything to say. Mr. Laurenson's name i: most frequently mentioned, and his claims as a Canterbury member and a prominent politician are undoubtedly strong, but it is felt that his Socialistic views make him from more than one point of view a not altogether desirable acquisition to the Cabinet. Mr. Buddo is thought by some to have a chance,' especially as he is a country member and a faithful supporter, and has not at any time been classed with tho Socialistic wing. The rumour that the Hon. J. M'Gowan is to retiro has been revived by a country newspaper, but does not . receive much credence among members. If there does arise a need to appoint a new Minister from Jmong North Island representatives, Mr. Hogg is looked upon in some quarters as a possibility. But tho question, "What of the Flour Duty Abolition Bill ?" is bound to arise. And then there are the claims of Auckland to be considered. It seems pretty safe to say that for tactical, if for no other reasons, no new Minister will bo appointed until after the general election. Tho Dairy Regulations. Country members are about, as much interested in tho new dairy regulations as in anything else in the political arena just now. They, have been sending away numorous copies in response to requests from thoir constituents. Tho Parliamentary Committee to which the regulations were referred is taking evidence, arid as tho subject is a contentious one (vide reports of meetings of farmers in all parts of the country) it is thought that tho regulations will probably bo allowed to stand over until nest session. Native Land Laws. Sir William Steward is getting up a deputation of members to wait upon Ministers oh Tuesday for tho purpose of advocating an early commencement of tho task of consolidating the Nativo land laws. Chinese Immigration. The Hon. Mr. Millar's Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill is a short measure to exempt Chinese who have left New Zealand and returned within four years from tho language .test, which was imposed by,tho Act of last session. Chinese .can only tako advantage of the exemption by having their names registered with a Collector of Customs on leaving. Regulations as to the manner and conditions of registration may bo issued by Order-in-Council. The End of the Session. ■ Nobody in the lobbies seems to tako seriously tho idea of prorogation at tho end of this week. Two weeks is tho shortest timo that members count upon with any degrco of ccrtainty, and none of thcra deny that if the session ends a fortnight henco there must be the usual rush at tho finish.