POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1218, 29 August 1911, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

DISCONTENTED MEMBERS. A largo section of members on the Government sido of the House scorn to bo quite unable as yet to reconcile themselves to Hie i<lcn of Sir John Findlay coming amongst them to tako his place by his leader's side. Tho result of such ah even'., they foresee, would be that other men's prospects of promotion would grow dim. .Each of Sir Joseph Ward's rearrangements of the portfolios has left a number of disappointed aspirants among the Ministerial rank'and file, and this latest announcement is causing their wounds to rankle afresh. The feeling is evident to anyone who moves amongst members. Should Mr. M'Nab win tho Palmerston seat—an event which even some of the Ministerialists think doubtful—their discontent will •be all tho greater, as it is taken for granted that, if elected, ho will be restored to the Cabinet. A season of difficulties, of rumours and of discontent is evidently beginning. One step- towards a settlement may be tho appointment of the Hon. T. Mackenzie n.s High Commissioner, but meanwhile the general election may alter the whole situation. THE UPPER HOUSE. Tho proceedings in the Council this afternoon.should be of some interest. Tho Hon. J. M'Gowan will welcome Sir John Findlay and hand back the leadership to him. Other members may sneak in a congratulatory strain, and the At-torney-General's reply is expected to take the form of a set speech of some length. SOME NATIVE LANDS. The Native Minister (Sir James Carroll) has informed Mr. Ross that a further proclamation will bB issued, prohibiting for six months any private alienation of .6297 acres of Native land in the Mangaho and Mangaone survey districts, known officially as Monteith's and Ormond's. between Woodville and Pahiatua. Mr. Ross states that the Government hopes to be abl? to arrange, before the expiry of the proclamation, to purchase the hind for scttloment purposes. The proclamation over the Ahutarauga Block, familiarly known as Nelson's, situated near Wocdville, expires on January 27, and the Government is now negotiating with the owners. THE PRIME MINISTER.' It is understood that' a demonstration to welcome the PYimc Minister when ho takes his place in the House tin's afternoon has been arranged by members on the Government side. Sir Joseph Ward, in his reply, may speak of titles—hereditary and otherwise—and Coronation . invitations, besides Imperial affairs. Mr. Massey cannot be in his place much beforo 5 o'clock, as lie is returning from Auckland by tho Main Trunk express.

THE HUTT ROAD. The Hutt Road Bill is expected to coiiio on to-day, and some strong protests may I>3 expscted from local members against tho proposal to charge the local bodies with the .6100,000 which the Hon. J. A. Millar states has been spent in remaking tho .seven-mile road from Wellington, to Petone.