POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1230, 12 September 1911, Page 4

POLITICAL NOTES.

TO-NIGHT'S DEBATE. PREPARING FOR THE FRAY, Yesterday was a very quiet day iu and about I'ailiamcnt Buildings and it was noticeable I hat hardly any of the nioro prominent members of either party joined tho ([roups—much smaller than usual— which strolled and chatted in tho corridors. The accepted explanation of this unwonted calm was that members oil whom thci.r parties rely for lighting strength had Rime into retreat to preparo ammunition for the conflict which is duo to commence this evening. Available indications suggest that tho debate oil tho Financial Statement will bo not less vigorous than usual, but t'he real interest of the occasion centres in .something qiiito different from a hard-fought party battle. It is very probable that in tho course of the general review for which tho debate on the liudget nilords scope, some indication will be given of the attitude-of mind in which various members look forward to probablo political developments and events of the noar future. Tho threatened "new parly" is at present little more than a pale figment, but it "is expected in somo quarters that the Budget debate will hardly run its course without giving some definite shape and colour to the new political factor. - THE NEW PARTY. A Government supporter, in conversa. lion yesterday, gave a rough and ready outline of the possible new party which may or may not bo prophetic. A party bached by the No-License and antigambling element, led by Mr. Fowlds, and including in its membership Mr. Poole, Mr. L. M. Jsitt, and Mr. M'Nab (if they aro elected to t'he next' Parliament) and others was tho forecast of tho informant mentioned. He further opined that (ho new party would, in its fullest dimension, be small, and would wield power by joining its strength to one or other of (ho principal parties, as tho Nationalist party docs ill Great Britain. LABOUR BILLS. Tho Labour Bills Committee will begin taking evidence on tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill to-morrow morning. Representatives of the Trades and Labour Councils will be first heard, and officers of tho Employers' Federation will give cvidcuco later. BUDGET INACCURACIES. Tho Budget was withdrawn from circus lalion yesterday morning for the correction of' an error. When it' wns reissued, it was found that tho alteration was concerned merely with a :few words relating, to the arrangement of matter within the Statement'. The words, "this I have already dealt, with" were substituted for "this I shall deal with • Inltr on." No change was made in the incorrect statement noled in (his paper yesterday morning, so that tho Budget still- goes forth with tho assertion that it was on his return to New Zealand that Sir Joseph Ward learned of tho criticism 011 the llolalion of the five million loan—whereas he had himself engaged in a vigorous controversy with his critics on this very subject beforo ho went away. . POLITICAL VETERANS. Although tho friends of Mr. Frank Lawry, member for Parnell, were apparently convinced a little while ago that ho would not seek re-election, Mr. Lawry now says ho will revisit his electorate beforo coming to a final decision. Tho retirement of Mr. llall, tho mcnilier, for Waipawa, had been regarded for somo time as a foregone conclusion, and whatever political significance it may havo is not supposed to bo enhanced by tho particular time chosen by Mr. Hall for making the announcement. '