POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1235, 18 September 1911, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

IN THE DOLDRUMS,

So far as affairs in general are concerned, Parliament is in the doldrums. Tho thoughts and ideas of a majority of members aro centred cither in the Budgot debate and in the, scramble for loaves and fishes which will ensue when the Estimates are discussed, or in preparations for the approaching election campaign. The new party, which popular supposition associates with tho name of tho late Minister for Education, Mr. Fowlds, has still to appear abovo the horizon in definite shape, but there is not a doubt that it is expected. It is worth remembering that one or . two members, notably Messrs. Poolo and Arnold, have freely expressed their willingness to 6up[>ort tho most progressive party that may happen to be extant. Coupling these remarks with those of Mr. Fowlds when ho resigned, and of tho Prime Minister when he accepted the resignation, it i 9 a legitimate assumption that a new party, proposing to outdo the pi-esent Liberals in the radicalism of its programme, -will presently make a bid for popular favour.

A PARLIAMENTARY "WAKE."

"A preliminary wako on tho Liberal party as at present constituted," is how ■ ono politician describes tho Budget debate so far as it has gone. Ho added a plausible suggestion that tho Opposition criticism of the Budget would have been moro forcible and pointed if the party to-which that Statement belongs had been in better fighting trim. , Tho fact that the policy - proposals of the Budget aro so evidently in the air, with no immediate prospect of descent to earth, in itself in some respects weakens criticism. More than 0110 member has' been heard to remark during the debate that he would suspend judgment on this or that proposed measure until he had seen it in definite shape. In this way vague generalities obtain a sort of half-hearted support or at anyrate escape definite condemnation. "In any case," concluded tho politician mentioned, "it is impossible to attack an impending political corpse with tho same freedom as an antagonist in the primo of strength and vigour."

GAMING LEGISLATION,

Speculation is still rife as to tho ultimate fate of the Gaming Bill, introduced by Mr. Jennings to restore permits to a number of small country cluos, but only optimists of tho most extreme typo consider that the measure has any clianco worth speaking about of being passed into law. The position at tho moment stems to leave the Government 011 the horns of a dilemma. During the pecond reading debate 011 tho Gaming Bill, the Hon. J. A. Miliar announced that (lie Government would stand by the Gaming Act of last year, which makes the work of the Commission good for a period of twelve months. Later, when tiio Bill was in Committee, it was temporarily withdrawn, at the suggestion of the Prima Minister, who stated that unless the Commission consented to review its work ho would afford Mr. Jennings an opportunity later of taking the sense of tho House upon his Bill. The most interesting feature at the moment is a prophecy made by some members, and in other quarters, that the rejection of the Gaming Amendment Bill will bo follow-ed-by such nil attack 011 the totalisator as has never been mado before. Taking this in conjunction with tho fact that the Bill has a remarkably poor ehnnco of being passed, interesting developments aro in prospect. Meantime it would be interesting to know why tho Primo Minister departed in any' way from the declaration made by Mr. Millar, that the Government would stand by its Act of last year. He has not promised to support tho Bill, but his attitude is certainly very different from that adopted earlier by his colleague.

SIR WILLIAM STEWARD'S ODE

Sir Wm. Steward, M.P. for AVaitaki, has written so many odes in connection with important events in the history of tho Royal Family that he lias almost earned the title of New Zealand Poet Laureate. Tlio latest production, a "Coronation Ode," was duly dispatched to King George, and the author has now received Hie following letter of acknowledgment through his Kscelk-ncy llie Governor:—"Government llou.se, September 11, 1911.—Sir, I beg to inform you that I have received a dispatch from' Ihe lit. lion. Soeretary of State for tho Colonies, asking me to inform you that his Majesty the King has been graciously pleased i'o accept your Coronation Ode, forwarded oil .lime 22 last. His Majesty commands that his best thanks bo conveyed to you for the same. Believe me, yours very truly, Islington." Sir William had the honour of meeting King George when ho was in New Zealand, and on that occasion he presented our present King with a copy of all his "Itoyal" poeuis in a sjiecially-bound volumo.