POLITICAL NOTES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3199, 25 September 1917, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES

'<; ; '.^SNOTHER-UQUOR BILL? 7 STATE CONTROL IDEA : The possibility of another Liquor Bill . l>eing. introduced this session is being dis- • cussed in file Tob"sTes. In the course of Ja recent epeeoh, Sir Joseph Ward hinted that the adoption of six o'clock closing . might make further liquor legislation deeirable. A Bill would certainly iiave.to •"be passed this session if a licensing poll is to be held before the next general election. Legislation will also be required ' if the Government feel Unit there should 3be an alteration in the issues to be placed.before £ne voters at the next poll. The question of State control or State ownership is now receiving a good deal of at- '. tention, and the problem of compensation Ihas also been forced to the front. At present all that can "Be said is that there 'is. a possibility, of another' Liquor Bill toefore the eeseion has concluded. .' THE SECOND DIVISION. ■:■'■■ ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE :/ TO-NIGHT. -.■'-:' The provision for the Second Division ■men ans their dependants will, involve such a heavy financial burden on the •country that the Government is anxious to take the House fully into its confidence,' and to share its responsibilities with every member. The decisions of the ■ ytound table conference as regards rotes of ■■ P a y> pensions, and separation allowances '■'..will almost certainly be ■ accepted /by 'the Government,, and be ■ inserted; iii the proposetTlegislation or regulations. The problem to be solved .is p. very big- one. and the 6um involved is so large that the Government is Jesir- ; ous of having the support of a practically ''.unanimous.House. If tho conference is a success the progress of the proposed •legislation through Parliament rill "be ■ greatly-facilitated, as a large measure of agreement will already have been readied as far as its main features are concerned.

, In the House of Representatives last evening the Prime Minister announced that a round table conference, of Ministers and members' will be held in the House this evening at 7.3o'o'clock io discuss fte Government's proposals in reference to the Second Division, and that the proceedings will be in camera. Sir (Frederick Lang would act as chairman. The speakers on every occasion would bft limited to ten minutes. "We want a free and candid 'discussion on the proposals brought forward to-night by rr.e ■Defence Minister," added Mr. Massey. "h tope the Bill will go on'the Statute Boot much more readily than otherwiso might be the cnee.". . ■ •

■Mr. Wilford: Is.it to be in the form "of a printed Bill or proposals? Sir James Allen: Not in the form of a Bill. What is intended to be put into the. Bill will be brought.. before the •House. ~' ■ ' '. Mr. Miissey stated that the conference •would take something of the form of. a secret session, the tress representatives would , not be presents and nothing ? cmld be taken down by the Hansard reporters.