POLITICAL NOTES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 8, 4 October 1919, Page 9

POLITICAL NOTES

NOT ENOUGH TIME. , Mr. A. Walker (Diinedin North)' asked Hie Minister of Labour (Mr.Massey) whether he was prepared' to bring down mi; amendment to the Arbitration Act this session. •Mr.-Massey said that he did not think llioro would bo nn opportunity of bruising down such a Bill this session unless imiek more rapid progress was-iiiade-with the business of the 'Mouse than had been made hitherto. . . .

.Mr. AValker ■ then asked whether it was the intention to briny; down .any other legislation bearing on the settlement of disputes. ' Mr. Massey said.that: he did not thinkthere would be any amendment of: the Arbitration Act this session, nor did ho think there would bo an amendment of the Labour Disputes Investigation Act. Ho was not quite certain what might bo ■necessary in respect, of this latter Act before the end of the session. ■

CONCERNING PORTFOLIOS. A rearrangement: of portfolios in order that: the; portfolios of Education and Public Health might be held ill the Lower' House was suggested by Mr. S. (i. Smith (Taranaki) in the Iloiise of Lepresentatives. These portfolios are hold at present by Sir' Francis Bell, who sits in the Legislative Council. Jlr. Smith said there there, wns a strong' feelins throughout tho country that in these days of reconstruction education should he regarded as a particularly impoHnut department of' State. The Prime Minister replied that ho could only say tho matter would bo con-' w'dered when reconstruction of the Ministry took place.

ELECTORAL ROLLS.' A suggestion that the electoral r'oß should bo reprinted was made in the House of Tlrpresentativei by Mt. .T. A. : Toiihg (Waikafo), who stated that owing to the alteration'of boundaries very many names required to bo transferred, and the old rolls ought to.be roprinted. . The Prime. Minister replied that ho would consult the. head of the Elwtoral I-'epartment <m the point.' Ho was exceedingly, anxious to have clean Tolls, and nothing would ho left undone in that direction. '~ ', .

THE LICENSING LAW. "As far. as. 1 know there will he no amendment of the Licensing Act during the present session." said the Prime Minister in- the House : of Representatives, yesterday, replying to a. question from Dr. Newman. Sir Joseph Ward interjected .that a Licensing Bill co.uld not be? got. through this session if the general election jvaa-lp hold before, tho eud of, the year. ''

WIVES OF SOLDIERS. Mr. G. "Witty (Ricearton) asked in the Reuse if the Government .intended, in amending the • electoral lla'w this aes:fcion, to' give the franchise to wives of soldiers even if these women had not resided ill. New Zealand for'the required: •"'term. The Prime Minister replied that, there, would lie an amendment, nf the electoral ' law, hut.'the point raised by Mr. Witty' ' had not been considered 'by CaWn'et. It ' : had not. 'been overlooked, and it would be'for the' Government and Parliament to say whether or not'thewomon should be enabled'to vote, before.'they had comSleted twefllve months' residence in the taniinion. " ... <> '■-. : ,' ■■':