POLITICAL NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 51, 29 August 1904, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

. _* A WIDE DISCRETION. Carelessly drafted Bills continue to add •to the gaiety of members. Hard on the heel* of Mr. Fiold's " Bigamy Bill " — so nicknamed because of ita proposal that a man should bo ut liberty to marry his mother's brother's wife! — cornea a Martiing proposition in the Premier's Triufo Monopolies Prevention Bill. Cluuso Vw of this measure proposes that tho Court, "if satisfied that the dofemlant has been guilty of a trade monopoly, may in its discretion . . '. do any one or more of" eight things, which nro set out in detail. One of the eight things that tho Court may do " if satisfied that tho defendant ha* been guilty,", is to " declare any defendant not guilty of an alleged monopoly, and award to him such coats and expenses m it may deem reasonable I" There in Said to be a possibility that tho Court'e wido " discretion " may bo limited when tho Bill reaches Committee. THE LAND QUIOSTION. Tho deixUo on the Premier's motion to sot up a Royal CommiKsiou on land will begin to-morrow, and is expected to luet about three days. Tho terms of tho Leader of tho Opposition's amendment have not yet been finally agreed upon, buf il« salient features will, of course, bo tho affirmation of the principle that all Crown lottschoklorw-in-porpeUuty shall have the option of acquiring the freehold of their holdings, ana thin, it is anticipated, will be accepted by the Govornment act a no-confidence motion. As to tho rcbult, it is not regarded as being in tho slightest degree doubtful. Those Government supporters who would otherwise have votwf for the freehold will gladly avail themselves of the opportunity of voting to set up a Royal Commission, so ns not to put tjhe Premier in au awkward predicament, and tho Whips are assured of a considerable majority in favour of the Premier's proposed. THE MAORI DOG. Tho Native Affairs Committee ln«t Thucsday presented a report commending to tho favourable consideration of tho Government a number of petitions from County- Councils in this Island praying for the abolition of the Maori Councils' power to levy a dog tax. Mr. Herrios on the presentation of tho report, said that the Maori Councils were very lax, ami their- dogs did great dnmago to sheep owners. Mr. Hoke said that if any Councils failed to enforce the dog Uuc power should be given to tho Maori or European authorities to destroy dojm tbe tax for which hod not been paid. Tho Native Minister «ard that the laxity of tho Councils was not gonerul, and the Council* had succeeded in tapping an area of dog registration that had never been taxed before.