POLITICAL NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 56, 3 September 1904, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

TWO VERSIONS. Ono of the most humorous incidence in tlio laud debate hinges upon certain pumplileta issued by tho Premier, containing a report of the wpeech tliat ho delivered, at Nowtown ju.st prior to the opening of Parliament. Mr. Taylor yesterday produced two of these pamphlet*!, which, ho explained, wero ,"the King J.iniw version and the revised version" of the Right Hon. tho Premier's .speech. Tho '"King James" version contained a lonj> paten go dealing with tho land question, including tho following : "Tho question of freehold v. leasehold in ho momentous, and in its scopo so far-reaching, tliat to bo aileut upon it would be criminal." Another statement referred to the freeholders ns advocates of 111 immoral proposal. Tim "Revised Version," however, contained no allusion whatever to the land question. "And Why?" naked Mr. Taylor, 'lhw is why. That revised version wa« sent in great number lo Pahiatua during tho byelection campaign. Paliiatua was a placo with v reputation for favouring the freehold, and Mr. BuicL — tho member supported by tins Government — was pledged to tho freehold. That was why the Premier's remarks 011 tho land question did not appear in the Revised Vcision which was sent to Pahiatuu. That was the explanation of the suppression of all allusion to the subject, silence concerning which the Rigiit I fon. gentleman had "declared to bo 'criminal.' THE LICENSING BILL. Some- interest ing discussion is likely to take place if tho Licensing Bill over getn into Committee on certain amendment* of which Ma. A. L. D. Fruser hus given notice. Jn the fiwit placo ho proposes t« abolish that provision iv tho Act of 1893 which allows persons to sit on Licensing Committees in spite of the fact that they have expressed views in specific directions with regard to the liquor traffic. His other proposed amendments deal with tied houaes. He proposes that every deed entered into between tho owner of licensed premises and the licensee shall bo absolulely void until confirmed by a Stipendiary Magistrate, who will bo compelled to refuse confirmation if ho finds that it it* against the spirit of tho tiedhouse clauses of tho Act, contrary to equity nnd good conscience, or thnt tho terms are not fair, reasonable, and botui fide. Any ono entering into an agreement tho effect of which is lo defeat tbo above-mentioned objects, is liable first of Jill lo a monetary penalty, and on the seccond conviction -to imprisonment, with hard labour for an unfixed period. Tho landlord or tho tenant ik also liable to a fine or imprisonment .for a breach of the conditions imposed by the Stipendiary Magistrate, and on a second conviction the tenant is disqualified from holding a license during tho next five years. Appeal against tho decision of the- Stipendiary Magistrate may be made to a Judge of tho Supreme Court, whoso decision shall bo final.

Tho weather is still threatening, and it looks as if more rain will fall from tho north. Tho temperature i» high. It stood at 57<leg at 9 o'clock this morning, only a point lower than Auckland. In Christchurch it was 48,~ and in Dunediu 47 degree*. At necct Thursday's meeting of tho City Council Councillor Luke will move : "That until tho ojty tramway service ia extended to Kilbirnie (lie collection of an extru fare for Con»table-slrcel eervico be buspended." ' A reminder is given of tho public meet* ing to bo held in the Muritai Schoolhouse this ovening for tho purpose of considering the proposnl lo wpandc from the Hutt County nnd form a town district. A public discussion on "Shite Control of tho Drink Traffic" will fcikt; pliico on b.inday evening at tho Socialist Party* llnll, 35«, Cuba-Htreet. Selections will "bo rendered by the Socialist orchestra. Adminion is free. Messrs. Thomson and Brown call attention to Ihoir change list of properties opon for sa-10-by private, treaty. CAN'T LO3K. TONKING. To mins a kiss is moro amiss Than it would bo to kiss a Miss; Provided that tho kiss you mUs Tho Miss heroolf would novor mifs. N.B.— Try Tonking's Linseed Emulsion for that cough.— Advt. ARE YOU REQUIRING A SUIT? If so, call to-day, as you may now havo tho choice- of selecting your suit from materials that aro imported in special suit lengths. It in wise- to ordor early boforo tho rush sots in. Wo have no limitation in guarunleoing tv porfoot fit nnd Iho very hi*nl workmntiMiip. Suits to lncnnuro from £4 10s. A trial solicited at Mowm. Adolf Nounian and Sou's, High-clues Tailors, 61, WilUi-Btreet.~Adv£