POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 11657, 18 September 1901, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[FSOK OUB PaBLIAMIMTAKY RKPORTM.J WELLINGTON, September 18. MINISTERIAL CAUCUS. A caucus of the Government party yesterday lasted two hours. The rumor spread at once that after Friday's all-night sitting the Premier had determined to rally Lis party and take a short cut to end the session. The following, however, is the result of the caucus, as announced by the whips; everyone else is reticent:—"The caucus was •well attended, all those of the party not present being accounted for. A general discussion took place as to the business of the session, and amongst other things it was decided to deal with the Estimates twice aweek. The Premier intimated that he was not in favor of unduly long sittings, and that he had no desire to force them, provided that there was fair discussion and not obstruction. A Bill wn, be introduced making clear the position of the fanners in connection \rulx the Workmen's Compensation Act" What transpired at the Government caucus was not fully described in the official report communicated to the Press. In the first place, there were only thirty-six members present, but a number subsequently explained that they were engaged on committees who were sitting. It is reported that those who were present were not altogether a happy family, and that the Premier did not have things all'his own way. The San Francisco mail service cropped up incidentally, and it was evident that many Southern members are opposed to iti The Premier and the Postmaster-General, however, will do their best to get the House to agree to a continuance of tne service. Then the representation of New Zealand at the Coronation in June next year was mentioned by Mr Sajidon, who asked his supporters to consider the question of an early session to be held next year, so that he may go to England, beveral men-Sers on the other hand contended that there is no reason whv the usual order of things should be changed and.that the remaining Ministers are quite •nfficient to carry on business, so far as aumbers are concerned, and if they are not •uffidently able to do the work that is the iault o'f the Premier. No decision was arrived at It was decided that the Counties Bill should be gone on with. THAT BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. The sum of £IJ demanded for the breach

of privilege bythe Dtmedin ' Star' was paid yesterday; Mr A. E. Cohen, the parlia-' mentary representative of the paper, handed to the clerk, of the Houbb a cheque marked "Pay brellcii of privilege or bearer," and received an acknowledgment—a formal, typewritten receipt,-signed by Mr Guinness, ss Deputy Speaker. So the incident ended. ;■ PROHIBITION OF,PREVENTIVES: • It is evident that the falling birth-rate has been the raison d'etre for the introduction of the Sales of Preventives Prohibition Bill,, which the Premier has charge' of. The' «ale or possession of preventives is deemed - an offence, punishable by fine not £20 s for a first offence, £SO for a. second ' offence, and imprisonment for a subsequent offence. The Bill is .apparently aimed at? hawkers or vendors of goods, and power is given the police to search the packs or goods of these persons/ A duly registered medical practitioner may under certain circumstances authorise the use of preventives \. in, such cases as where a .woman's life may be endangered. ' , MINING LEGISLATION. • The Mining Act Amendment Bill (of which the Minister of Mines has charge) proposes to give the workmen employed in' any mine or a society the power to appoint—two persons to inspect the mine, whether those two persons are employed in theminV or not.. There shall also, it is proposed, be a right of appeal from any decision of the Commissioner of Crown' Lands as to thegnmr of ally mining privilege under section oof the Mining Act Amendment Act, 1899. The result of every,appeal under Bection 281 of the Mining Act,'lß9B, and this Act is to be forthwith communicated to t&Vclerk of the ; court from which the appeal was made, or to the Commissioner whose I decision is appealed against. " THE ALLENDALE MINE. As an outcome of the Premier's references on Friday night to the Allendale mine, Mr James Allen has given notice to move—"That there be laid before this House all reports from the Inspectors of Mines relative to the Allendale Coal Company's mine, made cither to the Minister or to the manager of the mine since the company were incorporated, and up to the present date, 17th September, 1901." Also to,move—- " That ■ there be laid before this House n. return showing the number of accidents and deaths that hav« occurred in the Allendale Coal Company's mine since the incorporation of the company, with the cause of death or accident, as set forth after inquiry." JOTTINGS. Mr Wilford yesterday presented a petition • from the Salvation Army protesting against the introduction of liquor into the Kin" Country. Several other petitions to a like effect were presented from all parts of the colony. , , • Three days' leave of absence to Mr A. Morrison and one week to Mr M*Lachlan have been granted, both on account of illness. : The last has not been heard of the alleged treatment of returning contingenters oy i'io Tagu&, Mr James Allen having given notb> to move for a return of all correspondence in reference to the matter, both before and aftej the men's arrival in the colony: also for a return of illnesses and complaint:' among the troopers by that vessel.