POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 14413, 8 July 1910, Page 4

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ LEGISLATION.

Mr Fisher’s Legislature Amendment Bill provides for the abolition of the Second Ballot. Tho same member has introduced a Bill to amend the Municipal Corporations Act in regard to a voter’s qualification for local bodies. 'The qualification to vote he proposes to reduce to one year’s residence in New Zealand and one month’s residence in tho district in which the voter wishes to be enrolled. WHICH SIDE SCORED?

The Opposition claim that honors are at least even over the Address-in-Reply debatCj one peculiarity of which was that, no Minister took part'in it, Mr Ngata being only a junior member of the Executive. The Opposition had hoped to draw a Minister by breaking silence yesterday, but were unsuccessful. “E. A. SMITH.” It is expected that Sir Joseph Ward’s promised statement on the relations between E. A. Smith and tho High Commissioners’ Office will not be delivered until the House reassembles after the adjournment while the Address-in-Reply is being delivered to the Governor. Among Bills on the Order Paper that may possibly be reached is the Harbors Amendment Bill, which is down for its second reading. CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES.

.Mr Wilford tendered to the House this afternoon his resignation as Chairman of Committees, in conformity with a promise made by Itim at the time of the mayoral election at Wellington.