POLITICAL NOTES.

Lake County Press, Issue 2392, 7 September 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

R plying to Mr Massey on the second reading of the Sale of Poisons Bill and the Seeds Sale Control Bill, the Hon T. McKenzie said that there would be no undue hurry in passing the measures, and that every oppor-

tunity would be given for those, desirous of giving evidence in regard to the proposed legislation.

Mr Laurenson’s Universal Half-holi-day Bill provides that all shops as defined by “ The Shops and Office Act, 1908,” shall close not later than noon every Saturday, and remain closed for the rest of the day. The business places of fishmongers, fruiterers, confectioners, refreshment room keepers, bakers, and railway bookstall keepers, are exempted, but their assistants are not to be deprived of the right of a half-holiday during the week. The work = of loading and discharging vessels must cease at noon on Saturday,) but, in cases of urgency, ships may be worked on payment of overtime.

The fact that tho House of Representatives passed the first clause of the Gaming Act Amendment Bill on Friday is regardecj with considerable satisfaction by Mr Jennings, who has been entrusted with the task of endeavoring to reinstate those country clubs which have been deprived ]of tote permits. By passing the clause, Mr Jennings contends, the House affirmed the principle of the Bill, and he estimates that he has at least forty-eight members on his side. As the outcome of Friday night’s proceedings it is likely that s 'large deputation of members will wait on the Prime Minister and urge him to take up the Bill and put it through as a Government measure.

Politically matters are simmering on the West Coast except in the case of Westland, where the election campaign is being conducted with a vigour which suggests that both sides will bo armed to the teeth by election day. It is surprising (says a West Coast paper) to note tho amount of bitterness and enmity that lias been introduced into the contest, which has already had tho effect of parting people who have been friends for a lifetime. Westland takes its politics desperately in earnest, and every little post on a local body is sought for on the basis of a Seddon v. Michel issue. The energy put into the preparation for the campaign might easily do a better cause justice.