POLITICAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12551, 12 July 1901, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

[Feom Oub Special CobbeSpon v dext.] WELLINGTON, July 11. AN EPISODF IN THE COUNCIL. That the unexpected happens in politics was once more demonstrated in connection with the election for th© chairmanship of committets in the Legislative Council. The Government nominee, the Hon W. C. Smith, was distasteful to a large section of the Chamber, and to ensure his defeat it was determined to make the selection by ballot, under the rules drawn up in October, 1897 for the first election of Speaker. The modus operandi i* peculiar: At the first ballot Councillors must exercise their votes for three candidates, and the names of the three gentlemen securing the highest support are submitted to a second ballot. Those 'who came out on top at the first time of asking vrere the Hon Captain Baillie (17), the Hon J. Rigg (13), and the Hon W. C. Smith (13), The second ballot proved: fatal to the last-named, Captain Baillie again heading the poll with 25 votes, and Mr Rigg coming next with 17: The objectionable element being thus disposed of Captain Baillie (who is in his seventy-fourth year, and suffers from defective eyesight and .hearing), took the floor with the intention of withdrawing his name, an understanding to that effect having been previously arrived at, but the Speaker thinking the honourable gentleman was intent on prematurely, re turning thanks for his election without the final ballot taking place declined .to hear him; Thereupon the Hon J. Rigg, who had not solicited uhe position, and had only consented to being put forward in order/'to keep Mr Smith out. asked his friends to vote for the late Chairman, and Captain Baillie was once more chosen the Council's. Chairman. . CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES. Mr Houston has been re-elected chairman of the Native Affairs - Committee, Mr R. M'Kenzie chairman, of the Railways Committer, Mr Graham of Local Bills, and Mr Symes of A to L Petitions. THE ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE. Th 6 supporters of the Elective Executive Bill are sanguine of being able to • carry tha't measure through this session. They, take considerable, heart of grace from the cordial support which, was accorded tie Referendum Bill. THE OPPOSITION. A of the Opposition was held this forenoon. The greatest secrecy is preserved, these present saying that they were strictly enjoined not to disclose anything. They say, curiously enough, that it had nothing to do with proceedings' in the House. A suspicion is entertained that some unexpected move will be proposed at an early date. " [Feom Our Correspondent.] THE CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION ACT. The main object,of the Bill for amending tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act ;s to put Trades Unions in the place in which they ought to have been from the first, but 'from which they were excluded by an oversight in th© codifying Act of last year. Trade Unions are to be on the same position, in fact, as Industrial Unions, without the necessity of registering as such. They are to be, therefore, in future, parties to industrial agreements under Section 24 of the principal. Act, and) joined as parties under Section 87. They are to be bound by the awards under Section 86 and by the extension of awards under Section 88. For the rest foreign companies may bo registered as Industrial Unions when doing business in New Zealand, through agents acting under power of attorney, but no counsel or solicitor may be employed, " whether acting under power of attorney or otherwise." Section 100 is-extended' so as to give further protection to workers by inserting the words "or anything preliminary to the reference cf iJho dispute- and connectedl therewith," and' provision is made for the cancellation of the. registration of defunct Unions. A SUBSIDY. Mr Meredith, I learned to-day, has obtained a promise from the Premier that a sum of money will be placed on the Estimates for .the Waimakariri bridge by way of £ for £ subsidy to the contributions of the local bodies.