POLITICAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16328, 26 August 1913, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August 25. POLICY BILLS. Nine weeks of the session have goal by but the most important, items on the Government's legislative programme are not ready for discussion outside the Cabinet room. The Land Bill, though said to be drafted, is to take its turn after the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, which is now being finally considered and, according to tho Prime Minister, will be made public at tho end of this week. A consolidation and amendment of the Land Settlement Finance Act with the object of simplifying the process qf settlement under this method is almost ready for circulating. The House will be concerned tomorrow with a further batch of Mr Herdman's legal Bills not involving policy questions, while an Imprest Bill is due at the end of the week. THE LEADERSHIP.. The situation regarding the Opposition leadership is in the same indeterminate state as when on Frida? last the executive of the party offered the box seat on the Liberal coach Tri Sir Joseph Ward. Koreros have been held to discuss the pros and cons and the prospects of battle weighed, but the man to whom the great bulk of the Liborals are looking as the only one who can at the present moment raise the standard with any large hope of ultimate success remains silent. Ae a matter of venture it is highly probable that Sir Joseph will continue silent for at least some days, it may bo a week or two yet- If Sir Joseph accedes to the wishes of his old followers and stops into the breach it is believed many little lines of cleavage may be welded and a compact body of tho old Liberal guard be formed for an effective assault on the joints in the armour of Reform.