PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Northern Advocate, 8 September 1913, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

A GOVERNMENT CAUCUS

A SATISFACTORY LAND BILL.

(From Our Special Representative.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 8. A Government caucus was held on Saturday. All members of the party were present or accounted for. Three important proposals were considered —the new Land Bill, the demand for the reduction of the three-fifths licensing majority and the referendum ■on the Bible in schools question. The official report of the caucus is that "The Land Bill was received with high satisfaction, and it is believed by Ministerial supporters that the measure will be acclaimed by both the House and country when produced next week as being one of the finest Land Bills ever brought down. "The licensing question was freely •_ discussed. "Concerning the referendum on Bible in schools, members expressed themselves in thorough accord with the Ministerial replies to a recent deputation, agreeing that the time was inopportune for legislation. "It was decided by the caucus that the Government's programme should be completed this session even at the expense of exceeding the usual time limit." It is freely stated regarding the licensing question that the Government will not ask its supporters to deviate from any platform pledges.