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New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5757, 30 April 1880, Page 4

Oan correspondent at Wellington "ives us some valuable information in respect to the Government measures now being prepared to be laid before the House when it meets on the 28th of Jfay Ministers seem determined that the House shall not be tempted to do political mischief for want of wholesome legislative work. Some twenty or thirty Bills are in the hands of the printers including consolidation Bills and some measures dropped last session. We are this session to have Bills on the Regulation of Elections, Election Petitions Corrupt Practices Prevention, Hospitals and Charitable Aid, Licensing, and a Representation Bill. The last is likely tobe the most difficult to " engineer" through the House, as it deals with the re-distribution question. Sir George Grey's proposals would have decided this matter by the census return and simple arithmetic, but the new BiU is not to take population as its sole basis, but "various circumstances inseparably associated with the question of just representation." Our correspondent makes the very safe statement that "it is not supposed or hoped that everyone can be satisfied." We venture to say, that when the Bill is brought down, an immediate " free fight" will ensue. One pariy will have its interest to secure against the other, one island against the other, and each district for itself, while the most unholy alliances will be formed. The new Licensing Bill is to consist of 230 clauses, and this will open up a field of declamation for-Good Templars, and of lobbying for the beer interest. The Ministry do not intend, apparently, to circulate any of the bills before the meeting of the House, it having been found by experience that this materially contributes to their defeat, it being always easier to find out defects than excellencies.