POLITICAL NOTES AND NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12401, 24 October 1903, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES AND NEWS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington. Friday. THE LICENSING BILL. An indication of the stormy time which is ahead if an attempt is made to deal with, the Licensing Bill this session was given when the House met to-day. Messrs. Ell, Taylor, McLachlan, Bedford, Fowlds, Mander, and Tanner all gave notice of their intention to move amendments or new clauses. Mr. Bedford had a long string of amendments dealing with compensation to " be. paid by the " trade" to persons injured in consequence 01 the actions of drunken, people. Mr. Fowlds had a long amendment against tied houses, and Mr. Mander had an amendment to prohibit the sending of liquor to the King Country. Mr. Taylor intimated his intention of moving that, in addition to mayors and chairmen of county councils, the Premier, the president of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, and the presidents of the Rugby Union football clubs have seats on the licensing committee. He also gave notice of an amendment that the proposed referendum be on the question of annual licensing polls instead of on the question '-of polls -every six years. When _the. ..amendments, .were ..being, .intimated one after the other, Mr. Massey suggested that the Premier had better arrange for a special session to deal with the Bill. The general impression after the Government caucus is that there is no intention to go on with the Licensing Bill this session. The Premier's references to the subject in the caucus are said to have given that impression, and it is significant that this Bill, which is interesting members more than any,other Bill before the House, is not mentioned in the official report as one of the Bills to be pushed on. KING COUNTRY LICENSES. Mr. Jennings presented a petition to-day signed by over 400 residents of the King Country, urging that the time.had arrived when licenses should be granted for Te Kuiti and Otorohanga, and praying that the privilege of voting on the question of license or no license be extended to the King Country as to all other parts of the colony. MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE. Mr. Kirkbride has received intimation from the Premier that the Government has decided to take up the Mutual Fire Insurance Bill as a Government measure. This is certainly a feather in Mr. Kirkbride's cap, as it is a remarkably rare thing for a member in his first session, and especially an Opposition member, to receive such recognition of his legislative efforts. THE 'FRISCO SERVICE. The date of the debate on the ocean mail service proposals has been further postponed. The resolutions will not, as was intended, be brought down on Monday, and the date of their appearance will depend on the progress of events during the week. JOTTINGS. Mr. Moss has given notice to ask the Post-master-General if he will make provision on the Supplementary Estimates for a postal service between Hikutaia and Faithfull and McConnell's bush, in the Thames County. A. return, laid on the table of the House to-day, shows that there are 414,821 acres of native land in the Auckland district and 122,202 acres in the Hawke's Bay district, the titles to which have not yet been ascertained.

Mr. Witheford has given notice to ask the Premier whether, seeing that the Federal Parliament has just passed an address to Lord Tennyson, regretting his departure, and paying a high tribute to his ability and tact, the Government will give this House an opportunity of passing an address expressing the universal feeling of satisfaction at the manner in which His Excellency Lord Ranfurly has discharged the high and responsible duties of his office as Governor of New Zealand.

The meeting of the Government party this morning was not very largely attended, and very little business appears to have been done. The official report of the meeting states that members decided that they would remain and place on the Statute Book all the Bills on the Order Paper, if possible, and that no Bills should be struck off if they remain until Christmas to get on with the business ©f the country. This, of course, is mere " bluff," for after the way the Government, backed by the rank and file of their party, have mismanaged the business this session, the House as a whole will not be in a humour to unduly prolong the session. After the caucus the Government Whips reported that the principal matters that will require consideration will be brought down within a reasonable time. They are: Land Valuation, Land and Income Tax, Public Works Statement, Estimates, mail proposals, Electoral Bill, and Imprisonment for Debt Bill. It was decided unanimously to have the Mutual Fire lusurance Bill placed on the Statute Book.