POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13873, 6 October 1908, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

COMMITTEES' REPORTS. COUNCIL'S LENGTHY SITTING. {BY iuA —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. , The House, shortly after meeting this afternoon, commenced a discussion regard--1 ing the Woodward-street transaction, a Wellington question that has lately occu- ■ ' pied a considerable share of local-atten-tion. When this question had been disposed of the report of the special committee set up early in the session in connection with the proposed scheme for the future rebuilding of Parliament House was ".' debated. This discussion took up the re- ' jnainder of the sitting. The Legislative Council held a lengthy sitting, commencing at 11 am. and finishing 40 minutes after midnight. The. Arbitration Bill was under discussion the whole afternoon and evening. END OF THE SESSION. It. is understood that the Government are desirous of bringing the session to a close on Friday or Saturday, but a number of members are still of opinion that the end cannot be reached this week. BETTER .LATE THAN NEVER! The member for the Western Maori district, Mr. Henare Kaihau, took his seat in the House to-day for the first time this session. He also attended a meeting of the Native Affairs Committee this morning. Mr. Mahuta, i M.L.C., who has also just made his first appearance this session was present in the I ;, Upper Chamber. The introduction of the Native Land Bill is supposed to be responsible foi the appearance of these two ' legislators. THE MEDICAL, DISPUTE. The following question will be put to the Prime Minister on Wednesday, by Mr. Stallworthy :—" Whether, in view of the British Medical Association having boycotted members of l heir own profession who have been serving the friendly societies at fair and reasonable cost, as reported by Press Association message from Auckland, he will take what steps are necessary to protect the members of friendly societies in their humane efforts on behalf of the i>ick and distressed?" THE MUSICIANS BILL. The Education Committee has recommended that the Musicians Bill be allowed • to proceed as amended. Several altera- ] tions have been made in the measure. The j Nelson Professional Musicians' Association! :; has been added to the incorporated societies. Clause 8, making Wellington the headquarter* of the society, has been struck out, and the following added, "The 1 society shall at all times have a. registered office in the city of Wellington, and notice of the situation thereof, and of any change in the situation, shall be given by the .-■■ council tr the registrar of companies, and shall be registered by him." For any default under this section, a fine, not exceeding Is per member of the council for every day of default, is leviable. An important clause has also been added, rendering ■ it lawful -for the 'council to make Arrangements with the New Zealand University to conduct all or any of the examinations prescribed by regulation of the council, and ■, jrenderint, it optional for tne council to recognise any of the universities' examinations for the degree of bachelor of music. ALTERATION OF TIME BILL. The Extension of Commerce Committee, reporting on the Alteration of Time Bill, stated that after examining Mr. Hudson it considered that the Bill involved a question of importance *o the country, and in view of the approaching end of the session it should, be held over for future consideration. Mr. Izard said the Bill would be further gone into, and important evidence taken, next year.