HOUSE AND LOBBY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3783, 4 July 1899, Page 3

HOUSE AND LOBBY.

CONSOLIDATING THE STATUTES. An attempt is being made by Major Steward Vo do away with the complications of the law caused by the number of amending measures which are passed session after session. He. proposes to introduce a Statutes Consolidation and Printing Bill, which is to provide that when any existing .Act is amended such amendment shall be incorporated with the principal Act, and the whole printed. MR HONE HERE. Nows has at length been received of Mr Hone Heke, whose absence from Parliament had begun to cause some comment. He has communicated with the Opposition Whip, stating he will leave Whangarei for Wellington on Wednesday or Thursday. THE LIBEL BILL. The Libel Bill, of which Mr Carncross has charge in the. House ot Kepresentativcs, has been circulated. Uie measure, which was promoted by the New Zealand Institute of Journalists, makes privileged all fair and accurate reports of court proceedings and public meetings. Provision is also made for tbo Court to make an order for the consolidation of actions brought by the same person against two or more defendants in respect to the same person, and in such consolidated cases the jury is to assess the damages in one sum ant! apportion them among the various defendants. Another clause provides that no prosecution for criminal libel shall be commenced unless an order of a Judge sitting in Chambers lias been first obtained. There is some talk of a hall being held to celebrate the opening of the new library wing of the Parliament Buddings. The project is being received with much favour among members, and there is some prospect of its being carried our. Tlio suggestion has been made that ihe Government should promote a Bi 1 ! to remove the disqualification caused by Lieutenant-Colonel Pitt, lately nominated to the Legislative Council, caused by his having received a Goyernmer.t salary as a volunteer officer within six months prior to his appointment. Mr Hogg is asking the Government to proclaim a close season for native game next year, and to extend the present shooting season until the end ol July. Inquiries are being made by Mr 11. Brown (Taranaki) as to the place where the Government proposes to establish the Dairy School for the North Island. POLITICS IN THE COUNTRY. PRESS ASSOCIATION. PAHIATUA, Monday. As the result of a poll taken by the Opposition League, Mr G. Harold Smith has been selected by a large majority ns Opposition candidate for the Pahiiilua electorate. • ,