POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12446, 1 September 1902, Page 6

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

STATE COAL MINE?. (From Our Own Corukspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 31. A point was made by tho member for Caversham. while' the State Coal Mines Bill was in committee during the early hours of' Saturday morning. The bill was being vigorously opposed by the Opposition and many Government supporters on the ground that it would liave the effect of taking away members' privileges by making appropriations for, the State mines permanent instead of annual. Sir Joseph Ward stated that the course proposed by the bill was necessary, as in 'entering.-'upon ,whiit 'waa a new business it was impossible to provide in the usual way by annual appropriations upon the Estimates for the many unforeseen contingencies that might arise. Mr Sidey thereupon suggested that the operation of the act should be limited to two years so as to give the Government time to get tho State coal mine business fairly started. This suggestion was agreed to by &oth. sides, and what might have proved a much more protracted sitting was shortly afterwards brought to a 'close. ■ HABEAS CORPUS. The Joint Statutes, Revision Committee lias made several ; amendments in the Habeas Corpus Extension Bill, which originated in the Legislative Council. A now sub-clause has been added, providing that a fugitive offender must give notice of appeal against the refusal of the court to discharge him or let him to, bail within 21 days, and in all other cases the notice must bo given within 12 months. • A further provision has been added that no person shall be conveyed out of New Zealand-under "Tho Extradition Act, 1870," and " The Fugitive Offenders Act, 1881," until tho expiration of the period within "which notice of appeal may be given by him under this act, nor where such notice is gWen uaitil after the determination of the appeal.