Parliamentary Rotes

Southland Times, Issue 10201, 5 July 1889, Page 2

Parliamentary Rotes

[Br Telegbaph.] (tfROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, July 4. The full text of the' correspondence be* tweeu Mr Fisher and the Premier- with reference to his leaving the Ministry occupies about twenty columns of the N.Z. Times. The Premier's chief reply to Mr Fisher is considered to be most crushing in character. There seems to be an opinion in the -lobbies that as both sides have been heard it will be the best policy to let the matter drop. Mr B. H. Beeves is reviving his agitation to impose an import duty on coal, and so far he is receiving good support. The question of payment of coroner's juries is such a large one that the Government do not feel justified in opening up legislation this session though they are sensible of the hardships which are at present inflicted. Some steps are to be taken by Parliament to remedy the unsound state of those friendfy societies whose condition was adversely criticised by the Registrar last week in a report which has caused a good deal of consternation amongst those concerned; Mr Goldie broached the subject in the House yesterday, and was informed by the Premier that the Government are having a bill prepared dealing with the snbject. The question was, however, one of such difficulty that he intended to move for a Select Committee to advise the Government in. reference to it. The Minister for Defence was quite indignant when he was taxed with having^a military display on his arrival at Queenstown. He denied that his friends had arranged a demonstration for him on the occasion. « The Government announce that they have no intention of proposing any amendment of the Gaming and Lotteries Act this session or attempting to regulate :or abolish the use of totalisators. The local option question is to be raised by Mr Fulton moving — " That whereas the enormous direct expenditure on intoxicating liquors in this colony, amounting annually to more than two millions sterling, contributes largely to the existing depression, adds materially to crime and poverty, and reduces the -capital available for repro* ductive labour; and whereas the people, under the existing law, are powerless to remove the principal cause of these evils, it is in the opinion of this House imperative that the Government should without delay introduce a bill giving power to people by direct vote at the ballot box, periodically taken, to prohibit the sale of such liquors within the district in which they reside."