Political Notes and Comments

Southland Times, Issue 13281, 6 August 1895, Page 3

Political Notes and Comments

[By Telegraph.] (from our own correspondent.) Wellington, Aug. 5. Judge Richmond’s death places another important appointment at the disposal of the Government. A number of possible successors] are: mentioned, amongst them being Sir Patrick Buckley, Mr Reid (Solicitor-General), District Judge Kettle, Mr Guinness (Chairman of Committees), and Mr B. C. Haggitt, the well known Dunedin solicitor. If Sir P. Buckley were to accept the appointment his doing so would clear the way with regard to the AgentGeneralship, which would then be open for Mr Reeves, unless the Premier himself took it for a time for the sake of the rest which the position would afford him. The overwork that Mf Seddon is constantly, and it will be admitted, uncomplainingly grappling with is telling upon him,and it will be impossible for him to keep up the pace with impunity. In the event of his taking the Agent-General-ship Mr Ward would as a matter of course become Premier. However, those who know Sir Patrick very . well say that he is unlikely to accept the vacant judgeship, even if his colleagues offer it to him. The Betterments Bill of last year is being reintroduced by Mr Cadman. It provides that from and after its commencement (should it become law) “ the construction of a railway shall not be authorised until and unless the proposal to construct the same has been affirmed at a poll of all the owners of private lands within the betterment area of the proposed railway.” Mr McNab’s moderation in introducing the temperance party’s licensing bill last week has apparently changed the temper of members generally with regard to the licensing question. A spirit of reasonable compromise prevails with regard to the subject, and I believe the Government’s bill will be amended in committee so as to give all voters tho right of voting for any three of the four issues. This would enable the temperance people to carry reduction where prohibition may be out of the case. Mr Collins is introducing a bill to provide that from and after the date of its coming into force everyone who commits murder shall upon conviction thereof be sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for the full term of his or her natural life.

The Agricultural Conference is likely to be held here about the end of the present month and the Department is now inviting representatives to meet here before then with a view to drawing up a provisional programme for the conference. It is believed that the conference will endeavour to formulate a scheme for the better disposal of New Zealand produce in Great Britain.