POLITICAL NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 5289, 24 August 1905, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

(From our own correspondent). (By Telegraph). WELLINGTON, Aug. 22. A NEW LAND POLICY. The hrst Government party caucus of the session w r as held this morning,-; 3d members being present and six absentees from Wellington accounted for. The question of land legislation, was the main topic of consideration) and a resolution to support the Government on certain proposals to be submitted to the House was unanimously agreed to. !

When the House met this; afternoon the Premier gave notice of a long motion indicating that -the Government policy on the. land question would bo in the direction of throwing all Crown lands open on the optional system; repealing the lease in perpetuity, and substituting for it a lease of between 50 and 99 years with rignt of renewal ; representation of Crown tenants on the land boards and limitation of area of freehold to 5000 acres of first class land and 10,000 acres second class land. The Premier gave notice to move to-morrow that tiie House resolve itself into committee to discuss the report of the l.and Commission. Mr Seddon hopes to commence the debate on his motion on Tuesday. In reference to the acquisition of

RDDDENKLAUS ESTATE at Rangitata, Mr Elatman has been again urging Govcrqment to purchase it, and the Board have again inspected the There is still, however, something Over 30/ per acre difference between owner’s value and the amount which the Government is prepared to give and it is feared the land w-ill not be purchased unless the owners of property are prepared to meet the Government in the matter of price.

MAIL SERVICE. Replying to Sir AV. Steward to-day Sir J. G. AVard stated that it was intended to arrange some weekly mail service between the Caro and Canning ton and Motuhiaka to starting point on a regular time table. RAILAVAY AVORKSHOPS. in reply to Air Flatman, Sir J. G. Ward stated it is not proposed to increase the number of railway workshops in the South Island, but if it is so decided, the suitability of . Temuka will be fully considered.

SLY-GROG. Replying to Mr McLachlan, the Minister of Justice stated that the report in the Lyttelton Times alleging that sly-grog selling was prevalent in Auckland was noted, but that the accuracy of the statement was much doubted, in view of the secrecy adopted by slygrog sellers to prevent detection after -1! convictions in 1903 had been recorded against them. It was untrue and unjust to say that sly-grog selling was carried on openly as alleged. In reference to Air AYesley Spragg’s accusation that drunkenness among the young men was increasing in Auckland which accusation was based upon , a census taken by the Temperance League in I hat city on the 10th of September last, the Hon. Air AlcGowan stated that on the date in question only .11 persons were arrested for drunkenness aud.no arrests wore made on the Sunday following, either in the city or suburbs. He further stated that from general observation it is believed that drunkenness amongst the young men of New Zealand is increasing.

There were according to the police report presented to the House 109 prosecutions during the year for sly-grog selling, resulting in 111 convictions against 21G prosecutions and IGI conf vfetions during preceding year. The decrease does not necessarily indicate decrease in the number of law breakers, but rather that more secrecy is observed. Fines imposed on sly-grog sellers during 1901 amounted to £1584 as against £947 in 1593, but a number of those prosecuted in 1893 were scut to gaol without the option of a fine. The cost of detection last year

was £1383. . „ _ r The o)it' operative clause in Mr AicGowan’s o(Tensive Publication Bill is in effect that mere ignorance of the nature of publication is not excusable.