Political JOTTINGS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 10655, 2 July 1896, Page 2

Political JOTTINGS.

CONTEMPORARY OPINIONS.

A deputation from the anti-Chineae League waited on ihe Premier on Wednesday evening and laid beEore him resolutions passed at their meeting, protesting against the action of the Legislative Council in rejecting the Asiatic Restriction Bill, and urging that the Chamber be abolished altogether. The deputation said it was time something was done to restrict the power of the Council, so that some measures of reform might be placed on the statute book. Mr Seddon, in reply, said for the past six years the representatives of the people had been fighting a few people with interests antagonistic to the well-being and welfare of the majority of the residents of the colony. He was prepared to see whether this country was to be governed by the people or by a selfish few. IHo was not going to recede from the position which he believed to be in the interest of the peoplo, and believed the true solution of tho difficulty was to put an end to the Upper House. The bill having been thrown out could not be again brought in this session, but it Beemed to him clear there was to be a struggle whether the people, or a dominant few should rule. He had no wish to bring about a conflict, but he was going either to put thp council in touch with the people, or put it out of existence altogether.

At a meeting of the Southern Cross Society the Domestic Servants Halfholiday Bill was adversely discussed, and a resolution, moved by Lady Stout, was carried unanimously— "That this Society, approving of a half -Holiday for domestic servants, consider that the Bill brought in by Mr Kelly is quite unworkable and would not be beneficial for servants, and the majority of servants do not desire it." The Society declined to endorse the resolution passed at the Women's Convention, Cbristchurch, emphasising .the existence of sweating, as it had no absolute evidence that sweating existed. Resolutions were carried :— (1) Equal condition for divorce ; (2) amendment in the system of charitable aid distribution, and that woman should seek election to boards ; (3) Bgainst Party Government, and in favour of an Elective Executive and the Referendum ; (4) in favour of extending technical education and maintaining the piesent system of secular and compulsory education; (5) police reform; (6) removal of the disabilities of women. The meeting also agreed with the principal of old age penions, and that reform in the Upper House was necessary.

Mr John Edie, surveyor, has been requested to contest Clutha seat at the general election, and is expected to consent. Mr J. S. Fleming, of the Clutha Leader, is definitely in the field. Both are prohibitionists.

Members of the Amateur Opera Club are making rapid progress is the practice of Dorothy. Tho parts were cast on Tuesday night, and full rehearsals will now be held.

The vital statistics «f the Borough of New Plymouth for the month of June are as follows :— Births, 24; marriages, 12 : deaths, 9.

The Dunedin City Licensing Committee has granted all applications for bottle licenses, except in one instance. The holders of bottle licenses were rofused wholesale licenses.

The Opunake Times records the death of Mr R. H. Seccombe, of Opunake. Deceased was thirty-sevon years of age, and leaves a widow and four young children to mourn their loss.

The Rev Canon Haselden will deliver a lecture on "The Bible" at St Mary's Schoolroom on Friday evening. The lecture will be illustrated by a number of lantern views. Proceeds in aid of St Mary's organ fund,

The rainfall at Wellington for June was six inches, which is slightly above the average 'for the month, but three and a half inches below June last year. So far the winter . has been very mild with a noticeable absence of wind.

A new institution in town is the Fiji Band, On Tuesday night the Baud serenaded the residents of the east end, and to-day (Thursday) they accompanied the Star 11. football team to Inglewood, for the purpose, no doubt, of urging the Star boys to perform' deeds of valor by their inspiriting music.

The public are reminded of the entertainment to be held in the Catholic Schoolroom to-night. Those taking part had a capital rehearsal on Wednesday night. The choruses will be a special feature of the entertainment. , The programme appears in this issue.

Messrs White & Carter's sale, which commences on Wednesday next, the Bth inst., will probably be on a larger scale than any previous sale in Taranaki. The stock is a large one, and comprises all classes of drapery, clothing, furnishing materials, and fancy goods. Et cry article in stock will be marked down.

The Gymnasium Club Committee has decided to have an " open night" at their practice to-morrow evening, and they invite tho public, especially ladies, to attend and witness the performance of tho various exercises a3 taught by Mr Tankard, instructor of the gymnasium. We trust that a large number of people will avail themselves of this opportunity of seeing tho Club working.

The High School Board met on Wednesday. Present : Messrs Bewley, Fookes, Dockrill, and Captain Cornwall. The resolution of April 18th refusing to grant the petition of the Onaero tenants was recorded. Mr Fookes pursuant to notice of motion, moved in effect, That surrenders of leases be accepted from the Onaero tenants, and that new leases be granted with covenants lor renewal to compensation for improvements. The Board decided to place 475 acres at Mimi, and 32p at Ngatimaru in the market. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs N. K. McDiarmid and 0. F. Riohmond.