The Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1896. NOTES AND NOTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5686, 3 October 1896, Page 4

The Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1896. NOTES AND NOTIONS.

o One of the most satisfactory items that has yet come to hand with regard to the Turkish crisis appears in this morning's cable news. We were hopeful that the Czar's visit to England would be productive of important diplomatic developments on a thoroughly friendly basis, and it seems as though the hope may in some measure be realised. According to the London Standard " the foundation is now laid for Russia and England to join in insisting upon reforms in Turkey." That is exceedingly good news, so far as it goes. It only needs the consummation thereof for ,"The Man of Blood" to be speedily brought to his senses. As will be seen by a 'precis that appears in this issue, Mr Collins made a thoroughly characteristic speech on the motion for the third reading of the Alcoholic Liquors Bill. That is to say, it was thoroughly straightforward, evidencing honesty of purpose in every sentence, and making his position perfectly clear. Though, as is well known, he is an abstainer, he does not believe in absolute prohibition one little bit, holding that the proposed remedy would be productive of effects that the country would find reason to regret. Yet he voted for the third reading of the Bill. That vote was an outcome of the compromise arrived at between the stonewallers and the advocates of the measure, and was conditional upon the "bare majority" principle being abandoned. So far as Mr Collins is concerned, it is a perfectly consistent and satisfactory explanation. The Lords of the New Zealand Legislature were evidently " too previous " in their action with regard to the Bill amending the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act. On Thursday they " put the knife " into the Government by adopting a new clause prepared by the Hori J. M'Gregor, providing that hereafter there shall be no creation of stock or issuing of debentures against sinking funds. We do not like the "seizure" process that is at present sanctioned by , law, but that is not the point. The point is this: Had the Council the power to make such a proviso ? This crucial question came into prominence yesterday, Mr Speaker being appealed to as to whether the Council had not improperly introduced a " money clause " and interfered with the finances of the country. It is a question that needs a carefully considered answer, and the Speaker's ruling was held over till Monday. The last days of the last session of the present Parliament are with us, and almost before it is realised tlinre will be a dissolution by effluxion of time. Therefore, even at' the risk of being thought guilty of wearisome reiteration, we again urge the imperative necessity for immediate action in the registration of votes. The privilege of recording one's vote is worth taking some small amount of trouble about. But the trouble has been reduced to a minimum. Those who know that by neglecting to vote they nave disfranchised themselves, and those who are in any sort of doubt, have only to call at the office of the Registrar, Mr L. C. Williams, in Hobbs's Buildings, Cathedral Square, and whatever needs to be done will be done promptly. The Conservatives are straining every nerve to secure tho complete registration of their party, and it will be worse than foolish if the Liberals do not make sure that their full strength is arrayed for the fight. Mrs Cunnington writes to us relative to the Royal clemency petition that she has taken in hand, and wo will let her letter speak for itself. It is as follows : — "I was much disappointed that so few working men came to our Royal clemency petition meeting held in the Art Gallery on Thursday. I feel sure that they will help all they can in this work of mercy and pity if only they are convinced that there is reason and true justice in the matter. Therefore I want to get face to face with the men and to tell them my story. If they cannot come to me I will go to them. I hope to hold a large meeting for working men and women in Sydenham next week, and will jkdvertise the same." According to a North Island contemporary, the enterprising and irrepressible Captain William Jackson Barry has a new book in the press which will shortly be launched upon an eagerly expectant world. Its title will be " New Zealand Past and Present: and Men of the Time." And then the journal in question goes- on to xe■marfc*—(*The Cajxtanr's Etega^y ptjteis

unique, and this with his reputation for veracity should render his work perhap3 interesting, but at anyrate amusing. He informs us that already he has a list of over 500 subscribers."