POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7201, 12 September 1901, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. THE LAND LAWS. Another Meeting of members of the House to <ron«idiC(r the working of the land laws was helidi this morning. It was pointed out that it was absurd to purchase freehold oo the one hand and -aulow evecry possible facility for the disposal of freeho-d on th© other. The report of the Lands and Survey Department .hows that last year 412,042 acres were disposed of as fTeelhold^ or w>ifch the right of purchase, to 1214 persons, while only 97,138 acres were selected by 295 persons under lease in perpetuity. The meeting d-ciictedi to wait on, the Pfremii.r and other mem.bE.r_ of the Oabinet, and to urge the desirability of altering the knd laws so as to prevent a further continuance of thia State of things. WASTING THE COUNTRY'S TIME. Another breach of privilege matter is •likely to occupy the attention of the House this afternoon!. While the member for Ric-ca-ton was yesterday describing to the House what would have happened' had Mr Pitfani, in the Manawjitu " Standard," coim-m-bted a breach of privilege such as the one under dascussion, M& Horoeby and ottheiexdaimed that he had done something worse — evidently referring to the articlepublished _i the " Standard " last year relating to the degradation of Parliament. Mr Russell thereupon challenged: the members to point out any breach of privilege in the Manawatu " Standard." "I accept the challenge," cried Mr Hornsby. It is now stated' that the. mienvb-r for Wairarapa intends to take immediate action. Referring to the article last nright, Ut Fraser (Nap;*,-) stated that it imputed drunken_ess to members of Parltjament, and a stigma 'bad beeo oast o_ every one of them.