POLITICAL JNOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7233, 21 October 1901, Page 3

POLITICAL JNOTES.

[From Our ConitEsroxDEXT.] WELLINGTON, Oct. 21. THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. Ministers -were in Cabinet till midnight considering the details n.f the Public Works Statement, which is to be brought down this week. The Statement and the Estimates will bo brought clown to-morrow night, and it is intended to take the debato on Friday. THE LICENSING BILL. The Premier is consulting the members of both the Prohibition Party an-d the friends of the liquor trade, with a vieAv of having Ilia Licensing Bill passed in a form, acceptable to both parties. The defects which have been found to exist in. the present law, such tis reducing the quorum of committees, prevention of licenses being shifted to premises more than a quarter I of a mile distant, the bringing of clubs under the Licensing Act. and the giving to 11 Magistrate discretionary powers with regard to endorsements are the object? which Mr Seddon swys he - must legislate | on. | TEACHERS' SALARIES. | Tie Public School Teachers' Salaries Bill, which is an outcome of ;tho report of the Royal Commission, will be passed this session. The Premier says he was misunderstood to say that-, lie only intended to take the second reading? THE SESSIONAL PROGRAMME. The State Coalmine Bill is also to be gone on with, and also the Payment erf Members Bill, and th-s Loan Bill. The Premier s«iys 'tlvat if members will apply themselves to work there is no reason why I the session should not I>2 concluded by the firjit .week in November. He hopes that he will bs present at the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastcral Association's show on Nov. 8. CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION. I understand ■•that an important amendment has bsen made in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment. Bill by the Labour Bills Committee ot the Legislative ,Cou:icil, which has struck out Clans© 6, allowing special Beards to be constituted to meet any ua.?e of industrial dispute. The clause inserted in the House, on Mr Willis's motion, allowing either party to take a dispute direct to the Arbitration Court has, however, been retained. This clause was strongly oppore-d in the Hotk<o by the Premier, who dzclared- that it meant the abolition of Conciliation Boards.