DAILY NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7817, 29 October 1903, Page 2

DAILY NOTES.

Those political prophets the who predicted that we licensing should hear nothing more of bill. the Licensing Bill this session were wrong^ The second reading of the Bill was set down forlast night, but owing to the length of the previous night's sitting it was postponed until this evening. To-night's debate is certain to repay following. The members of the Opposition have been given a free hand to criticise the Bill according to their individual inclinations, and there is reason to believe that the Government supporters will also be left to their own devices. The •usual party ties will be abandoned' for the time beine, and the result is certain to be vastly interesting. Altogether, indications point to there being a " hot time " in the House to-night. In response to a question .- the asked yesterday in the governor. House of Representatives, ■ the Premier announced l that at the proper time the Government would invite Parliament to express its approval of the work done by his Excellency during his term of office. We have no doubt that the invitation will be gladly accepted. Few Governors have discharged their duties with so much credit to themselves as Lord Ranfurly, and fewer still have done so much solid work for the benefit of the colony. His Excellency has shown that it is possible to make the post of Constitutional Governor not only respected, but appreciated, in even an ultra-democratic community. The near approach of Carcarnival nival Week is already being pests. heralded by the advent of the crowd' of bad characters which make their headquarters in •Christ chui-ch during that period. Last year the police authorities took steps to minimise the invasion, and it is to be hoped that they will adopt a similar course this year. They laid handa on all known undesirables in each of the other centres and kept them under look and key until Carnival Week was over and Christchurch ihad resumed its wonted appearnnee. Their action, if a trifle arbitrary, had a most satisfactory result. Never since Carnival Week attained the dignity of a national festival was the city freer fuom bad characters. The Police Court records bore indisputable testimony to this fact. The rumour that the Exadvertise- tension of Commerce Commext. mittee of the House of Representatives will report unfavourably upon Mr Seddon's meat shops proposal is credited in well-informed/ quarters. For ourselves, we shall not be surprised if the rumour is true. There is a' growing feeling all over the colony that the scheme proposed is unnecessary, and this view lias been encouraged' by the announcement that private enterprise is about to supply iho want which the Premier proposed t<> fulfil. It is understood that the Exfcaiskui vi Commerce Committee will re»

commend a systematic schemio of advertising the colony's products throughout the United Kingdom, and if this suggestion is made we hope Purliuiment -will take steps to give effect, to it.