POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9008, 15 August 1907, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

[From Otjr Cobbesfoneent.] WELLINGTON, August 1.. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM. The attitude of the Legislative Council towards Sir William Steward's Legislative Council Election Bill will be watched with very considerable interest. There seems to be some doubt at present whether any councillor will be willing to take up the measure as, though t___ . are some reformers amongst the "Lords," not one seems to favour a system of election by the House of Representatives. The proposal to make women eligible for seats in the Council gives the Upper House a knotty problem with Which to deal. Probably the Bill will be thrown out heavily on its second reading. RAILWAY MEN'S GRIEVANCES. A deputation consisting of about thirty members of Parliament had a lengtny interview with the Premier this morning in regard to the grievances of railway men. These grievances have figured largely in the debate during the session, and the Premier had promised to listen to members' views. Yesterday a committee prepared a schedule of the changes that it was suggested should be made. The Press was not admitted to the deputation to-day, but the chief pointy in the Premier'- repJy were statements that it was intended to prepare . fresh classification of the railway servants, and also to> separate the railway workshops from the general railway service. Both these reforms have been urged for a long time. THE TOTALISATOR. During the session petitions have been presented to the House almost daily praying that the legalisation of the totalisator should be continued, as at present! This afternoon the Reform Party will make its voice heard by means of a petition fro-m all parte of the colony, bearing some 36,000 names. The idea of _ deluging tlie Government with the petitions on ono day is quite unusual.