POLITICAt NOTES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11644, 23 August 1905, Page 5

POLITICAt NOTES.

(From our Parliamentary Special) (By Telegraph). ■ WELLINGTON; August 23. A MYSTERY.

Secret documents appear to be in the air just now. - Before the ' Mataongaonga delegates appeared at .the. meeting of the Locals .Bills Committee, Mr Remington informed them that he had a petition" against -the Bill, signed by most of theLong Acre settlers. In view- of the fact; that the Long' Acre opposition had been, * withdrawn, this roused the delegates -.'curi-; osity, and they asked, to see the document. Mr Remington pulled it out of- his pocket, but immediately put it back again, saying he would only produce it before the Committee. The delegates; however,- saw enough to rouse a shrewd suspicion that it had been typed on the typewriter used in the Board's office. As the Board never authorised the preparation of such ' a document, • possibly more will be heard of the matter. Mr Remington did not mention. \ the position to the Committee, and both Messrs Neilson and McGregor, in answer to - the Chairman, stated -they had no petition with them.

SHOPS AND OFFICES BILL.

Speculation is rife in the lobbies as to what will be the, fate of the Shops and Offices Bill. It is by some members regarded -> as likely that the Premier will- discard the whole Bill in favour of one clause fixing the hours of work for shop assistants, and refuse to accept the amendments proposed in the Bill by the Labour Bills Committee. That course would probably be accepted by. the majority of members of the House, - but would not in all probability be agreed to by the Legislative Council, which, waa responsible for the early closing provisions now in existence. Mr Arnold, Chairman of the. Labour Bills Committee, has given notice to move a new clause practically re> enacting section 3 of the principal Act, . but allowing, chemists, . hairdressers, and tobacconists to keep open till 8 p.m. on four days of the week, and exempting alto- ; gether bakers, confectioners, dairy shops, fishmongers, florists, and fruiterers. This also is not likely to be generally accept- » able, and the. opinion is gaining ground' that it is quite, on the cards that no amendment of the Shops and Offices Act' will be passed this session. * WASTE LAND— A USEFUL SUGGES- - TION. Mr Ell has given notice to ask the Minister of Lands whether he will take steps to have the strip of land (stated to be about two miles wide, and the property of the Government) on the coastr line between the Turakina and Rangitikei Rivers, which is reported to be let at £d per acre for grazing, but is stated to be of little use for that purpose, handed over to the State Forest Department, in order that it may be planted .with timber trees.