POLITICAL NOTES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11973, 17 September 1906, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES.

(From Our Parliamentary Special). (By Telegraph.) IN COMMITTEE. WELLINGTON, September 17. Practically the whole of Friday's sitting was devoted to consideration of the Estimates, and the House was compelled to listen to the usual procession of parochial grievances. Mr Roderick McKenzie is not a good Chairman, and Messrs Wilford and Baume, the former especially, seemed to have set out on a "roasting" process. At times Mr McKenzie exhibits the sternest truculence, and when he represses members with the bludgeon of command he is certainly exceeding his authority. At one time on Friday evening things grew bo peaceful that the Chairman went to sleep, and had to be awakened. The disturbing member gently apologised for "breaking in upon your rest, sir," and amidst a merry chorus of laughter, Mr McKenzie struggled to find the place. Later on, however, a violent storm arose over one of the Chairman's rulings, and the Leader of the Opposition defeated the Government by four votes (28 to 24) on a motion to consult Mr Speaker. Mr Maesey was up held in his contentions regarding the properprocedure, and after this skirmish the Bouse adjourned. BELLAMY'S REGULATION. The Bellamy's Bill, introduced in the Legislative Council by the Hon. R. H. J. Reeves, provides that liquor may be 6old in Bellamy's at any time during the sitting of Parliament, but that no liquor can be sold one hour subsequent to the rising of the House of Representatives. Liquor, it is further provided, may be sold on any Saturday or Monday, whether the House is sitting or not, but no liquor can be sold between the hours of 11 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. on Monday. At present the sale of liquor in Bellamy's is governed by ordinary licensing regulations; that is to say, liquor can only be sold up to 10 p.m.