POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14837, 1 December 1913, Page 9

POLITICAL NOTES.

..-,'■ .-: : -(spkcxu, to *___r psess.'')- •'• _.oven___- 30.. ; g; ;..V, > MC-_^__NG i .Bl_L.' ! : -v, ''• ; A definite announcement in regard>to y;Jhe Licensing Bill was expected to fol--ooyr upon a■ meetihgv 0 f Cabinet on | Saturday,. but no announcement was .made, and it remains doubtful iwhether i; ;the Bill -will introduced this:session year. The question largely 'depends upon tho rate of progress made ojy (the House during the next week 'or :i two. and it is still quite possible that the ;?;Bill* may ,be brought down beforo the .:./'sossion ends. The Bill, when it does \: ? _siw_iy ; is expected to provide for a . redaction to 55 per cent, of the maio-;o*r|ty-required to carry national prohibition; possibly, also, it may contain pro;£*isio_s definitely establishing the illegality of .employing unregistered ■» bar- ".' .maids in private bare. '■..-.■.; ■ V;f I*;:;.;•..';:*;-■' BEER -DUTY;'.- '';■ '.\-.'"\ .'•;'' ..:.' -'f- Sam. prominent members oh the Geyteriudent side of tho House are frankly : disappointed at* tl_v non-appearanc* so Far of a measure to double the present ':, beer duty^of. threepence ;per gallon. It is hold by these members that, the increase.would ho borne wholly by. the . brewers and vendors, of beer, anawould not he passed on to: the consumer. The amount which the revenue would gain would bo about £120,000. .H01..J, A.MILLAR; ' .'> It is understood that the Hon. J. A. >Cllar,f.at ; _he:end of tK. present session or Parliament, intends to take up bis r»_ donee in Auckland.