THE SESSION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 884, 2 August 1910, Page 5

THE SESSION.

LIQUOR BILL TO BE INTRODUCED. MORE ABOUT TAMMANYISM. WHO WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES? When tho House resumes this afternoon tho debate on the Budget will be continued. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), who is returning from Auckland, will be absent during the early portion of the afternoon sitting. To-morrow the sittings of the Legislative Council will be. resumed. After reference has been made to the death of ..le Hon. U. Scotland, there will be an adjournment out of respect for his memory until next day. LICENSING" LEGISLATION EXPECTED. It is now practically certain that a Licensing Bill will be introduced by the Government this, session.. Some weeks ago (it will be remembered) a deputation representing the No-License Conference waited upon tho Prime Minister. In reply, Sir Josoph stated that the question was under the .consideration of the Government, but ho would not be able to giro a definite reply as to the intentions of the Government for some time. In the meantime the "Trade" has not oeca inactive/ for only .a. few days ago an influential deputation, representing the brewing interests particularly,-had a lengthy private interview with the Premier. Nothing official has transpired as to the nature of the Bill, but it is reported on good authority that it mil be to some extent .on, .the lines of the famous "compromise" proposed last ses-' sion by Dr. Kndlay, after a conference with representatives of■ both parties...lt is note .'that it was.the. intention of the No-License party, in the event of further delay on the part of the Government.-iti making, its ■ intentions' known, to proceed with, the drafting of as own measure.THE "TAMMANYISM" CON.TROVERSY. More is to bo heard in tho House with reference to the "controversy between Mr. Massey and Ministers on the subject of "Tainmauyisin." Speaking to a Dominion reporter yesterday, Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, stated that hejtook it that.part of the "Tammany" theory was the use. of-public money by those in office directly or indirectly for party purposes. ' Everybody would.,' remember Sir. Wright's motion in tho House last session—"That" in the opinion of this House Government advertisements should bo. supplied to newspapers regardless of their political convictions ■ and J only: with a view to securing the best'returns to the taxpayers for. tho money, so expended.". On that occasion he. (Mr. Massey) said that .what members were ■. asked to say. by the motion was that the thin end of the wedge of Tamraanyism should not be allowed to be introduced into the management of the public affairs of this country. Whilst speaking at Tauniarunui just before the opening of the current session he had referred to the deplorable fact, that ,35 members, led by tho Prime Minister, had voted against the principles contained in that motion. Continuing his remarks he had declared that he had seen more indications of that phase of Tammanyism last session than ho had over noticed . previously. "And I think," • continued Mr. Massey, "that any right-thinking person who rends the motion , and .remembers that-a majority of members voted against it. will agree with me. Now that Ministers have seen St to revive the subject I will take care toinako the.position clear." , MR. DAVEY AND THE CHAIRMAN- .'■■-■■.. SHIP. Deports current in'tho lobbies yesterday lend colour to tho unofficial announce-ment-in yesterday's issue that ultimately the Government,will, be.;found/giving.its support in connection'with the election of Chairman of Committees of tho House to a Ministerialist as yot.unnominated.: It is clear, in view of tho strong' feeling prevailing, that if cither Mr. Davey or Sir William Steward wore defeated the staunchest supporters of the loser would then cast their votes in favour/ of Mr. Fraser. According to report in usually well-informed, political. circles yesterday, Mr. Davey' has now. decided to withdraw from tho contest. Sir William- Steward, however, is not to be given the support, of the Government party'. The question as to who will'be tho Government.nominee will (it is further reported) be settled later;in the week. , ' . . ) "' . . ■' .■•■•■ ■> HARBOUR BOARD REPRESENTA- ■ :, ■ , '. •■- TION. Notice has been given by Mr. Laurenson to move in ; committee tho following new clause in tho Harbours Amendment Bill: "In the case,, o£ a harbour -board, any* of the members of which are elected by the payers of dues, there shall, if a duly registered industrial union of waterside workers exists in tho main port under the jurisdiction of the board, ,be also a member elected by the members of that union, and t.he member so elected shall bo in addition to tho members provided for in tho Act." LONGEVITY OF COLONIAL POLITICIANS. A..good deal of interest was recently occasioned by some figures.compiled by Mr. Jennings, M.P., with reference to the longevity of New Zealand legislators. With a view;of showing the nerve-wrack-ing effect of colonial political life, -the matter has since been taken up. in Australia. Tho "Age" recently stated that of the 50 delegates who attended the Federal Conventions in 1897-8 only %\ entered the first Federal Parliament in 1901. Of, the present Parliament-only eight of them are - now"members. No fewer than four of tho original delegates nro dead. Only two were set-aside by tho electors.,- Among the-rank, and, file changes have been even greater. Of the 36 original members of .the Senate only 13 are left. Of the 75 members"of" the' first Federal Parliament, only 31 are still in the Houso. " "Ten years ago," adds tho "Age," "Mr. Deakin had' black glossy; hair. Mr. Fisher,, now white-head-ed with care, I looked like a. boy. ...The yonng men of 1901 are the tired, harassed greybeards of .1910." '-.-