POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1873, 6 October 1913, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES.

•THE WEEK'S WORK. DURATION OP THE SESSION. A belief that it is possible for tlio session to terminate by the end of November is growing among members of Parliament, but obviously this will involve a much moro rapid rate of progress than has yet been attained. The Primo 'Minister, when tho subject was mentioned to hirfi yesterday, reiterated his previously expressed conviction that, given freedom from obstruction, tho work of tho session could be disposed of in six weeks from tho present oato. It could be done, he said, without dropping Bills and without curtailing the usual amount of discussion. To-day will witness the first Monday sitting of tlio session. The Houso will meet in tho evening to deal with local Bills. To-morrow tho second-reading dobato upon the Land Bill is to "be resumed. The Native Land Bill will bo introduced this week, read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Native Lands Committee. Tlio Bank of New Zealand Bill may bo reported upon by tho Public Accounts Committee this week. Tho Defamation Bill will now probably he debated upon tho second reading in the ordinary way, and sent to a committee afterwards. On Friday last tho Minister in charge of tlio Bill (tho Hon.. A. L. Herdmau) moved that it he read a second time pro forma and referred to tho Statutes Revision Committee. Exception was taken to this courso by the Opposition,_ and Mr. Hordman did not press tlio point. EX-CONSTABLE SMYTH. Tho petition of ex-Constable Smyth, who was discharged from tho Polico Force for dereliction of duty at Greymouth some while ago, was reported upon by the Petitions Committee of tho House of Representatives on Friday. The Committee reported that they had no recommendation to make. The roport is tho more interesting by reason of tho fact that it was alleged ljy Opposition members of Parliament and others that Smyth's dismissal was an act of victimisation, becauso of his activity in. the formation of the Police Association at Auckland. Tliero was no discussion when the:petition was presented. TRAMWAYS CONFERENCE. A conference oonveiled by the Hon. W. Fraser (Minister of Public Works) to submit suggestions in regard to projected tramway legislation, is to assemble at Wellington on OctoDer 23. Delegates will attend Irejjrosontilig tramway owners, authorities controlling tramways and unions of tramway employees. The Government will be represented by Mr. R. W. Holmes (En-gineer-in-c'hief t-o tho Public Works Department), and by Mr. W. S. Short (Assistant Under-secrctary for Public Works). , HELPING THE OPPOSITION. Tho Opposition in the Houso of Representatives often abandon to tho Government tho duty of " keeping a House" ■ —of maintaining, that is to • say, tlio quorum of members in the absence of which business cannot proceed. Just beforo midnight on Friday, when the second reading debate on tho Land Bill was in progress, tho Opposition sido of tho Houso presented an array of empty benches. The only Oppositionists in their places wero Messrs. Forbes, Witty, and McCallum, thd last-named of whom was lying down. Attracted by the uiioOsupied territory over tho way, a number of Government - members moved across. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher and Mr. J. B. Hine took possession of tho bench usually occupied by Messrs. Russell and Hanan. Mr. F. H. Smith, after sampling the Leader of tho Opposition's bench, joined Mr. J. 11. Braano.y in a bench on tho second tier. After a timo tho new Opposition was joined by the Hon. W. Fraser. Presently Mr. Laurenson came in, and after an admiring survey of tho latest additions to tho Opposition, shook hands all round. Mr. Hanan, who camo in next, was even moro demonstrative. Ho put an arm round Mr: Bradnoy's neck in an affectionate embrace. Tho now Opposition did not altogether neglect tho duty of interjecting when Mr. T. W. Rhodes, who had tho floor, expressed surprise at so good a measuro as the Land Bill being criticised. Mr. Hino remarked: "Not on this side of the Houso." . .