WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

AYOAIEN JUSTICES. LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS REBUKED. [Special To Thu Guardian.] WELLINGTON, July 30. Considerable indignation is being expressed at the action of the Legislative Council in rejecting for the second time the Justices cf the Peace Amendment Bill, designed to allow women to become justices of the pcac-e. The Bill had passed through the House of Representatives without any serious opposition, and its promoters seem to have assumed that the elected chamber having reiterated its approval ol the measure the Council would not further impede its passage. But they counted without their host. The Hon. C'. Samuel, "hose judgment in such matters counts for a good deal, while shewing no enthusiasm over the extension of womens’ privileges, contended that the Bill having been twice passed by the House it was the bounden duty of the Council to nceeept its prin- • iple. Sir Francis Bell, the lender of the Council, dissented from this view strongly, and encouraged by liis interpretation of their rights and responsibilities in the matter a large majority

■.■ f the councillors duly confirmed their former deoision. Sir Francis 801 l d:<l not vote, and the only councillors who went into the ‘'Ayes'” lobby were, Messrs Cohen, Tlislop, Samuel, Smith, Thomson, Triggs and Sir William Tin] 1Jones. Apparently women will not be allowed to mount the bench till the Government takes up their cause. THE BUTTER POOL.

The taking of evidence by the Agriculture and Stock Committee of tliu House of Representatives in regard to the Dairy IToduce Control Bill is occupying far more time than the Alinistcr of Agriculture and his official advisers intended it should. It was officially announced that the opponents of the Bill would ho given two days in which to tender such evidence as they wished to place before the Committee and that it would he desirable for them not to avoid the wearisome reiteration of facts and opinions, but the Minister and his advisors, who are credited with a strong leaning towards the provisions of the Bill, have been more generous towards the opponents of the measure than their preliminary announcement seemed to imply they would be. The Committee was occupied during the greater part of its last week's sittings in listening to the evidence of producers, factory officials and exporters who objected to handing over the shipping and marketing of their produce to a hoard which might or might not he competent and which, in any case, would not have tne same incentive ns the holders had towards making the best possible arrangements. Now it is expected that, at least another week will bo occupied in taking further evidence and that then another week will be required fur the preparation of tho Committee's report and the necessary printing. speculation. It would he, of course, a. breach of privilege to give any indication of the purport of tlu* evidence that has been submitted to the Committee, but probably the man in the street has heard as much about Lbe conflicting views of the parties immediately concerned ns the Minister himself lias heard. The Bill certainly is one of those Mr Alasm v will insist upon being finally dealt •nth bcf«rc lie leave? for London, and if the Ciiniinittee should he unable to report to the House within a fortnight from now it may be found nccrsMii’v 111 hold the measure over tiil next session. Whatever the report of ihe Committee may be, it is bound to offer plenty of material for discus-

sion and with ’noth sides strongly represented in the House, the talking might go on for a week or two. But there me hints at a compromise which would very much facilitate a settlement of the matter and at the same time leave both sides with something gained. It is the compulsory pooling clauses that are giving offence to the opponents <4 the Bill who are just as anxious as are the advocates of the measure for belter shipping ami distribution arrangements. Probably it requires only the exorcise of a little if (1,,, tact Air Massey so readily commands In bring them together. A REAIOrit. This morning the “New Zealand Times”, which probably is not in the innermost confidence ol either ol the parties, gives publicity to tho latest lobby go-sip. “It is ■rumoured,” U says, “that an understanding of some sort' has been arrived at between the Reform Government and the Labour Party, with regard to certain legislation to he brought down this session, and that, as a result, the Labour Party will offer no very determined opposition to the Government's programme being put through in lime to allow of Mr Massey leaving for London at the end of August. The rumour is not very definite ill diameter, but it points til something in the nature of a emupromise with regard to the Electoral Deform Bill. In the lobbies, the general opinion has hoen that this iiteastue would proceed on the lines of proportional representation for the electorates m and near the four centres combined with preferential voting for the country con-titueneies.” If there is any truth in tin's rumour, it most likelt rests on the basis of an understanding between tile Government and the Labour Party that the Electoral Reform Bill "ill not be introduced this session.