The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, July 25, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1276, 25 July 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, July 25, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The business of Parliament during the week has been fairly brisk. It is to be noted that while certain members are seeking every opportunity of talking to their constituents, a more dignified tone is obtaining. There is an absence of that bold recklessness on the part of certain members who were much in the limelight last session. Government members are determined to settle down to business and have given no cause for complaint in respect to time wasting. The most important measure brought down was the Licensing Bill, which is non-party, and which has created a widespread interest not only in the House but throughout the country. The galleries were crowded when the second reading was in progress and the measure went through by the narrow margin of two votes, 38 to 36. Politics, at times, makes strange bedfellows and the division on the Licensing Bill brought the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition into the same lobby. There was a strong intermingling of parties. What may happen to the Bill in Committee is difficult to prophesy. A large number of amendments proposed which may have the effect of postponing the Bill for a future’ Parliament to deal with. The blocking process will come from opponents. It is a pity that some compromise could not be arrived at in order to provide a settlement of this vexed question lor a few years. The Government sprung a surprise on the Opposition by bringing down the Imprest Supply Bill thus squeezing out private members Bills. The Leader of the Opposition accused the Prime Minister of discourtesy in not notifying him of the Government s intention to bring down the Bill. The Premier stated that he was paying back the Leader of the Opposition in his own coin for lack of courtesy in not informing the Government of the notice of NoConfidence which was sprung on during the Address-in-Reply debate, Expressions of regret from Loth leaders followed and there will be no more discourtesy in this respect in future. The Bible-in-Schools Referendum Bill, another non-party measure, is creating considerable interest throughout

the country, and, by the way, is Flirring up a good deal of sectarian bitterness. Evidence on the Bill is being taken and the measure will be watched with intense interest and feeling when the second reading takes place. There appears to be even keener interest evidenced in this measure than on the Licensing Bill and the division list will settle the political life of more than one member at the general election. The Legislative Council, by an overwhelming majority, has decided in favour of an elective chamber. With the Licensing Bill and Bible-in-Schools Bills out of the way, the Government will settle down to business on its policy measures.