Parliamentary.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 960, 13 July 1881, Page 2

Parliamentary.

[from OUR OWN correspondent]. Wellington, July 12. In the Upper House on Friday, the Native Land Frauds and Native Succession Bills passed the third reading. In the Lower House, Mr. Stevens’ Fire Brigade Bill was ordered to be read that day six months. Great opposition was made against the Bill by the Insurance Companies. When the Licensing Bill was in Committee, a series of new clauses was carried, restricting the sale of intoxicating liquors to Natives within any Native Licensing Districts, under penalty of £2O, except medicinally ; also giving the Government power to prohibit the granting of licenses in any block of Native land on which no license has hitherto been granted. Sir William Fox abandoned the new clauses bringing local option into operation as affecting present licenses. Estimates are being framed with a view of making retrenchment in the Civil Service to £340,000 as compared with last year. It is generally believed by members that Mr. Wakefield has accepted the portfolio of Postmaster-General, and Mr. W. Johnston made Minister of Public Works, but after strict enquiry I learn that the announcement is premature. The programme of business as agreed to by the Government this week, is:—Major Atkinson will enunciate the intention of tlie Government re Local Self Government; they will push on the Licensing Bill, which, although passed through Committee, will be recommitted to reconsider several clauses. The Regulation of Elections, and the Corrupt Practices Bill will be pushed ou as rapidly as possible, so as to get them disposed of, in the Lower Chamber. Later. Mr McDonald moved to-day the first reading of the Gisborne Harbor Bill. It was referred for Local Bill Committee’s consideration. The House was principally occupied this afternoon in the re-discussion of the clauses of the Licensing Bill. An attempt made to make the election of Licensing Committees triennial instead of annual was defeated by a large majority. 4 It was rumoured in the lobbies to-day that several members got view of a proof of the new Electoral Districts Bill, which has caused much annoyance to the Government. The estimates for the current year will be ready for circulation to-morrow.

A. caucus of the members of the Liberal Association was held yesterday evening, when t was agreed that the basis for the Associa;ion should be on the same lines as the Victorian ’’Liberal Association. A general meet'ng of the members is to be held shortly, the >bject being to take concerted action for Jthe ?nsuing general election.