WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 29 September 1917, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

»jpHE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IP * - £' IN A CRITICAL MOOD. 1 * • • ' '.''■ - (Special Correspondent.) IK, WELLINGTON, Sept 28. Probably ag'a retort to the criticism that has been leveled against itself in various quarters during the present I session, the Legislative Council has been indulging in some plain speaking on its own account. The candour has .not been confined to the Hon. J. T. jf Paul and the Hon. John Barr the "Labour Lords," who, ,of course, are the "Independents" of the chamber, owning allegiance to neither party and specially commissioned to represent the spirit of divine discontent which proverbially makes the wheels of progress go Tound. Even Sir Walter Buchanan, commonly regarded as. the epitome of all the proprieties, has been speaking with frankness oflhe qualifications of the new Public Trustee and the Hon G. Carson has been glorying in his recognition of "the terrible weaknesses of the Government.". The Hon W. Earnshaw is P*W*ed by the efforts of Ministers to "]okk. away from Democracy" and the Hon A. T. Maginnity deplores their assumption of uninstructed authority in details of administration. SHELVED REFORM. As- a matter of plain fact the live members of the Council are feeling a little irritated by the Government's persistent neglect of their Chamber. Probably a majority of them are not particularly anxious to see the Counade though this was one of. the strong election cards of the party to which they owe their, seats, but they want; to have this question definitely settled on e way or the other arid in either case they want the chamber restored to its full strength. The Government's reply to all this is that during the continuance of the party truce it is impossible to deal with the problem of Council refrom, the views of the two parties being distinctly opposed to one another, and that in the meantime it is undesirable to apoint more members than are actually required for the transaction of the current; business. But in spite ✓of this pronouncement it is generally expected that several appointments will be made in the near future. |k S ? O'CLOCK . CLOSING. .. The Sale of Liquor Restriction Bill is still before the Statutes Provision Committee of the Legislative. Council anH from a statement , madei by Sir Francis Bell yesterday it is understood it will not make its appearance in the Council before Wednesday next. Meanwhile'a great mass of evidence is being taken by the Revision Committee and a small army of lawyers is picking holes in the measure. It is highly improbable that the Committee will recommend any departure from the- decision of the House in regard'to the hours of sale, from 9 a .m. to 6 p.m., but it is quite probable it will suggest minor amendments to suit the convenience of travellers and to allow of liquor being supplied with meals after 6 p.m. Alterations of this character would have to.be very fully safeguarded to get through" either branch of the Legislature, but the official prohibitionists, now realising the'magnitude of their victory on the main point, would not meet them with any factious opposition.

jjjL" SECOND DIVISION. Thanks the excellent organisation and its tactful persistence the Second Division League has made very considerable progress towards the goal it set out to achieve. It has won the sympathy of a large majority of the members of the House and has obtained a number of very material concessions from the Minister of Defence. The important differences remaining between Sir James Allen and 4he representatives of the League have to do with the amount of separation allowance and the substitution of legislation for regulations. The latter point the Legue regards as vital. It wishes the dependants of the K-ar-ried men going to the war to be secured by statutory law against the changes and risks of the future. Equality of sacrifice i s the underlying principle of its demands and so far as this principle applies Parliament is in the humour to do its duty. Ministers may not be able to do all flirt is being asked of them, but they P-ft shcvnnsa. disposition to do aIF ■ that is possible. ,