Political Notes.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7959, 24 October 1905, Page 2

Political Notes.

Al a meeting of the local branch ol the Political Labour League, a resolution was passu! instructing the sec* retary to write to Mr Tisch to ascertain if he would be willing to meet a deputation of the League to discuss the party's platform. Notice was given by Mr Taylor on Monday to ask the Premier whether, in view of the fact that nis unauthorised actions at last Conference of the Colonial Premiers involved this colony in a contribution of £15,0011 to an Imperial monument, and might have committed the colony to forming an Imperial army reserve, he would submit to the House before its adjournment the draft of any proposals he contemplates bringing Irefoio the Conference of Colonial Premiers to be held next year, so that they may he considered and- authorised by Parliament.

The Minister of Railways states that provision will be made on the Supplementary, Estimates for increasing the wages of the lower grade men in the service.

During the "stonewall" on the Criminal Code Amendment Bill, Mr Laurenson rose, and at once disclaimed any intention of joining forces with the New Liberal Parly, of which, until a few weeks ago, he was such a

conspicuous member. He deplored the waste of time, and urged the expediency of compromise. Speaking of attacks on moral character, he created a sensation by declaring that 11 su»h an attack were -made oi\ him, and he could not get tne slanderer under the law, li 0 would get at liiim "out of the law." "If," li c s tabid, "1 eo*ld not reach him'with the law, then a ibdllel or a knife would reach him." This declaration created an excited buzz of sensation.

Replying i 0 a petition for compassionate allowance lor the widow and children of John Lane, who was killed by a fall of earth at the Seildon railway works, the Alinjslvr of Public, Works slates that they will he entitlled to an amount between £2llO and £30(1 under the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act,"and the officer in charge of the works is authorised to make an advance for immediate relief if necessary. * » * * The compromise - offered by the Premier shortly before 2 a.m. on Saturday, and accepted by the stoncwaMers, was tho. following new chuse iu (lie Criminal Amendment Hill :—"Every person who, without; legal 1 justification or excuse, speaks any words which arc likely to injure the reputation of any otlur person, by exposing such person to haired or contempt, or to injure him in his profession 0 r trade, ' is guilty of ' criminal defamation,' which is hereby declared to be an ofience, provided that the speaking of such words shall not constitute or he deemed to constitute an.offence unless spoken,within the hearing of not les-s than twenty persons at a meeting to which the public arc invited to attend or have access ; provided further that no proceedings in respect of an offence against this Act shall be commenced after the expiration of two months after the commision of the offence. The provisions of sections 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Criminal Code Amendment Act, 1901, shall, i mutatis mutandis, extend and apply to all cases of criminal defamation ; provided that before making any order under section 5 bf that Act: in respect of any offence of criminal defamation, the judge or magistrate making such order shall he satisfied that there is rearfonafije ground for a. prosecution."