POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 218, 20 October 1909, Page 4

POLITICAL.

THE ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE BILL. Once again Sir William Steward is to tile front with, his Elective Executive J3UI, the second reading of which has been fixed for 27th Octpber. Enquiry in the lobbies indicates that the measure will have more support on this occasion than it has hitherto received, and that ite supporters will include members who have spoken strongly against the prin ciple in the past. One of the reasons assigned for this change of opinion is that dissatisfaction exists in connection with some of the more recent appointments to Cabinet rank. The present system of selection is held to have signally failed to secure the appointment of those members who are best fitted for the position. Especially is this ennsiilc'i'd to be the case in regard to some of the appointments made by the present I'riine ilhiister, who, it is held, overlooked mcinbi rs who, in addition to being competent, iud rendered service to the party for a longer term than the appointees. The elevation of llr. Hogg in particular is quoted as one of the examples of the unsuitableness of recent appointments. "If," said one member, "some of the lecent appointees had been nominated under the Elective Executive system, they would not have received ae many votes as could be counted on one's fingers." Under the present system of provincial representation, a member (it is argued) may reach Cabinet rank irrespective of his qualifications for the position. According to another of the converts, he has seen enough to lead him to believe that the advantages under the proposed system will outweigh its disadvantages.

Tile Hon. W. Carncross, from his seat in the Legislative Council, has drawn the attention of the Government to tne error that was made in the consolidation of the Licensing Act. as a result of which the license fees of publicans i;i town districts has been reduced from £4(l to t-a. The Hon. Br. Findlay, in reply, stated that the Government intended introducing this session legislation that would deal with the matter. Mr. Dive, Tit.V.. has given notice in toe House of a question dealing with the same matter. We understand that the Government's method of dealing with the matter will'be by an amendment of the Town Districts Act,