POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 40, 8 July 1914, Page 4

POLITICAL NOTES.

DOMESTIC SCIENCE. Mr. A. M. Myers (Auckland East) Is asking the Minister for Education whether lie will consider the desirability of instituting in the public schools a system of compulsory training in domestic science for girls, so tilmfc they may fit themselves for the future re* aponsibilities in the home, in the same maimer as the boys of the Dominion have to prepare themselves for the future responsibilities as citizens."

TAXING MOTOR CARS. A Bill which is to be laid before Parliament shortly will deal with the licensing of motor-cars and will provide also for the imposition of a special tax upon the owners of these vehicles (says the Dominion.) The latter proposal is a novelty in this country, but it has been recognised for some time past that on Mcomit of the damage done by motorcars to roads it is only reasonable that their ownerß should contribute to the) cost of maintaining the roads and keeping them in repair. It is assumed that the tax will be on a sliding scale, but it is not yet known whether it will bo levied on a basis of horse-power or weight of ear. The latter alternative is most popular with the .owners of light ears or high relative horse-power, which are numerous in New Zealand. THE LICENSING BILL. Keen controversy reigns as to the probable fate of the Licensing Bill, find while members who support the NoLicense party declare that the .Bill >a bound to pass, those whq adopt the opposite view are. equally confident in predicting that it will be arrested on its way to the Statute Book, Upon the whole, the latter view of the position seems to be gaining ground. Those who hold it assert that the Bill can easily be held up by a determined minority in the Lower House, and there is some talk also of a possibility that even should the Bill pass in the representative Chamber it might be thrown but by the Upper House. There is still some difference of opinion as to respective voting powers of the friends and foes of the Bill in Hie Lower' House, but its supporters claim that a majority of members are pledged to vote for a reduction of the majority at the National Prohibition poll.—Dominion.

LICENSING LAW. . ' Discussion as to the probable fate ol the Licensing Bill turns mainly upon what is likely to happen to it after it gets into Committee. Even opponents , of the measure admit that it has a •chance of passing its second reading. A number of members who were spoken to said that a big effort would undoubtedly be made to materially alter the Bill in Committee if i't should get so far on its wnv. Rome members state that a majority in the House will be found to favor doing away entirely with local M'tion. leaving the whole matter to u-straight-out joll 011 National Prohibition with 35 per cent, as an effective majority. It is an integral pa.rt of this i propo-a!. which ihas already been canvassed. to -01110 extent in the lobbies, that a ;V> per cent, majority should suffice to carry restoration in areas in which No-License had been carried and at present obtains. An amendment on these lines, it is stated, would undoubtedly be supported, by some' ol tlwse members who are pledged to vote for a reduction to 55 per cent, of the majority required to carry National Prohibition. That such an amendment would be moved, several members dewas a foregone conclusion.— Dominion.

The Wanganui Chronicle states that Rev. W. B. Scott, the minister in charg* of the Aranioho Methodist Church, has been approached bv the organiser a.nd asked if he will enter tfii lists against Mr. G. V. Pearce, the sitting member.