PARLIAMENTARY.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 214, 8 September 1893, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

The Petitions Committee had no recommeud.tion to make in the matter of the petition by

Mr Russell Bates of the Lakes, Kai Iwi district. The Government has not yet come to a resolution as to whether* or no legislation on the lines of the Gumfieids Commission report shall he introduced this session. The Premier informed Mr Palmer yesterday that an opportunity would he given for discussing* the matter, hut lie could not fix- a date for tire discussion at present. t Th° se ' v ’ 1 o alleg'e that tire Alcoholic Liquors iii.il of tire Government is drawn in the interests of brewers and publicans find strong* confirmations of their suspicions in a little scene that took place when the Bill w..s passed through the Lowvr.House. So sooner had the motion “ that rhe Bill do now pass ” been carried than Mr hish rose from iris seat, walked over to the Government benches and shook tiie Premier’s hand warmly, offering- him hearty congratulations on his success. The following is a copy of a telegram which has been forwarded to Sir Boberfc Stout by Mr Jidward Withy, the chairman ox the New idealand Alliance :•* As Alliance chairman X earnestly repudiate Premier’s assumption that Licensing Bill would have been gladly welcomed by a temperance convention previous to session. Its three-fifth majority, its right of renewal, and irs requirement that half electors must vote, stamp it as undemocratic and re-actionary, ihe latter provision would have invalidated the Roes-Gadman election if applied to it. I congratulate you and your supporters who were prepared to trust the people,—(Signed) ft I> w \ j;i> Withy. Mr John London has petitioned the House for a refund of two sums of £IOO and £SO respectively, out of pocket expenses, etc, incurred by aim- olio first, iu bringing 1 Te Ivloananui, the leading chief of Mauraki. to Auckland, in ISGS, to see the Colonial treasurer, and so averting bloodshed ; and the second, in 1669, when he again brought the same chief to Auckland, to consent to the snagging' of the Pinko River. The petitioner explains ho did not make any claim against the Government for a refund of the outlay, for payment of his important and , hazardous services, or for recompense for the ■ great risk, because he was then in prosperous circumstances. BXe has since, however, sus- -j turned very heavy losses through retrospective ; legislation, his efforts to secure the annexation { of Samoa to Lew Zealand, and his intimate con- -j necition with the late Premier’s village settle- l ment scheme. Mr Lunclon also prays for a 7 grant of land for military services. These j pc .I i ions were presented by Mr E. Lawry. ,