POLITICAL NOTES

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 39, 8 October 1896, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES

(i;v rKLI2GRA.ru. SI'KCIALCOIIIIEsrOXDENI.) YViii.i.txGTO.v, Last Night. J' IK KLECTORAL LAW. A stkono attempt was nude to-day by the Radical sect on of the House to abolish the property qualification for voting for members of the House, but itivas defeated by the largo majority of 50 to 7. The clause broaglit down by the Premier provided that persons who are already on the roll on a property (pialilieation should not bo interfered with, but -Mr Tamier Iridl to abolish this so as to make iho qualification a purely residential one only. After lids was defeated M" Collins proposed that after the oOth June, )N!I7, the property qialilioido.i should absolutely cease. i hi.s was also defeated by a large majority. The Premier opposed Mr Collins' pioposal on the ground that it would prejudice the Hill in the Council, and his own el'iuso was a considerable step in advance of any previous legislation that Ind been passed. HANK LEGISLATION. There is s'.ill some uucertaiaty as to further banking leg slit on this session. it is surmise I fioiu the t';ne of the Preinioi's reply t'> the deputation ol members last u ght that Til iiistuvs intend to bring down a Bill of ;.u important character, but r.s some ef the Governin nc supporters have ope :ly threatened to stonewall the Hill till Cini-:tin.i«, if n.ee-sary, they consider it is h.irdiy titiely that the Premier will piovokosileh bitter Oppo.iiion in the dying h mrs of the tession, as a Hill uf tics k nd would undoubtedly do THE MINING BILL. Anotii- r all-night sitting is predicted to-niuht on the Alining Act Auieadmeat Bill, unle-i-i some eoaipru niso is eif.'e'.ed over the resumption cans.'.'. It wis epo: ted tint nu arrangement had been come to, but I hear this is let correct, and the oppenenis of the Hill are preparing f- r a systematic stouowad in the liope of competing the Government to abandon the obnoxious cluise. This gii es i C'.vi r to resume all lands in mining di triets f.r mining purposes, and declared that all lands whatsoever shall be open for prospeetieg without tin consent of th-J owners or oeeupieis. A PLEASING RECOGNITION. The Speaker, the members of the Ministry, and of the House of Representatives, have signed a handsome testimonial to Mr T. Mackenzie, member for Chltha, on the eve of his departure for England. The testimonial is in book form and has been beautifully illuminated by Mr W. K. Hack, of Wellington. It is to be presented to Mr Mackenzie by Sir Maurice O'Borko on Saturday night next.