POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 212, 20 November 1897, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(r.Y TELKGruvn. —special reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. LANDS FOR SETTLFMENT. The scope of the Lands for Settlement Act Amendment Bill, introduced in the House 'ast night, is to extend the operations of the main Act till 31st March, 1900, and increases the borrowing power for the acquisition of laud from £'250,000 to £500,000 per year. In any case wheie the land to he taken does not exceed 200 acres in area, and is nquired for the purposes of close settlement or workmen's homes, the prescribed maximum that can he reserved by their owner is deemed to be '25 acres ot any class of land. THE LICENSING LAW. It appears that where a license is allowed to lapse in one part of a district, the Licensing Committee has been allowed to grant a new license in another part ot the district provided it did not go beyond the total number in force at the time of the preceding local option poll. Mr E. J. Smith claims that this is an evasion of the provisions of the Act against renewals outside the prescribed distiiets, and he is introducing the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) to prevent this state ot things. MR WARD'S ARRIVAL.

The ex-treasurer is evidently determined to show light this session. He lias already given notice to ask Mr Richardson, the late Minister for Lands, whether he is correctly reported in having stated in the. course of a speech that if he were the member for Awarua he would introduce a private Bill to change the name of Ward. If so can he give any reason for such a proposal ? He also gave notice to ask Capt. Russell whether the following report of his remarks is substantially correct, and if so will he state the name of the member who made the statement refene.l in the lobbies ? Capt. Russell said it was the talk of the lobbits that this grant (£BOOO for deep sea trawlers) was to benefit the member for Awarua. The Speaker stated that it was not the practice for an lion, member to ask a question of another, and he would have to look into the matter before he allowed the questions on the Order Paper. JOTTINGS. The Hon. J. G. Ward arrived from the South to day and took his seat in the House.