POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 456, 4 July 1899, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[I)Y TELECtKAI'II.—OWN CORRESPONDENT]. Wellington. Last Night. THE GENERAL KLEJTION. Sr?:ci7LATiON is already rife hero as to the issue of the general election. Some of the mere sanguine Government sup porter.-s profess to believe that Ministers will core back with a majority of seven or eiyht, I'ut other members of the party csUma'e that sides in the new Parliament will be pretty equally divided and more than oue Ministerialist anticipates a small majority for the Opposition. On the o!her hand, the Opposition, generally, are very sanguine that they will be victorious at the election. They confidently expect to secure a good many seats now held by Ministerialists. This, of course, will apply to both sidis. The opin : on, however, seems to be pretty general tint if the right stamp of men cau be induced to come forward the Opposition should have no trouble in winning at the elections. ABSENT MEMBERS. Mr J. C. Wason, the member for Stlwyn, returned yesterday from a visit to the Old Countiy. Mr Wason and family left for England a few days before the close of last session.. The only members who have not yet arrived are Messrs Guinness, E. G. Wrightand Houe Heke. The two former are pairedon the noconfidence motion, but the Government whip informs me that he has refused to pair Hone Heke with a " livo man," that'is a member who is already in Wellington and prepared to take his seat. I understand that Hone Heke has hitherto beeu paired with Wi Pere, but as the latter is on the spot .and the exact whereabouts of the former is not known at present the Government whip is not inclined to prove a pair for the member for the northern Maori district. TBE NEW LIBRARY. Mr Jonos, the Parliamentary librarian, informs me that the privileges of members in the matter of selecting boons for themselves will be in no way curtailed when the new library is used. They will, of course, select their books in the usual way, but after the books have been chosen an officer ot the library will record the name 3 of the volumes selected in a more systematic manner than has hitherto prevailed. THE LIBEL BILL. Mr Carncrosa' Libel Bill has besn introduced. At the request of the NewZealand Institute of journalists the Bill makes privileged all fair reports of public meetings held for a proper purpose, ptovided that such reports are in the public interest. It also provides that no critniual prosecution for libel can be commenced without the leave of a judge of the Supreme Court. I understaud the Bill is likely to meet with strong opposition, while its promoters are sanguine that it will pass into law. A PRESS GATHERING. A most agreeable gathering took place this afternoon at the Trocadero, when about forty pressmen, including several members of both Houses, assembled for afternoon tea on the invitation of MrG. Lukin, the much-respected editor of the Evening Post. The invitations included members of the Press gallery and Hansard staff, the Wellington Pressmen and members of the Legislature connected with Journalism. The latter included the Hons, W. McCullough, H. Feldwick and George Jones and Messrs Scobie McKenzie, (Jarncross, Steward, Pirani and Mills. An excellent tea was partaken of and afterwards more solid refreshments. The Host particularly requested that there should be no speechifying, but in response to a general invitation, Major Steward, the member for Waitaki, who is a very old Journalist, briefly returned thanks to the Host tor his kindness in briuging so many Pressmeu together and asked those present to toast Mr Lukins' health, which was done in the heartiest manner. Mr Lukin, in replying, said it gave him the greatest possible pleasure to meet so many pressmen, and he promised it would not be the last occasion on which he should ask them to again honour him during the session by partaking of his hospitality. He added that, personally, he felt very grateful to New Zealand, as he has come here from Queensland broken in health, and now he felt about seventy-five years younger (Laughter). A string baud was present and played appropriate selections duriug the afternoon. The company separated about half-past five o'clock, after a most enjoyable reunion.