POLITICAL NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1911, 4 October 1884, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.-SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Slocking Business. Wellington, ITnday Night. A most determined attempt waa made last night to prevent the Licensing Bill coming on by talking out the Gold Duties Abolition Bill until aftei half-past 12. A long rambling debate onMied on the lattiM, which effectually blocked all other business. The goldh'elds menibeis had their u-u««l free fight. Mr Seddon wai particularly lively during the debate. He said he had sworn on the hustings to oppose any Go vernment that did not abolish the duty. It is lepoited that he intends to stonewall the Greymouth Harbour Bill.

The Public Works Statement There is great di&afci&facfcion expressed at the delay m delivering the Public Works Statement. It is still uncertain when the Statement is to be brought down, although it is undei stood to be quite re.idy for dehveiing. The chief cause assigned for the delay is in consequence of Mr Richardson's time having been so much engrossed of late by his duties as chairman of the North T&land Tiunk Railway Commission, which has been bitting for the last throe week.s. It is> reported to-night that the Public Woiks> Statement will not be delivered for another week at the earliest.

Progress of Business. A proposal hn& emanated from the Opposition that the Governir,ent should loose no time in going- on with the Estimates-, •Hid they would assist them in putting them through in one night, m order to facilitate the l>UMne-.s of the .session. It ii expected that the necei&ary work will not be completed before the end of the month, and piobably not then.

The Railways and the Newspapers. The question of lailway pa^e-s to the Tiewsfupeib has been before the House again. Mr Macandrew asked the Minister for Public Works yesterday whether it w.i& the intention of the (iovermuent to restore the railway passes to newspapers published with m the colony, under such reductions as would prevent any abuse of the privileges. He said that he had mo\ed in the matter m the mteiests of many of the ciuutiy nowspapers. which weie conipplled to send a distance for the purpose of collecting news. The Minister for Public Woiks icphed that he could not see his way to granting the request. When these parses weie withdiawn their numbers were incredible, and the abuses of the privilege had been frequent and flagrant.

Waikato Confiscated Lands. The Native Minister has introduced the Waakato Confiscated L inds Act, which provided foi the lcnowal of the power of the Governor to in iko reserves of land under the second section of The Waik.ito Confiscated Lands Act, I.SyO, and any resei\e-> may bs made under this section at any time befou* the expiration of two years from the passing of this Act.

Members' Excursion. Thoieahim given f<« the abandonment of the Parliamentary exclusion tup to Napiei and (4isborne it> owing to tho determination of the House to sit on Monday evening for the transaction of Go\ eminent business.