POLITICAL NEWS. BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1917, 18 October 1884, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS. BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

The Public Works Statement. Wklmngton, Friday. During the passing through Committee of the Imprest Supply Bill this afternoon, Major Atkinson asked the Premier if he could give the House any idea as to when they might expect the Public Works Statement. Mr Stout replied that they were determined to push tho principal policy bills through before bringing down the Statement. Major Atkinson was also anxious to obtain some information respecting the Consolidation of Stock Bill, to which the Premier replied that the bill would probably bo ready by Wednesday next.

The Trunk Railway. It is understood that the Government do not intend to bring the report of the North Island Trunk Railway Itoute Committpo before the House for discussion until the East and West Coast (Middle Inland) Rail way Bill has been disposed of.

Sir George Grey's Newspaper Bill. The Post to-night is very rough on Sir Geo. Grey's latest "little bill" to amend the Printers' and Newspapers' Registration A ;t. It says Sir George is a veritable Don C^uivote in liis discovery of imaginary wrongs, and he not nn frequently does a great deal of mischief in his efforts to redress them. After referring to the nature of the act, the Post continues: "No respectable printer objects to the law requiring him to put an imprint on his work. There is nothing derogatory or troublesome about it, and no ono knows better than printers do how necessary it is that such a provision should exist. To do away with it would, especially in times of political excitement lead to th > dissemination broadcast of all sorts (if slanders, libels and defamatory statements The benefit of anonymity would be taken advantage of in all directions to stab people behind their backs and to circulate all sortof vile slanders. Now a printer for his own sako has to take caie that he does not allow libellou-. matter to issue from his office. In like manner the abolition of the necessity fm an imprint would encourage the choula tion of immoral and obscene publications of all kinds. Nothing is moie coirmon than for printers to be asked to strike off a few hundred copies of obscene American publications. Of course no respectable n.an in the trade would undertake work of this kind, but there are others who, if they had not to put their imprint on the job, and in curved no vis-k by omitting it, would with out hesitation earn dirty money. The necessity for an imprint, and the heavy penalty which omission to use it exposes a printer to, e\ercise a mos-t salutary influence in restraining improper publications Sir Geo. Grey would allow the press to I), 1 used to scatter moial filth broadcast tluough the colony. He wishes to give license, not liberty; but wo trust the House will have too much good sense to entertain his pei - nicious proposal fpr a moment."

Sunday Excursions. I understand that the Nonconformist minister^ of Ohnstchnrcli have addressed a letter to the Picmier, protecting against thi> employment of public money by mciribi?r> of both Houses of Parliament on the Sabbath. Mr Stout replied to the effect that he would lay the letter befoie Parlisi nient.

The West Coast Railway. Saver dl houis wore occupied to-night in discussing the Oth clause of tlio E.ist aiul West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Railway Bill. A number of amendments were proposed and negatived by large majorities.

A Scene. Something approaching a scene occurred eaily in the evening between the Pi turner and Su Geo. Grey. The Piemier said that, Sir George did not know what he was talking about, 01 lie \vs\p trying wilfully to niiblead the House. He aUo said the member for Auckland East was quite out of oider in the couisc he was pui.sumg, and he coinplamed that the bill would never get through if Sir Geoige Giey was allowed to discuss the whole bill at every clause. Sn Geoige letoi ted equally waimly, and insisted strongly th.it Mr Hainlm should leave the chair, and ask the Speaker to decide whether ho was in older or not. Mi Hanilm, while consenting to put the motion to report piogiess, said he hoped he would always be found icidy to uphold the rules of the House. The motion foi iepoiting progress, however, wa-> lobt on the voices, and the mattei chopped.