POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2951, 13 June 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[iiv ti-:lk.:uap»—si'kcial kki'ohtek.] Wki.unhto.s-, List Night, THK ADDIIKSS-IN-RKI'LY.

THK debate on the Address-in-Kep!v came to a conclnsion to-night mnro suddonly than was anticipated. Mr McOuire, in moving the Address, after ho had warmed up to the subject, spoke with vigour, and evidently convinced tho House Mint he possessed some ideas of his own. He made a kindly allusion to Sir H. Atkinson, his predecessor for the JOgmont seat, describing him as a man who had distinguished himself, not only in the Parliament of tho country but in tho lield, and although opposed to Sir H. Atkinson in politics he expressed the earnest hope that the exPiemier would be. shortly restored to health, Tho seconder of the Address, Mr Buick, made an eloquent speech, but it was quite apparent that the majority of his most telling sentences werecarefully learned, and he spoke from unusually full notes. Mr Rolleston and Mr Bryce both entreated the Premier to adjourn tho debate till Tuesday, as sovoral prominent members of tho Opposition, including Captain Russell, Mr Sc.bie Mclvenzie and others, had not yot arrived. Mr Billancc said he had no desire to be discourteous, but ho saw no reason why the debate should not conclude that night. Mr Macirthur thou made, another attempt to get an adjournment but failed. The Address-ni-Reply was therefore allowed to go by the board, and the House rose shortly after !l p.m. THK BANKING ACCOUNT. Mr Fisher is again this session moving in tho direction of having the Government bank account distributed amongst the banks doing husmess in New Zealand, and intends to move that tenders be invited for that purpose from all the. other banks in tho colony. THK LICENSING FRANCHISE. Mr Buick, tho member for Wairan, is urging on the Government tho necessity of amending tho Licensing Act IS"!), in the direction of having the licensing franchise extended to the same as the Parliamentary franchise, and not to limit it to the ratepayers as at present. CUIUOUS RETRENCHMENT. As showing tho slap dash style in which the Government retrenchment scheme was carried out, the following from to-night's " Press " is very pertinent:—"lt will be reineinbo'-ed that a number of the Native Land Court Judges received n.tico that they rnu.st leave on a certain date. When the date arrived, however, it was observed that the judges still went on in the u.-ual way with theirwoik ; the reason, of course, was that it was impossible to dispense with them and have- the work done. One of the judges who had got notice to quit informed the Government that there were in his court alone arrears of work that .vonld take at least two years to get through, He was then asked to remain in oHioe until the arrears had been disposed of, and his reply was more forcible- than polite. He informed the Minister that ho would not do another stroke of work unless his notice of dismissal was cancelled. The notice was cancelled, and he set about his business in his wonted earnest and practical manner."