POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2959, 2 July 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[BY TELKGHAPII—SI'IXIAL KIEI'OHTKR.] Wellington, Last Night. ' TE AROHA ELECTION. Thk Government decided, fit a Cabinet meeting this morning, that Colonel Eraser is to be the Ministerial candidate fur tho Te Aroha Beat, in opposition to Sir Walter Buller and Dr. Broome. THK AT,LKX DISQUALIFICATION'. A petition was presented to-day by Mr Bryco, leader of the Opposition, from 212 electors of Te Arohn, praying that the disqualification may be removed from Mr W. S. Allen, which prevents him from .standing for a Heat in Parliament for twelve month!*. LICENSING AMENDMENT HILL. Thin Hill, brought in by Mr Joyce, provides for an extension of tho franchiso in licensing muttons to all adult persons of either sex who have lived not less than six months within tho licensing district and pent in their claims, to be registered on a special licensing election roll not later than 30 days before any election or poll. It also proposes that at the election in IS!M and thereafter the voting paper shall contain linos enabling the voter to vote (1) for or against the opening of any houses at all; (2)for or against an increase in each class of licenses ; or (3) in favour of a decrease to a number to be stated by himself or herself. The Licensing Committee is to be bound to give effect to any decision of ratepayers thus expressed through the ballot-box. Penalties are also provided by the Bill for the supply of liquor to children under the age of 12 yeaie. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. An excellent speech was made last night by the late Minister for Lands, the Hon. G. F. Richardson, and several charges he made against the present land administration all require answering before the debate closes. The Minister of Linds is to reply to-night. He commenced his speech this afternoon, but it was very laboured, ami it was evident that the Hon. John was spinning it out so as to speak to full galleries at the evening sitting. JUDGE EDWARDS' CASE. Mr Fish last night referred to this matter as " that notorious and iniquitous appointment of Judge Edwards." He said, with respect to Mr Bryco's speech, that it camo with a bad grace from one of the party which made that appointment to cavil at such a miserable and trifling thing as Mr Ritchie's elevation to the head of the Stock Department.