POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2964, 14 July 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(IIV TKLKUKAI'H—SI'KCI.Mi HKI'OHTKIt. ] Wr.Li.iNciON, Last Night. THE LABOUR BILLS. A MKKTiNc of the Labour Bills Committee of tho House of Representatives was held this morning, when the Truck Kill was considered and agreed to without amendments, the suggestions of both tho Employers and Labour Conferences being reacted, and tho Bill was ordered to liu reported as printed. 11l tho. Employers' Liability Act, n RUifgoslion by the Labour Conference that certain powers should be made applicable to both sexes whs agreed to, and a new clause is to bo drafted t" remove certain ambiguities in a portion of tlio Dill as it stands. The measure otherwise was approved of by the Committee. THE PKXN'Y POSTAGE. I understand that the Government are determined to stand by their propo-<;il to reduce the posture to one penny. Several of the Ministerial parly are opposed to the reduction, owing to tho loss of revenue that will ensue from it, but it is fully expected that tho proposition will bo carried. It was stated at one tiino that the Postmaster (funeral felt so strongly the desirableness for this reform that he was prepared to retire from the Ministry if his colleagues refused to support if. PERPETUAL LKASUHOLI). It appears that under the present arrangements tho Public Trust Oltice and Government Insurance Office make advances at 5 per cent upon mortgages on freehold securities but have no authority to lend money upon perpetual leasehold. This morning a deputation headed by Mr Guinness waited upon the Premier and asked that power should be obtained to make advance* to perpetual lessees up to one half tho value of tho improvements effected. Tlioy pointed out that if this were done the Government would be assisting their own tenants and also helping on tho development of the country. The Premier undertook to consult experts as to the feasibility of the proposal, but pers mally he was strong'y opposed to investing trust moneys on anything but tho u'ost satisfactory securities.