POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3281, 28 July 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. PROTEST AGAINST HONORARY TITLES. LPEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, July 27. Parliament was opened this afternoon by the Governor, who was attended by several military officers in uniform, there being present MajorGeneral Godley, C. 8., Commandant; Colonel Robin, C. 8.; Colonel R. J. Collins, C.M.G., Hon. A.D.C.; Colonel Heard, Director of Military training; Colonel Burnett Stuart, D. 5.0., Director of military operation; Colonel Johnstone, R.G.A.; Captain Symon, staff officer to Major-General Godley. His Excellency was also attended by his personal staff, Captains Shannon, McDougall, and Estcourt, and Mr. Guise, private secretary. Lady Islington with the Hon. Joan Dickson-Poyn-der and Miss Stapleton Cotton, and Misses Anson and Boyle (of Christchurch) occupied seats of honor on the floor of the house. There was rather a poor attendance of members of both Houses. After the reading of the Governor’s Speech, which was unusually bald and uninteresting, the Legislative Council did only formal business. The Lower House met immediately afterwards. HEREDITARY TITLES. One of the first private members’ Bills given notice of to-day was “The Prevention of Hereditary Titles Bill,” by Mr. E. Newman, member for Mana/watu. Mr. Newman will not, however, proceed with his Bill until Sir Joseph Ward’s return to the Dominion. Mr. Witty has given notice of the Land Agents Registration Bill. GOVERNMENT MEASURES Mr. Millar gave notice of the introduction of the Friendly Society’s Act Amendment Bill, the Shipping and Seamens Act Amendment Bill; the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, and the Workers’ Compensation for Accidents Amendment Bill. Mr. Thomas McKenzie gave notice of the Seeds Sale Control Bill. The Hon. Sir James Carroll will introduce the Administration Act Amendment Bill.

Mr. Fowlds gave notice of the Town Planning Bill and the Pharmacy Bill.

MR. WILFORD, M.P.

To the surprise of most people, Mr. Wilford, member for the Hutt walked into the House and took his accustomed seat. He was looking somewhat pale after the recent severe operation which he had to undergo, and a rather long spell in a private hospital. Everyone was glad to see the genial member for the Hutt in his place once more, and he received the congratulations of members on both sidles of the House. THE IRISH DELEGATES. The Irish delegates, Messrs Hazleton, O’Brien, and Donovan, were interested spectators at the opening ceremony, and also during the proceedings in the Lower House. CANDIDATES AND NO-LICENSE. MR McNAB SUPPORTS REDUCTION OF MAJORITY. In response to the question as to whether he was prepared to support No-License by a bare majority, Mr. McNab, who will contest the Palmerston North seat, replied that he was in favor of the 55 per cent, majority both for local and Dominion option. He opposed both the bare and the three-fifths majority. The 55 per cent, majority was that which was proposed in the amending Act of last session, but which was thrown out bv Parliament.

It is understood that Mr. E. G. B. Moss will be a candidate in the Opposition interest for the Parnell seat, in opposition to Mr. Frank Lawry. Mr Mack will contest the seat in the interests of Labor. Mr. Moss held a seat in the House some years ago, sitting as a member for the Liberal Party.

Mr. J. Vigor Brown, M.P., for Napier, denies that he has heard anything of his being called to the Upper House to fill the seat rendered vacant by the death of the Hon. W. C. Smith. In reply to a query as to whether he would support a Bill in favor of the hare majority for local and Dominion prohibition, Mr. Buick, sitting member for Palmerston North, replied in the negative stating that he was in favor of the substantial majority of three-fifths, which was necessary to make the poll permanent, otherwise there would he constant turmoil. Asked if he was in favor of Dominion prohibition, his reply was that he preferred Dominion prohibition to local. A. further question was then put: “If Dominion prohibition is carried, are you in favor of making it absolute?” Mr. Buick replied that he was. If Dominion prohibition was carried, it was only light that they should be without liquor. Mr. A. L. D. Fraser, of Hastings, is definitely announced as a candidate for the Hawke’s Bay seat at the next general elections. .