Mr G. J. Smith thinks many of the new provisions of the Licensing Bill a distinct advance upon the present law. He says, however, that there should be no minimum to validate a poll, and that the three fifths proportion should not be required for district prohibition. Mr Carnell has gone to Napier owing to illness in his family, and was given a Aveek’s leave yesterday. In answer to Captain Russell, ivho stated that the Civil servants now had not a soul they could call their own, the Premier said that the Atkinson Ministry, to show re ductions, discharged a number of Civil servants and took them on the very same day as extra clerks. The Minister of Education: “ Political banquets are about equal parts of sham pleasure and champagne.” Mr G. Hutchison intends to ask the Minister of Lands what opportunity, if any, is intended to be given this session to amend the Land Act in the direction of the periodic revaluations under the lease in perpetuity tenure ? Mr Pinkerton suggests that the Govern ment should take steps this session to en courage the growth and manufacture of tobacco by remitting the excise duty on tobacco manufactured from native-grown or imported leaf. In reply to a deputation comprising Mr Buick (member for Wairau) and Messrs Philpotts and Duncan, Mr McKerroAV, Chief Railway Commissioner, promised, yesterday morning, to favourably consider i the question of extending the Picton wharf. ] Before the House adjourned this morn- • ing, Sir Robert Stout called attention to the fact that Mr E. M. Smith had broken his pair with Mr Duthie by remaining in the House and voting. Mr Smith ex plained that he had no idea that the pair could not be changed. The Premier said it was a recognised rule that pairs could be changed; and it was beneath one hold ing the position of Sir Robert Stout that he should try to cast discredit upon the member for New Plymouth. Mr Mills, one of the Government whips, said that Mr Mackintosh had asked for a pair, and ac cordingly he had paired him with Mr Duthie.
