PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 258, 29 October 1903, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. MOUNT HOBSON DOMAIN BOARD. Messrs. J. .M. Shera and T. Buddie have been recommended for the two vacancies on the Mount Hobson Domain Board caused by the death of the late Mr. J. L. Wilson and removal of Mr. J as. Russell, who is now residing in England. LICENSING BILL. It has been openly stated by the "no license" party that they would block the present Licensing Act Amendment Bill, not because they were afraid that the House itself would pass anything that would unduly, interfere with the trade, but for the reason that they feared that the bill would be made an a*bsolute "brewers'" bill in the Legislative Council, and that the managers appointed by the two houses would be induced to agree to "trade" amendments. The Premier referred to this to-day when replying to Mr. T. E. Taylor's assertion that the . Legislative Council as at present constituted could not be trusted with a Licensing Bill. He said that .should.amendments of any serious . import be made, or new and important features be introduced by the Council, he would ask the House not to agree to them. THE 'FRISCO MAIL. Sir Joseph Ward informs me that the 'Frisco mail proposals will not be brought down this week, but will probably see the light about the middle of ; next. INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL. The Premier has agreed to set apart Monday night next for local bills. The Auckland Reserves Exchange Bill is 28th on a list of 32 bills, and may or may not be reached, its chances depeu'ding on the mood of the House as much as on the opposition to prior measures. ANTHRAX. In answer to a question put by Mr. Flatman to-day, the Minister for Agriculture stated that the bulk of the imported manures is now being sterilised, therefore the risk of infection is very remote. The paddocks in which Btock have died are now quarantined. It is not proposed to compel the special branding of imported manures, as the steps taken to sterilise are deemed sufI ficient protection. . THE PAEROA NATIVES. I Mr. Moss will ask th,e Native Minis- ■ ter what steps are being taken to pro- ; vide a water supply for the natives , of Ohinemuri, as their old supply from i the Ohinemuri river has been destroyed • by the mines using that river as a sludge : JTaannel. This question is asked on acs count of the following telegram rei ceived from Mr. Hugh Poland, the Chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council: ''Maoris are now compelled to : use Ohinemuri river water for drinki ing purposes. Council has continually ' urged this matter on Government, and will repudiate any responsibility if epidemic occurs." CORNWALL PARK. Mr Bollard has given notice of his intention to move '"That this House desiiiiS to place on record its high JPPLtioir of Sir JohnLogan Campbell J munificent gift .of Cornwall Park to the citizens of New Zealand.OPOTIKI COURT-HOUSE. Mr Hemes recently asked the Minister for Justice to place a sum on the Supplementary Estimates to a new and up-to-date Court-house at Opotiki. Ml MeGowan does not think it neees«arv to erect a new building, as though old-fashioned the present biuklmg is m a fair , state of preservation. BUTTER FREIGHTS. Sir Joseph Ward, the Minister for Industries and Commerce, is in communication, with the shipping companies who control the freights between New Zealand and London, with the object of securing a reduction of freights on dairy produce, bringing them into line with the Australian rates. j THE GOVERNOR'S DEPARTURE. In answer to Mr Witheford's question as to whether the Government would give the House an opportunity of passing an address expressing the universal feeling of satisfaction at the manner in which Lord Ranfurly has discharged the high and responsible duties of his office, the Premier to-day staled that the question will receive every consideration at the hands of the Government. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. Mr Massey attempted to draw the Minister for' Public Works this afternoon Oβ to the date of the appearance of the Public Works Statement, asking the question, without notice. The document, which was later in the session thnn at any time during the last ten years, was anxiously looked for all over the colony, and particularly in the country districts. The Hon. Hall-Jones suggested that the question should be placed on the Order Paper in the usual way, to which Mr Massey severely replied: "The Minister may think that is a courteous reply, or he may not- He is the best judge, and 1 have to be satisfied with his answer." The Premier explained that the question was not answered because it would open up a debate on the subject. It was a Cabinet matter, and would receive the attention of the. Government. At a later stage Mr Hall-Jones stated that the delay was due to the fact that every day and every hour of the day brought in fresh applications for grants, and these had all to be carefully gone into that, the grain might be winnowed from the chafi". He desired to make the expenditure as equable as possible, and when the Statement was brought down members would see that the best use had been made of the money, and though they might not be satisfied with the amounts for their respective districts they would recognise the difficulty. The Statement would be brought down in the course of a few days. SECONDARY SCHOOLS. The Secondary Schools Bill, which was published in the "Star" earlier in the session, Avas introduced by Governor's Message to-day, with the amendments suggested by the Education Committee as reported last. week. STATE FIRE INSURANCE. The deadlock between the House and the Legislative Council regarding the State Fire Insurance Bill has not yet been settled. The third conference between the two branches of the legislature was a little more fruitful than were the two- previous meetings, as was stated, the managers agreeing that the bill should be returned to the Council, who -should then, instruct its amend-

merit in. the clause which the HotfSl insisted that it had not the right to amend, in antique type, for to consider and accept or reject.

The Council was disinclined to ac* cept the suggestion this afternoon many members believing that they should stick to their guns and uphold; their privileges at all hazards.

After discussing the matter at soma length, the suggestion of a conference receiving some rough handling, it was eventually adjourned to give the Goveniment. an opportunity of reconsidering the question.

Several members of both Houses suggested the introduction of a new bill, which it was declared could be put through both Houses in an hour, an opinion which the smile of the Premier indicated he did not share. The matter will probably be settled one way or the other to-morrow (Thursday) afternoon. , MR. BEEHAN'S APPOINTMENT. During a general onslaught on individual members of the Legislative Council this afternoon, Mr. Taylor read a motion purporting to have been carried by the Auckland Trades and Labour Council objecting to Mr. Bcehan's appointment to the Legislative Council, and .reflecting, on him personally. The Premier rigorously defended the appointment, saying that Mr. Beehan was well known in Auckland as a business man, a public man, and a prominent member of friendly societies. He put down the opposition of the Trades Council to the fact that they had recommended two of their members for appointment, and their recommendation had not beep agreed to. MR HOGG'S QUESTION. Mr Hogg to-day asked the Government whether their attention has been called to the fact that the duty of 1/ per 1001b on Hour and manufactured "■rain, while enabling producers within the colony to exact £80.000 a year from the consumers of bread, only yielded £150 a year to the revenue from imports, and, seeing this was the case, would they take prompt steps to abolish a tax that was obviously unjust, impolitic, and highly detrimental to the gen« eral welfare.

The Minister replied Chat the importation of flour during the last five years was 113,399 centals, valued at £45,776, the revenue being £ 7373. The greater part of this was imported last year, when the value was £39,446, and the revenue £40(51. The importation for 1902 was principally from California. Assuming that Mr Hogg's estimate as to the amount consumers had to pay, over and above the normal value was correct, there was reason for considering the advisability of removing or lessening the duty on flour, and the matter would be inquired into with the view of action being taken if found advisable when the tariff was next being dealtj with. JOTTINGS. The Postmaster-General is inquiring into the matter of establishing a postal service between Hikutaia and Faithful, and McConnell's Bush, Thames. The Minister for Public Works wilU if time permits visit the Bay of Plenty, district during the recess, with the object of ascertaining for himself the needs of the district in the matter of roads and railways. The Hon. S. T. George left lor Auck* land this (Thursday) morning. Captain F. M. B. Fisher, whose action in writing to the newspapers on a mat* ter connected with volunteering was the subject of comment a month or so ago, has, 1 hear, been ordered to send in h\s resignation.