PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 254, 24 October 1905, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GAULERY.

(By Tele.rrapl-.-_TParliamentary Reporter.

WISLLINGTON, this d»yV THE VAILE SYSTEM.

The Petitions Committee reported today on the petition of Mr S. Vaile, who asked for a trial of his stage system of railway management. The committee recommended that_ the petition be referred to the Government for consideration.

Mr Massey moved an amendment, '■That in the opinion of the House the time has arrived when the stage system should be given a trial on some one of the sections of the railways of the colony."

Mr Baume seconded.

Sir Joseph Ward said that he recognised and admired the persistency with which Mr Vaile had advocated his system, and personally he would like to see it tried. It would not be fair, however, to the rest of the colony if considerable concessions were granted to one district, and a loss ensued, which the colony as a whole would have to make.good, while the users-of the line on which the trial was made reaped all the advantage. In addition, a large increase in the rolling-stock would have to be made. He considered it only fair that those who received the benefit of the reductions should guarantee the colony against loss. If a trial were made it should be on the Auckland section, with which Mr Vaile was best acquainted. ."'; t

Mr Massey's amendment was lost by 35 to 18, and the e-mmittee's report was adopted. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. In the House of Representatives yes terday afternoon the Premier moved that an additional month's leave of absence be granted Mr Witheford on urgent private business.

Mr. Massey said that he did not think the leave should be granted. __j Witheford's constituents had been treated very badly.

Mr Seddon: "We cannot help that." Mr Hawkins: "He has not been here the whole session."

Mr Seddon: "He has been in London on urgent business. The iron steel industry is of great importance, and it" is possible that he may be able to do something in the matter."

The leave asked for was granted. MR HOUSTON CONVALESCENT.*

In asking for a fortnight's leave of absence from Monday last for Mi Houston, the Premier stated that the member for the Bay of Islands was very much improved, an announcement which the House received with expressions of pleasure, Mr Houston being very popular on both sides of the House,

EXHIBITION EMPOWEEING BILL.

The Christchurch Exhibition Empowering Bill, introduced last night by Governor's Message, proposes to give the Government power to appoint an executive commissioner, in whom control of the land is to be temporarily vested, as well as of the erection of the buildings and the display of the exhibits. The Government reserve the right to make regulation as to the management, sum to be paid for admission, etc. Exhibits may be admitted to New Zealand duty free, and the Governor may declare that neither the Factories Act, 1901, the Shops -and. Offices Act, 1904, and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act shall apply to the Exhibition. The bill provides authority for local bodies and defraying expenses of district exhibits.

TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA,

The return of South African trade shows that the total value of produce carried by the subsidised service since its inauguration is £919,262. From 30th June, 1904, to 4th inst. the total value was £ 176,639, the largest item was butter valued at £89,700. Other refrigerated produce carried included beef £8854, lamb £1083, mutton £271, and poultry £14,415. , Other large items were oats £"24-800, wheat £20,000, and bran £7000.

THE PROGRESS OF BUSINESS.

Although the House met at 11 aan. yesterday, it was not until nearly 12 hours later that the first order of the day was reached. The Electric Lines Act Amendment Bill, a summary of which has already been published; was on top qt -the Order Paper for its second reading, and as soon as this was ascertained a number of members who were opposed to some of the provisions of the bill organised a stonewall, in which the Opposition and the loft Wing were to go solidly together. This came to the knowledge of the diplomatic Postmaster-General, and to avoid the difficulty he moved to postpone consideration of the bill that he might consult with the members who weTe in opposition to the measure. Some members, Sir Joseph said, feared that the bill would be retroactive, and that it would affect the four Christchurch officials; That was not correct, and when members understand the bill he believed they would agree to it. It would not, as some members thought, interfere with cable stations, except in time of war.

Mr Taylor said that the latter part of the bill seemed to be one long cry of vengeance against the Christchurch officials, while Mr Harding said that it would establish a reign of terror amongst post'office officials. On the contrary, said Sir Joseph Ward, the post office officials had asked for it.

Mr Moss objected to the severity, of the punishments. Why not make every offence against the bill a capital one? After further discussion Sir J. Wand's motion j for the postponement of the bill was agreed to on the voices. JOTTINGS.

During .the three years ended 31st July, 1905, the Railway Department has rejected 305 applicants for position-, as medically unfit, and 47 as being unable to furnish the educational certificate-

District Judge Ward retires on a pension of £600 per annum. The loss of graduated land tax caused by the subdivision of large estates among relatives of the owners for the ten years from Ist April, 1895, to 21st March, 1905, is £9153 10/9.