PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 164, 11 July 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

Speaking in the Legislative Council this afternoon, the Hon. John Rigg "referred to the slaughtermen's strike. He said that he did not wish to encourage law-breaking, but the law the slaughtermen had broken had been a bad law. It iiad been passed in a hurry, and those who had voted against section 15, making strikes illegal, had not been surprised at what had happened. Vagrants should be made to work, but not free men. It was nothing short of tyranny to compel a man to work under the conditions of a particular award when he had no voice in framing the terms of that award. Public opinion would not tolerate men being put into prison for refusing to work under conditions that were repulsive to them. Tlie administration of the Act had almost brought it to its last gasp, and unless the present judge of the Courf took a broad view of things, the Act would fail. The Act was, however, a good Act, and only required. good' administration to be successful still. AVOIDING A TAX.

As an indication of how subdivision of large estates lias been going on during the last twelve years, the return submitted by the Land and Income Tax Department, showing the loss of graduated land tax, caused by subdivision of estates among relatives of owners is of interest. The total loss of tax in round figures is £28,180. DRIFTING LOGS. With a view of minimising the danger to shipping in the Northern Wairoa River, caused by drifting logs, the member for Kaipara, Mr. Stallworthy, made certain suggestions to the Minister of Labour, who replied that a condition could be inserted in the timber floatage licenses to provide for the keeping of a register of the logs put into streams, and of the number taken out to be cut up at the mills; but it is a matter for doubt whether there is power to compel the registration of log brands and the use of registered brands only. TEACHERS' SALARIES. "The Government is not prepared during the present session to make any change in the existing scale of teachers' salaries," states the Minister for Education. "During the past six years these salaries have been increased to the extent of the difference between £3 3/11 and £3 17/10 per unit of the average attendance." He hopes to improve the scale still further, but the precise way in which this can be done is not a question that can be settled immediately. The Minister, replying to another query, stated that he was giving a good deal of attention to the question of increasing the stability of teachers' salaries. He took the opportunity of explaining that, in ascertaining the yearly average attendance on which the schools are graded, liberal provision is made for excluding all school days on which the attendance is below a fair mean percentage. The staff of a school cannot be reduced unless there has been a considerable fall in the average attendance for at least three quarters; and, further, the yearly average attendance in any school must show a considerable fall for two consecutive years belore the salary of any of its teachers can be reduced. SWEATED GOODS NOT WANTED. The Premier's attention having been directed to the fact that a considerable quantity of sweated goods is imported I into New Zealand, he replied that, although there was evidence that some of the better class of goods shown in the " sweated industries exhibit" were brought to the colony, such as children's and boys' clothing, children's and baby's boots and shoes, it was the general opinion of experts that most of the goods were too shoddy for colonials, and the clothing worn here, even by the poorest, was superior in texture and workmanship to that shown in the exhibit. It would be a most difficult task to trace where imported clothing was made, and as long as there was a demand for cheap clothing, some of the importations were bound to be made in "sweating" dens. RAILWAY-MEN'S REQUIREMENTS. The question of the pay of the various classes of railway employees will be reviewed in connection with the amendments to the Classification Act which, as already announced, will be placed before the House during the present session. It is impossible at present to increase the percentage of the permanent hands in the Railway Department, the Minister states, but a large number of additions are to be made to the permanent staff during the year. JOTTINGS. The Government have had no recen. proposal from the V. ellington-Manawatu Railway Company, and though the acquisition of the line would be desirable, it is not essential for the colony to give notice of intention to acquire it," states the Premier. " The Government, however, is quite prepared to enter into ne-o-otiations for the purchase of this line ff the directors of the company are disposed to place it under oiler at a fair price to the Colony. Post Office accommodation at Hikurangi has recently heen improved, and it is considered that there is no immediate necessity for the erection of a separate Post Office.

Legislation provimng that Chinese, shall no longer be allowed to land in order to settle in New Zealand will be submitted this session.

It is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Friendly Societies Act Amendment this session. The bill was reported upon by a committee ol the, Friendly Societies Conference, held in Wellington last year, and the amendments suggested by the Conference will, where practicable, be provided for in the bill.

Replying to a query from Mr. Gray (Christchurch) as to whether the Government would establish a school for the blind in the South Island, the Hon. Geo. Fowlds stated that the Government has at present no such intention. The institution iv Auckland is providing mainly out of its own resources a building that will afford ample accommodation for all present necessities.

Mr. Lang (Manukau) declared that there was universal dissatisfaction with the high charges for using the telephone. The cost of installing an instrument at Onehunga included £35 for the line alone, while £12 was charged annually for maintenance.

The Council of Defence has recommended that a classification of the rates of pay and allowances of the permanent force shall be introduced. The question will be dealt with in the defence report.

The Government intends making inquiry in order to consider a suitable recognition of the meritorious services

performed by Constable McCarthy and the Willison brothers, of Kawhia, also Constable Dick, of Mokau, in going to the assistance of the survivors' of the s.s. Kia Ora, on June 13th.

The Hon. W. C. Smith (Hawke's Bay) was elected Chairman of Committe.of the Legislative Council.