PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 254, 24 October 1907, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(By Telegraph.—"Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. OLD AGE PENSIONS. Mr. Poland-has asked the Premier whether he will so amend the Old Age Pensions Act as to,allow persons whose income during the preceding year amounted to £60 or over, and who then become incapacitated rrom earning a' living, to become eligible for the pension, provided they are qualified in other respects. The Premier's reply was that it was not the intention of the Government to introduce any amendment to the Old Age Pensions Act this year, the provisions of which were, the most liberal in Australasia. The question of arriving at the manner in which income should be determined was a most difficult one, and the provisions of section 12 of the Act of 1898 were framed to equitably meet the majority of the cases dealt with, and the question, which was not a new one, would, however, receive attention when the next amendment of the Act was contemplated. THE PIAKO ROUTE; In consequence of the Lands Department having decided to throw open the Piako lands for settlement, the public Works Department was asked to mark out ttfe strip of land that would be required in the event of the East Coast Railway being constructed along this route, and some months ago the Government issued instructions for the necessary survey to be taken in hand with as little delay as possible. LIGHT RAILWAYS. "Cheaply constructed light railways," states the Minister for the Department, "can be built on 3ft Gin gauge, at only a trifling advance on the cost of 2ft gauge lines. The difference in cost is affected very much more by the style of construction adopted, than by the breadth of the gauge. The matter of the construction of "light railways" is one that has been under the consideration of the Government for some time past, but expert opinion is altogether against reducing the gauge." ASYLUM ATTENDANTS' HOURS. Replying to Mr. Bollard, who stated that there was great discontent among asylum attendants owing to long hours and salaries which would not compare favourably with those paid by private employers, the Minister for Public Health stated that very considerable concessions -were granted in 1905, both with respect to holidays and salary. These met with general approval at the time, and there were no indications that the satisfaction had been short lived. As a matter of fact circumstances had not altered since 1905, when the new regulations were well received, and no other judgment could be passed on them without a more extended trial. In the interval there had been very few resignations among the senior attendants, and none, to the knowledge of the Department, had left " because higher salaries can be obtained from private employers." It should not be forgotten tirat the attendants' salaries carried such emoluments as, board, lodging, washing, uniforms, and house allowance for married men, and the holidays granted should be placed against the longer working hours, or, to be more correct, the hours the attendants were on duty. JOTTINGS. The Minister for Railways regrets that the improvement of Te Aroha Station cannot be undertaken until other more urgent work is done.