POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11021, 19 July 1901, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

(SFSCZAI* TO -i.'kJS VHESB.")

WELLINGTON, July 18. PRODUCERS' UNION CATCHES A TABTAK. Th« Producers' Union went fishing for Parliamentary patronage to-day, but landed a very different kind of fish, and it is extremely doubtful whether tha catch will be published through official channels. It will be remembered that this organisation was launched last Saturday at Pahiatua by the Premier and his party as a corrective to that pernicious Farmers' Union, which was feared to be sapping the moral or rather Liberal force of toe fai mers. A numerously attended meeting of members of the House, convened by Mr Moore, organising secretary of the Producers' Union, was heid in the Mines Committee room this evening, iJx It. Meredith presiding. .Mr 3loore explained the abjects and pJaHorm of the organisation, and tlien invited suggestions and advice from the niemoers present. Mr Massey proposed "That -this meeting of members of th-s House of Representatives, while thanking Mr Moore for his address and for the work he lias done ia the interests of farmers, recommends, the Producers' Union to join with the Farmers' Union, so that the two Unions may become one Association and work together in the interests of the country s«ettlers of the colony as a whole." Messrs Piraui. Russell, O'Jleara, and J. Allen spoke in support, and the motion was adopted unanimously. Althougii the promoters at the new organisation deprecated party politics in the platform of the Farmers' Union, it was palpable that this evening's meeting was an attempt to have the Producers' Union stamped with Parliamentary approval. The result must have been somewhat disconcerting to tho promoters of the new Union. j A QUESTION OF. PRECEDENCE.

Tbe vexed question of precedence is again engaging tba attention of the Premier. It is said tha,t his Excellency the Governor and Mr Seddon do, not agree on the subject. The point is whether tbe Chief Justice and Lady Stout are to taJce precedence of Mr and lure Seddon in connection with a Club function held when the Imperial troops were'here. Lady Stout claimed precedence over the Premier's wife. Mrs Seddon, however, is said to be equally determined not to give way to the wife of the Chief Justice. The question has no doubt by this time been referred to the Home authorities.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT MINING COMPANIES.

Mr Herbert Ernest Easton, of WestonSupermare and Taunton, now and for many years past an honourable member of ith'a Devonshire County Club, and at present a member of the Otago Club, is petitioning I ariiament regarding mining and dredging companies in which he and others have invested. He makes many allegations, stating among other things that a large number of shares Lad been "dummied" by promoters. The commission on these shares, which only existed on paper, was, he says, charged and received out of the moneys obtained from the genuine shareholders. He makes specific allegations regarding certain companies, and states that in several dredging companies the capital is being utilised for purposes other than those for which the public subscribed it, and that no genuine attempt is being made to carry out the purport of the prospectuses. He points out that the Press cannot hilly expose the frauds that are practised bscause of the libel laws that exist in New Zealand. He therefore asks Parliament to amend th« law relating to such companies. JOTTINGS.

Mr Wiiford expressed the conviction that Mr Ct. W. Russell -d'kl not. know .what he was talking about when h<; was speaking on the Cycle Boards Bill. "And I don't think he rides a bike," added the member for Wellington Suburbs. "I'll race you to the Hutt, retorted Mr Russell. "Ah!" said Mr Wiiford, "he makes that challenge because he knows I can't hold him responsible for what he says in this Houise, but if be will repeat it outside and put up £5 for some charity I will accept it quickly and readily." The idea of a "scorch*" from here to the Hutt between the two hon. members tickled the House.

Mr R. G. Knight, o£ Wellington, "father of twelve children, six girls and six boys," in presented! to Parliament tochy states that, ifc would be a Rood policy to grant the parentaof seven children and over a perpetual lease of 100 acres of land, at a nominal rental. In the case of widows with seven children and over he thinks a sum of money should be added according to their necessities.

Mr Buddo to-night referred to "the Hon. Minister who represents .education in this House." One or two mem here promptly imterjected, "No Hon. Minister in this House represents Education," whereat other hon. members laughed at the expense of Ministers.

The Government has decided to make improvements afc the Morere Hot Springs, Poverty Bay. The proposed works will include the enlargement of the present baths, the construction r,i a swimming pool, a new bathing house, and a large reservoir. For the thirteenth consecutive session Mr Frank Lawry has been cCected chairman of the Stock Committee.

The Horn. \v\ Jennings is to ask the Government whether they will give effect, as soon as possible, to the unanimous opinion of .both Houses that a training ship should ■be established for New Zealand boys.

Mr Fisher is also to ask the Premier whether the Government will purchase and equip a training ship for the education of the youth of the colony in seamanship. Mr Fisher thinks the southern Main Trunk line should be completed to soms point m Cook btrait, so as to join with the Island Alain Trunk line by means of a fast ferry service across Cook Strait, and intends to ask the Premier if he will submit proposals to the House on the question. Mr Millar is to asm the Premier if he will, at an early date during this session, submit, to the House the Government's proposals as to the representation of tie colony at the coronation of his Majesty in England in June next.

Mr Pi rani wants to know whether the Colonial Treasurer is aware that the conditions attached to the bonus for preserved milk limits the award of such bonus to one firm, and whether fee will alter those conditions so as to allow open competition for the bonus?

Tiie railway authorities have promised Mr Buddo to have a report prepared on the lighting of the Rangiora railway .station, with -a view to providing more 'lamns to sufficiently light that station. Mr Collins is to ask the Minister for Railways if the improvements in, the accommodation for parcels and luggage at the Clmstchurch railway station, which he said last session were contemplated, had been earned out. and, if not, when mioh improvements wflt probably be made? Mr Collins also wishes to ascertain if the enquiries of the. Department, with reference to the carriage of bicycles by rail, has resulted m t,.~ adoption of aaiv improvements with regard to such oonvevance.