POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11945, 14 July 1904, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

•- (SPECIAL TO "THE I'RF.SS.") WELLIXOTOX. July 13RAILWAY MATTERS. Replying to Mr Taylor, the Minister of Railways said that adding the provincial service to the time on which superannuation is paid to railway employees would increase the Liability Fund considerably. Tho question as to whether any amendment is to bo made Is now before Cabinet. Tlie Minister told Mr Witty that instructions had been given to have the Papanui railway station lighted with gas. UNIVERSAL OLD AGE PENSIONS. Replying to a question by Mr T. E. Taylor" with regard Io universal old age pensions, tho Premier said the colony at tho present time was paying over £200.000 to old ago. pensioners. If the Act were made general in its application the probabilities wero that the amount required might cause a revulsion of feeling, and tend to all being deprived of the great benefits now enjoyed. He would make inquiries as to what the cost would be if the old age poii'sion wero made universal, and also what the increased amount would be if made, payable to women at sixty instead of sixty-five. THE JUICE OF THE GRAPE. The Minister for Lands, replying to a question by Mr Bedford aa to whether the Government had considered the advisability of removing the duty or prohibition on the importation, of grapes into tho colony, so that this best of foods might be brought within the reach of all classes in tho community, said that the question was one of great importance, and to have, the abuse that was heaped upon the juice of this delicious fruit removed, he thought it would not be out of place to have thus matter considered and reported on by a Select Committee. FRUIT CAXXIXG. The Minister for Lands stated to-day that the question of subsidising or otiwnviw assisting the fruit canning industry in tho colony had been referred to Mr Jaques, the newly-appointed fruit preserving expert. JOTTINGS. Tlio Premier says that the Shops and Offices Act, 1894, covers the case of hotels selling cigarettes, tobacco, etc., on halfholidays, when the tobacconists aro closed. The question of providing that on the drop-curtains of theatres there be printed in largo letters the means of exit, number of doors, etc., so as to provide against panic, is r.ow under the consideration of tho Government. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. In reply to a question by Mr Rutherford regarding a prosecution for non-atten-dance at schools, tho Premier stated that it. hiid been ascertained that the prosecutions were undertaken by the committee of the Mangmaku Native School. Whether or not there was legal ground for them would of course ho decided by the Court. Tho Government could give no authoritative ruling on the point". Seeing that the school at present afforded the only' means of education in the district, it would be a matter for regret if tho residents were not to take advantage of it. SUMNER RIFLE RANGE. Mr Rhodes asked the Minister of Defence what steps he intended to take to. reopen the Sumner riflo range, and failing that range being available for the use of volunteers, what other facilities he intended to provido to enable the necessary class firing to bo carried out this year by the volunteers in tlie Christchurch district. The Minister replied that the question of providing a rifle range for Sumner had received tho attention of the Government. There was no other range at which class firing could be carried out. JOTTINGS. It will be some months yet before the location of tho Arthur's Pass route for tho Midland railway is definitely settled. The Minister for Agriculture states that tho quantity of dairy produce for shipment from Timaru hardly warrants the establishment of a grading store there. NOTES AND MEMORANDA. ■» The Christchurch Cycling snd Motor Club will entertain the visiting competitors in the Timaru to Ohristchurch road race at a smoke concert on Saturday. Mr W. W. Collins will deliver a free lecture to-night at the Canterbury Hall on "No License, No Liquor, is it a Sound Proposition." The annual meeting of the Sydenham Working Men's Club will take place on Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Social Hall. A special meeting of the members of the Licensed Victuallers' Association will be held at Hobbs'a Buildings on Monday at 3 p.m. A women's meeting will be held to-night at the Choral Hall, when Nurse Maude will give particulars with reference to her proposal for the establishment of a consumptive camp for women.