POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14822, 13 November 1913, Page 11

POLITICAL NOTES.

(special to "the pßisa.") WELLINGTON, November 11. DEFENCE COMMITTEE. The Joint Committeo of Defence today asked for and was granted an extension of three weeks in which to report to the House. The Opposition facetiously suggested that tho time should bo three months. Sir Joseph Ward asked for an .assurance that the House would still be sitting in three weeks' time. Mr Statham. explained that the Committee had reached a decision that morning upon some main questions, but expected to receive some more reports before the end of tho time and present them all at once. LENGTH OF THE SESSION. In rep.y to a question from Sir Joseph Ward to-day, the Prime Minister said that at least another half a dozen Bills were te be brought down this session. Ho could not bind himselt as to this being all, but he could think of that number from momory. Mr Russell took the opportunity to criticise this remark, because, ho said, it was too _ito in the session to bring down so many new Bills. They would have to go before Committees, and would delay the end of the session, which all were anxious to promote. If the Government was going to comply with tho requests of the heads of departments for '-e-gislat'on, then they would be there all the .year round. This discussion took place upon tho introduction of a Mining Act Amendment Bill by the Hon. W. Fraser, and Sir Joseph Ward specially pleaded with the Prime Minister to give a declara--tion in detail as to how many Bids were to be proceeded with. The Opposition, he said, wero anxious to help tho Government, nnd he .himself was specially anxious to know what arrangements to make. Ho had an urgent telegram from Auckland about the Exhibition (Mr Massey: "So have I."), and he wanted to know how to reply to it. Mr Massey was not drawn into any pronouncement. * GOVI-rINMENT STEAMKRS AND THEIR CREWS. Speaking during the discussion on questions this afternoon, tho Hon. F. M. B. -Fisher stated that th© crews of the Government steamers would in future be mad© permanent officers of tho Marine Department. They would receivo regular pay and holidays, and b_ under tho superannuation scheme. That, he contended, would prevent an occurrence similar to that just experienced, when the men of the Hinemoa were the first seamen to join tho strike. STREET TELEPHONES. ' The Post and Telegraph Act Amendment Bill was reported to-day from the Public Accounts Committeo with one amendment, which gives the Post-master-General power to erect and maintain on any road or stree*- roJ«v phone cabinets, provided that they do not interfere with tlie ordinary traffic thereon. JOTTINGS. Ministers state that the capital funds of the Dominion are more urgently required for development purposes than for the-acquisition of a State shipping service. The Government will consider the advisability of including tho Chatham Islands in a New Zealand constituency, so that the inhabitants may be represented in Parliament.