POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16018, 28 September 1917, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

(special to "the tress.") WELLINGTON, September 26. FOOD AND DRUGS ACT. The Hon. J. A. Hanan, in a printed reply to Mr J. C. Thomson, states that his attention has been drawn to the Christ church case referred to by Mr Thomson, in which the Magistrate imposed a fino of fivo shillings in a prosecution of a well-known firm of British manufacturers for an evasion of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act. Tho Minister' says: Before 1 could express a definite opinion as to the adequacy or otherwise .of the punishment inflicted, I would require to have a full report of the evidence adduced at the hearing of the case. Generally speaking, I view offences under the Food and Drugs Act as of a serious nature, and consider that substantial penalties should be imposed to prevent the person convicted from repeating the offence and to act as a deterrent to other members of the community.

EFFICIENCY BOARD.. Tho Public Petitions Committee reported to tho House of Representatives to-day that it had no recommendation to make in respect.of a petition praying for the continuance in office of tho National Efficiency Board. FIRES IN SELWYN PLANTATIONS. "Upon tho recommendation of tho Railways Committee, tho House of Representatives to-day referred to the Government for consideration tho petition of tho Selwyn Plantation Board praying for compensation for, losses sustained' by fires in plantations alleged to be caused by sparks from a railway locomotive. Speaking in support of tlie petition, Mr Dickio stated that damago to the extent of £220 had been caused to plantations belonging to the Board at Bankside and Rakaia. The Board contended that 'the fires had been caused by sparks from a railway engine. He hoped the Minister of Railways would take into consideration the damage done. A SOUTHBROOK PETITION. Upon tho recommendation of the Public Petitions Committee, the Housd of Representatives to-day referred to the Government for consideration the petition of Frank W. Minchington, of Southbrook, praying for compensation for his wife's services whilst sho resided at Te Oranga Home. FAVOURABLE CONSIDERATION. Upon the recommendation of the Public Petitions Committee, the House to-day referred to the Government for favourable consideration the petition of Edith Maude Gillies, St. Albans, praying for - a compassionate allowance for services rendered by her late liua* band whilst a rnomber of the police force.

THE FIRST.DIVISION. The Military Service Act Amendment providing for calling lip the remainder of tho First Division en bloc, was put through all its stages i Q tho Legislative Council to-day. SPEED OF MOTOR-CARS. A Ministerial reply to a question today stated that the question of introducing legislation to provide'for.regulating the speed of motors, had been under consideration for some time, but, in view of the fact, that boroughs already had that power under the Municipal Corporations Act, there was no necessity for legislation for such-local bodies to enable thom to fix the speed of motors using their streets. Other local bodies could make by-laws under the main Act, prescribing the speed in any particular place.