POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19161, 18 November 1927, Page 10

POLITICAL NOTES

[THE PBEBB Sp*i»l

WELLINGTON, German Scientists. Attention to the activity 6 , tl . German scientists who arrtwa .[ Dominion recently to proepHf fol posits of oil was directed in w to-day, when Mr W. A. Tdtci nffi nui) asked the Minister for any special facilities had vjr"? U to them. a The Minister replied in the adding that he understood tSft scientists had come to the ** the invitation of a iiJSSjJg Melbourne, and which had LSj'i prospecting rights. The GoS®* had nothing to do with the US'? any way. '"V U The Nelson System. To-day Mr Yeitch gave notice 1» the House of Representatives of hi, £ tention to ask the Minister for tion if he would introduce legialuto this session to place the positionbk gard to the use of the Nelson Bjit« of religious instruction in State Btii2 beyond doubt. ™ Contributory Negligence. Where by the fault of two or noji persons damage or loss is caused to or more of them, the liability to.aih good the damage or loss shtU proportion to the degree in which«£ of the persons concerned is at jfafc: This is the principal clause in th« (W tributory Negligence Bill introdnecih the Legislative Council to-day by At Hon. Mr MacGregor. Tlje Bill proyito that where it is not possible to ett& lish different degrees of fault, tie s■' ability is to be apportioned equally' h jury actions. The amount of dauM#, and the degrees of fault wUI be mfc. tions of fact for them to decide 9nl«j| the Judge otherwise directs. ThellM. ity for the payment of costs is to ft in the same proportion as the liabißk for damage. Efficiency Pirst. ! ~ Efficiency rather than seniority ia.ta be the deciding factor in promotions it" the Public Service if legislation iiitto. duced into the House of by Governor-General's Message life'& night becomes law. In explaining that the above wasmi of the provisions of the Bill, the Print Minister, in reply to a «ld. that seniority and efficiency counted It both things were equal, bat the prewtt proposal was to make efficiency . ihi predominant factor., Other clauses in the Bill songht tt allow the readmission to the Service t( exempted officers, of the interchange o( staffs between Departments on tive principle, the appointment of fa puties to officers possessing styutoty powers, and to provide for an enquiry into the conduct of officers outdty Service hours. The Prime Minister said that as ojk portiinity would be given for ,i]i| Public Service Association to exprqk its views on the Bill, most of clauses of which it had already dorsed. Another Bill introduced was the way Bill which brings' that; Departed; into line with other Departments fi|; regard to staff matters, and removes ttf power of Ministerial veto. 'Vs '" r ! " /• </ •