News and Views.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 3, 28 September 1907, Page 8

News and Views.

JOTTINGS FROM THE PRESS GALLERY, Mr. E. G. Allen (Chalmers) asked the Premier on Wednesday whether ho will through His Excellency the Governor' approach tho British Admiralty with a view of arrangements being made for the services, whon possible, ot ships of tho Australian Squadron boing available, without specially Referring to tho Homo authorities, for searching for ovcrduo vessels on the Tasman Sea. Tho Premier replied that the matter was under the control of the Admiral of tho Australian Squadron, who upon air occasions had readily afforded valuablo assistance and, ho was sure,-would continue to do so. Tho award of the Arbitration Court as regards rates of pay has been given effect to in. the Government Printing Office; said the Minis'ter of Labour on Wednesday in reply to a question from " T.. Wilford. Mr. Field asked tho Minister of Lands, "Whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Horowhenua County Council at its last mooting, protesting against the facilities alleged to exist, enabling lessees in' perpetuity by the conditions of their tenure I ,to.incur debts to timber 'merchants, 1 ironmongers, and other tradesmen, without affording- any hope, of recovery of same in tho caso of unscrupulous lessees; and whether, if rascality has been and is being practised by certain lessees on' tradesmen-as suggested,, the Minister will introduce legislation to prevent the continuance and recurrence of such a'" doplorablo condition of tilings?" The Hon. R. M'Nab replied:—"No copy of the resolution, passed by the Hoiuwhenua 'Count}Council has yet reached me, nor am I aware, that lessees in perpetuity havo -such exemption as is stated, bcyorid lessees of. village-homestead allotments under Section 109 of The Land Act, 1892. Tho ordinary lessees in perpetuity are subject to precisely the same conditions and liabilities as other tenants.of Crown land, and it is only in the case of certain village sottlcrs who wero allotted land under special conditions that Parliament lias : protected their • improvements against seizure for debt." , Mr. J.. C. Thomson (Wallace) asked tho Premier on Wednesday if tinGovernment would introduce legislation with a. view of promoting the construction of tramways in districts where the'settlers were prepared to rate thomselves to provide interest on tho capital required. Tho question, replied tho Premier, was an important ono and would receive full .consideration. Tho Public Petitions Committee recommends that a sum of £50 shoulo 'bo granted to Eliza Stevenson, of Wellington, as further compensation for the death of her husband. '