NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 237, 30 June 1908, Page 9

NEWS AND NOTES.

"AN IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION." , NEW ZEALAND'S .HIGHER STATUS. Buried almost out of sight in tho Goverr nor's 'Speech is an anriouncomont of real importance. It is as follows:—f'Consequent on strong representations made by my Prime 'Minister when in- London, New Zealand lias now been placed in tho same po-sition-as tho Dominion of Canada with respect to the important constitutional question of the Royal Assent to BillB." The meaning of this is that a largo class of Bills which, under the conditions, hitherto obtaining would have been reserved for tho consideration of the Home Government may now bo assented to by tho' Governor. Only a very restricted class of measures having real imperial or international significance •' will in future have to be transmitted overseas for His Majesty's approval. Evidently when the Home Government granted Sir Joseph Ward's request to make Now Zealand a Dominion, there was more in the- question than was generally known. The secret has been well kept, but it has at last been proved that Now Zealand's increaso of status is much more than a more matter of names.

QUESTIONS AND NOTICES OF MOTION. . Mr. Tanner (Avon) is to move for a return showing — (1) Tho titles, publishers, and prices of all tho books used in tho primary ' schools of tho Dominion which havo been sanctioned for uso by the Education Department, and distinguishing those written or compiled by persons who arc, or at any time havo been in tho service of any Education Board j in New Zealand; and 'X 2) the books in uso in each of tho Education Districts of the Dominion, and distinguishing whether they aro included in the preceding list or not; . / ■ Mr. Flatman wants to know the number of lady inspectors of 'maternity homes and orphanages within the Dominion; if they aro married, single, or widows; ana the numbor of years they , havo been in tho" service, Mr. Ell has asked for a list of the shareholders in the Bank of New Zealand, Mr. T. K. Sidey has brought forward the Musicians Bill, which was dropped last session. It will be remembered this Bill was considerably altered' by the Conference of Musicians at Wellington some months ago, and then handed over for Mr. Sidey's pilotage. . j Mr Sidey is going to ask for the appointment of a committee to consider the present • nomenclature of towns, places, and geographical characteristics in the Dominion, with a view of suggesting alterations or improvements in such nomenclature, and to report thereon to tho House, " with power to call for persons and papers." ; Mr..Davoy lias an interesting question, to ask the Minister for' Lands •—"'Whether it is intended this session- to amend Tho Land Laws . Amendment Aot,_ 1907, by repoaliug Clauso SO, which provides that preference shall (bo given to employees who have been continuously omployed for fivo years on an cstato purchased by tho Crown?" Mr. Vlatman has also a similar'question to ask. "■Will.tho Primo Minister introduco legislation this session to enablo a Colonial vote with a baro majority to ba takon on tho liconsing question?" is a question by Mr. Hanan (Invercargill).

Mr. Rosa is to ask tho Government "Whether thojr will this session so amend the Gorernmont Valuation of Land Act that in future land values as assessed for taxation purposes will bo based on what tho land is capable of producing instead of sale-values as at preuont, with full valuation being allowed for improvements?" "Land-values," statos Mr. Ross, "according to Government valuors aro, it is assorted, increasing by leaps and bounds, notwithstanding tho low prices ranging for only main products. Improvements are also being shamefully, undervalued."'

Notico was given yesterday of fourteen prirato and local Bills. Those include some old acquaintances. They wore as follows: — Tapanui County Bill (Mr. W. Fraser), West-, port Harbour Act Amondmont Bill (Mr. Colvin), Public Works 1003 Amendment Bill (Mr: Izard), Duty on Flour Abolition Bill (Mr. Hogg), Oamaru Town Hall and Gasworks Sites and Recreation Reserves bill (Hon. T. .Y. Duncan), Quackery Prevention Bill (Mr. Hornsby), New Plymouth Harbour Board Empowering Bill (Mr. Okoy), Musicians Bill (Mr. Sidey), Municipal Corporations Act 1900 Amendment Bill (Mr. Sidoy), Oamaru Harbour Board Loan Bill (Hon. T. Y. Duncan), Licensing Polls A&roluJo Majority Bill (Mr, Lauronson), Christchurch City Sanitation Empowering Bill (Mr. Gray), Marriages Validation Act Amendment Bill (Sir W. J. Steward), Auctioneers Amendment Bill (Mr. Witty).'

Mr. Buddo is teking the Minister for Lands whether he will make better provision for settlers with a small amount of capital taking up land under tho Land for Settlements Act ? ' Mr. Buddo states' that thero

lias been very little opportunity for this class of settlement either at Otekaiko or Culverden ballots, the division of those estates making it impossible for any ono but fairly wealthy applicants applying. Mr. Fisher wants to know whether tho Prime Minister will ascertain when tho Public Service Classification Board proposes to gazette tho provisional classification _of the Civil Service, as provided under Section 7 of tho Public Service Classification Act, 1907. Mr. Barber is to ask tho Minister for Lands whether he will favourably, consider a proposal to amend the Land for Settler ments Act, with the view of acquiring areas of land in proximity to' populated centres to be divided into small allotments and leased for tlio. purposo of market-gardening. . Mr. Hanan is going to ask the Minister for Lands if ho will establish an experimental farm in Southland.

Mr. Field is to ask the Minister for Public Works whether, now that tho North Island Main Trunk line is approaching completion, and the Wcllington-Mantnvatu Railway is, about to become State property, ho will give a placo in the schedule to tho Railways Authorisation Bill this sessiqn to tho Lovin-Foxton-Stratford , deviation of tho Main Trunk line, tho construction of which will save about fifteen miles in the distance and an hour in tho time between Wellington and. Auckland. JOTYINCS. : It is understood' that during the Session Mr. F. E. Baume, M.P., will introduce a Bill in connection with tin? numerous _.coniplaints of late made by mothors of children that they arc practically. ' boycotted by hotels, boardinghouses, and ■ house agents, and that they are-compelled to take lodgings in fourth-rate places, while in travelling by train or' steainors the attitude of first-class passengers practically drives tho woman who is doing her duty to the State to seek refug'o for herself and littlo ones in second-class compartments.

Mr. R. R. Martin, tho organising, secretary of tho Opposition party, in tho course of'a conversation with an Auckland "Star" reporter, expressed a sanguine feeling with regard to tho likely result of tho general elections. "I have no hesitation," said Mr. Martin, "in forecasting that .tho result of tho elections will bo: the - material strengthening of tho Opposition I cannot speak with any particular -assuranco of what is likely to happen in tho cities,, because, my work has been confined to the country. From personal observation I am satisfied that tho same support which was accorded the late Mr. Seddon will not :bo>extended to those advocating tho Ward policy. In tho country I find a. strong feeling that Mr. Massoy has been doing a' great work,..and there is an inclination to encourage him by giving'him a stronger following in the Houso. This I can also say," added Mr. Martin: "Th'ero will bo far more Opposition candi-dates-taking the field than the Hon. Mr. M'Nab seems to realise,'and, any hesitation at tho present time is entirely duo to the fact that more than one gentleman has offered'himself for selection, and names' are boing held' back until an amicable arrangeI mcnt has been arrived at.-' <

Mr. A. R., Barclay, . who left Dunedin for 'Wellington yesterday, is liardly in accord with tho view of somo members that the session is going to be a Tory short one; ; Apropos of tho many rumours current in referenco to the Wairau seat and probable candidates (says' the "Marlborough Express"), there is somo authority for the statement given'hero, that in the event of Mr. Duncan declining to stsfad as tho Opposition candidate Mr. D'Arcy Chaytor will bo choson to contest tho seat in the samo interest. ' • ' ! '■ In the courso of his remarks yesterday afternoon, tho Primo Minister made referenco to the death during tho session of Mr. Curtis, a messenger of tho Houso of Representatives. Thy deceased had been a trusted, official of tho House for many years, and deep sympathy would bo folt with his relatives and friends. Tho Leader -of the Opposition also sympathetic referenco to the death of Mr. Curtis. ' j The Address-in-Reply in the Council will bo moved by tho Hon. 0. Louisson, and seconded by the Hon.'J. Rigg. The annual meeting of tho Press Gallery was held on tho rising of Parliament yesterday afternoon. > Mr. F. K. Reeves was elected president for the ensuing year, and Mr. W. D. Lusty vice-president. The retiring president, Mr. .E. Schwabe, was accorded a' hearty vote of thanks for his past services, Bpecial mention being made of his efforts to secure tho best possible' available accommodation for those engagod in reporting tho proceedings of Parliament in its present temporary home. A Dominion reporter was given to understand that Mr. W. Lissant Clayton; who stood in tho Opposition interest for tho Gisborno soat at . the last general election, will' not como forward on this occasion. There will now probably be a' straight-out contest between tho Hon. J. Carroll arid Mr. G. Darton, Labour candidate. (BY TELEGEATH—PEES3 ASSOCIATION.) Nelson, Juno 29; Mr. P. Smith, of Hope, a member of the Education Board, and Mr. Harry Atmore, twice previously a candidate, are announced as candidates for tho Nelson seat; their politics are mainly Independent. Mr. Graham, the sitting member, will seek re-election;