NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 241, 4 July 1908, Page 7

NEWS AND NOTES.

THE FIRST DIVISION. ' Thero was somo amusement in connection with the first division. Tlio bells tinkled, over the whole of Government Hou3o and across the "tuppenny tube" in tho Old Parliament House, the place "liko.a pig with one car," as Sir William Steward says. Ono curious individual peered out through tho tubo to catch sight of fat members sprinting across from tho' Library, but tho evening was too early' for any to havo. settled themselves there, and none came. Messengers, wellinstructed, hustled and bustled down stairways and along corridors into the main passage; wliero stand tho division lobby doors— grocn baize screen arrangements that have to bo swung to. Messengers aro mostly elderly and oxcitable, nnd they stood in tho manner of sis cooks over one pot of broth, ready to fold together the baizo doors. " Lock the doors I" The screens were folded up across the.passages, forming two completo compartments, and the littl'o bolts wore shot homo into tho floor. " The ayes will go to tho right and tho noes to tho left," directed Mr. Speaker.' 1 "Eh! which is right?" asked a moniber. •"! However, tho lobt>y doors were labelled "aye'-' and "no," and members trooped out. obediently. Tho tellers took their posts, members 'trooped quietly back again and wero checked, and tho first division in the new premises was recorded in much tho samo way as thousands bavo been in the past. \ ' COMMITTEES SET UP, Yesterday both Houses set up their various sessional committoos. Tho majority aro constituted tho samo as last. year. Tho Labour Bills Committee of tho Lower House comprises Sir J. G. Ward and Messrs. Alison, Arnold, Barber, Bollayd, Ell, Hardy, Poolo, Tanner, and tho Hon. J. A. Millar. They aro to havo referred to them " tho Workers' Compensation for _ Accidents Bill nnd certain other bills relating to labour." Mr. Massey wanted the words " and certain other" delotcd, and to havo all labour bills referred to them. Tho Prime Minister moved that tho Com. mittco to examiuo and report upon such questions relating to the public accounts as are referred to it bo Mossrs. E. G. Allen, J. Allen, Colvin, Flatman, W. Eraser; Graham, Laurenson, M'Nab, Mills, and tho mover. Mr. J. Allen cwimlnined that Mr. Massoy's name was not included. Mr. Massey complained that this most important of committees had not power to call for persons or papers. Sir Joseph Ward said the Committee had tho same powers that had bccu conferral upon it sinco tho first sitting of Parliament. Ho showed the-necessity for observing tho utmost secrecy regarding financial matters for tho welfaro of tho country. Informs tiou coming out might bo utilised for money-making purposes. Some matter a had

to be kept strictly secret between Cabinet nnd the Treasury. It was tho same as in tho caso of a company and its directors.

Mr. Fisher has given notice to move for a return showing tho total amount received by way of grant from tho late Queen Victoria and her successor for tho benefit of the Native people; and the nianner .iu which sucli grant has been disposed of.

Mr. Hogg , wants a train servico that will enable tho residents of Mauricevillo, Ekotahuna, and the district north of Mastertoin to reach Wellington, transact businessin the city, and return homo in ono day, instead of the trip involving two days as at prosent. '

Sir. Wood suggests (through tho medium of a quostion on the Ordor Paper) that the Government should procure two largo and fast up-to-dato steamers run between ■ n ellington and Lyttolton, ■ and also have arrangements made for tho train to run to the steamer's side at Wellington wharf' as it does at Lyttelton.

Mr. Barbor is interesting himself in tho guard at present mounted at tho Government Buildings, and wants to know if it 13 to bo maintained during the. winter. Ho suggests the crection of a weather-proof building to accommodato the guard in placo of tents, which are at present erected on a damp and unhealthy, site.

Mr. A. R. Barclay (Dunedin North) arrived from tho South yesterday morning.- .

Tliore aro estimated to bo three hundred workers, who, leaving off work at 5 p.m., have to wait from twenty minutes to half-an-hour for .1 train from Hutt to Wellington, states Mr. Izard,' and 110 is asking the Minister for Railways whether he can seq his way to so amend tho railway timc-tablo from Hutt to Wcllingtmi that these workers may have better facilities; for returning home P

Mr. Wilford has given notice of motion to have the second reading of the Wellington Harbour Board Reclamation and Empowering Bill taken oil Tuesday. ,

Mr. Massoy is to ask tho Minister for Railways, whether,, in view of the regulations under tho Dairy Industry Act, which pi'ovido that certain premises used for dairying purposes must have concrete floors and channels, he will, arrange for gravel and scoria being carried ( for ,tlio use '■ of dairy farmers at the.same rates now charged' to local bodies ? ■'

Neither of tho Maori members is as yet in attendance in tho ■ Legislative Council. Tho Hon. Wi l'eie was yesterday granted two weeks' leave of absonco on urgent private affairs. ,

Tho Attorney-General (Hon. Dr. Findlay) gave notice of the following Bills yesterday: —Imperial Courts Procedure, Declaratory Judgments, Corporation Contracts, Law Practitionors' Amendment, Judiciary, Statutes Interpretation Amendment, Town Boards' Amendment.

THE NELSON SEAT. (BY TELEGRAM:—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

: : Kelson, July 3. Mr! Harry Atmore, a candidate'for tho Nelson City seat, speaking at > mooting list night, denied that ho : was standing :as an Independent. Liberal; as had been .reported in tho Press throughout tho Dominion. As in previous contests, ho wp3 going to the poll as a Government supporter. ■