NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 286, 27 August 1908, Page 9

NEWS AND NOTES.

VOLUNTEERS AS COOKS. i ."It is not considered desirablo (said tho Hon. R. M'Nab, in reply to Mr. J. Allen) to make provision for refund to Volunteer corps for tho amount paid by them for cooks omployed during tho last Easter manoeuvres, or to make provision in future to meot the nocessary cost of cooking at camps of cxer- . cise. The Department considers it is an essential part of a soldier's training to know how to cook, and, however convenient the system of employing civilian cooks may bo in peaco" manoeuvi<;s, it could not bo carried out on activo service, and it is desirable to assimilate, as far as possible, during such manoeuvres the conditions to be expected in time of war. With this end in view, the method of cooking tho men's rations which must obtain in tho field should bo practised by tho Volunteers at manoeuvres.''

■ Exception to this reply was taken by tho Leader of the-Opposition,-Mr. J. Allen, and others. It was declared that-mon gave'their Ijinie to loam how to become soldiers and not cooks. Any swashbuckler could be picked up to do this work.. .It'..was one of the things that was rendering Volunteering unpopular among the young follows./ There had been grievous complaints at the last Easter manoeuvres. • AOVANGES TO SETTLERS. N Tho Government proposo this session to make some amendments in the Advances to Settlers Act, 190 S. Under tho Act thero is provision for a total borrowing of £5,000,000. It is proposed in a Bill just introduced to .extend tho limit to £6,000,000. At present there is onlv power to borrow £200,000 in one year. The Government is now asking for power to borrow up to £500,000 in any one year.

Section 4 makes it lawful for a lessee under the Lands for Settlement Act to to mortgage his lease to tho Government Advances to Settlers Office Superintendent without the recommendation of tho Laijd Board or the approval of tho Minister for Lands, and advances may be mado on tho security of any such lease. Section 5 enables a lessee or licenseo under tho Land Act to mortgage his lease or license to the Advances to Settlers Offico, although tho lease or license has been current for less than twelve months. BONED BEEF. The boned-beef export question was referred to by Mr.Okey yesterday. Ho explained, that this meat was put up in 561b. boxes. It'was then frozen, and being- solid in bulk, no doubt was not frozen right through. Consequently, when it reached England, it was in a bad condition. The Government should, insist that it be kept in the freezing chambers a certain time and at a certain temperature in much the same way as butter. , MARINE DEPARTMENT. The annual report of the Marine .Department, which was presented to Parliament yesterday, states that during the year ended March last 362 candidates for masters', mates' and engineers' certificates of profioiency passed their examinations, whilst 160 failed. Certificates were granted to 302 steamers, 77 oil-engino vessols, and 13 intercolonial sailing vessels. Tho casualties on tho New Zealand coast during the year numbered 79, representing 48,436 tons register, as comparod with 90, representing 32,166 tons, for tho previous year. The total wrecks within the Dominion numbered eight (3442 tons) as against 15 (3801 tons) for tho preceding year. Tho total numbor of. lives lost was 30, as compared with 39 for the year' previous. The amount of light duos collected during tho .year was £32,377, as compared with £32,454 during the -previous year. The cost of tho maintenance of tho Now Zealand lighthouses during tho year was £16,007. Tho fees received during tho year under tho Shipping and Seamen Acts, tho Merchant Shipping Act, the Harbours Acts, and the Soa Fisheries Acts totalled £42,8-17. The sum received in pilotage and port feo3, etc., was £95,400.

SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION. , Something more than a desiro for information seems to underlie two questions which Mr. Lewis is asking tho Minister for Labour ill regard to tho Shearers' Accommodation Bill. He inquires whether Mr. Millar will endeavour to induce his colleagues tho Minister for Riilr/ays and tho Ministor for Public Works to provide for co-operative labourers rtnd men employed upon the railways tho' same standard of accommodation as the Accommodation Bill seeks to proTide for shearersor, in tho alternative,, will I)o amend the said Bill in the direction of establishing tho same standard of accommodation for shearers as a Liberal Government provides for its employeos? Mr. Lewis also asks whether the'Ministor for Labour will arrange with tho Public Hoalth Department and tho Govormaont Printing Oflko for tho immo-

diato supply of 4302 medicine-chests and an equal number of books on first aid, so that owners of a thousand sheep or over may bo in a position to comply with the provisions of the Shearers' Accommodation Bill. The matter is of soino urgency (adds tho member for Courtenay in a "note"), as shearing will Qonimence in October. Mr. Barbor has given notice to ask tho roason for the delay in tho erection of a post oflico nt Kilbirnio, for which a sum of money was placed on tho Estimates last session. Mr. Field will ask tlio Miiiistor for Agriculture when it is proposed to erect on tlio Wcraroa Government Farm the further buildings mentioned by him some months ago; whether ho will inform tho House of the haturo of such buildings, and tho use to which it is proposed to put same; and whether it is tho intention of tho Government that this farm shall bo utilised for tho instruction of students in agriculture, or otherwise be of more extensive educational benefit to tho farming community than at present. Mr. Laurenson congratulated Mr. Massey yesterday on his reappearance in the House after his illness. "lio is liko a giant refreshed with wine," deolared Mr. Laurenson, which remark coming from a staunch Prohibitionist caused much laughter. In tho courso of some remarks in tho House yesterday afternoon Mr. Massey referred to "the treatment rccoivod by tho volunteers who assembled on tho occasion of tlio visit of the American fleet recently at Auckland." Tho volunteers who took part in the reception were, he said, a credit to tho forco, but when they arrived in Auckland what happened? Ho was thinking of the banquet given by tho Government at tlio public expense. If there was one sot of men moro than another who were entitled to bo invited to that banquet those men wero the volunteer officers as representing tho volunteer forces who were 'in Auckland at tho. time, and yet almost to tho last moment not a single invitation was offered to them, but when it was found that thero was a strong feeling about the matter a more handful of invitations was' sent to tho volunteer officers. . Only two or tlireo of them, however, turned up, and he thought it was not to be .wondered at in tho circumstances. Personally under stich treatment, even if lie had received an invitation, he would not have put in an appearance. What took place in connection with that banquet was an insult—a positive insult to the volunteers of the Dominion.

During discussion on volunteer matters yesterday afternoon several members expressed rcgrot. that greater encouragement was not given to the, cadet movement, particularly mentioning the fact that . shields won at shooting contests were not presented to and retained by the winners. The member for Wallace (Mr. Thomson) was particularly pointed in his remarks. At Auckland during fleet week, said lie, complaints were made to him that cadets had been , used to line the roads and had been kept standing all day. Tlicy were all in light clothing. Cadets were used chiefly for ceremonial purposes, and lie himself had seen them standing a,t attention shivering with cold. The cadet corps of tho Dominion had lost considerably in strength, and ho would urge that if tho lads were to ho treated in this way tho first branch of the volunteer movement would bo made unpopular and distasteful. ■

: In a petition presented by Mr. Massoy yo'storday John Peters,' of Wanganui, • asks J'arlifimbnt to take into consideration the circumstances of his committal to the Porirua Mental Hospital, and his treatment whilst there. ' It. T. Noble-Beasloy, of 'Wellington, who states that ho was for 19 years gaoler and probation officor at Wanganui,' and after losing 0110 leg was retired from the Public. Servico at' the age of 64, is petitioning Parliament. for relief. . Mr. Field lias given notice to ask the Post-master-General whether he will provide Ohariu Valloy with a daily mail-servico instead of the present very inadequate biweekly sorvice. . Mr. Wilford will ask the Minister for Education whethor ho will this session introduce such legislation as will give School Committees a real voice in the selection of teachers, so that their valuable knowledge in regard to local conditions may bo of genuine service to tho Stato. ' There are seventy-two coroners in the Dominion; according to a return presented to Parliament. The amount paid to tho coronors in cash for tho four centres for personal expenses and- fees last year was as follows Auckland £17S, Wellington, £171, Christcburch £68, and Dunediri £170. Other coroners received £413 for fees and expenses. Tho amount paid to coroners' jurors was £1661, while witnesses received £99, According to a Parliamentary return, thero have been sent into the Inveroargill district, in accordance with Section 5 of the Licensing Act, 1904, since No-Licenso came into force thore, 123,952 gallons 'of alcoholic liquors. Oamaru, since, going dry," has received in. $10 same way 29,196 gallons, 37,766 bottles, 8 barrels, 612 cases, ' lTeg, 1 jar,. -18 hogsheads, and 167 flasks of liquor. Tho Ashburton figures are: 102,982 gallons, 3330 bottles, 8788 cases.

PRICE OF COAL. INTERESTING DEBATE. "In view of the immense amount of . coal being raised in the Auckland Province and the very high charges being made it seems necessary for tho Government to step in at once and regulate matters in the interests of the people," said Mr. Poole afternoon in asking tho Minister for Mines if he intended to open up a State coalmine in tho Auckland district, and, if so, when. The Minister replied that tho question of establishing State coalmines in the Auckland district would recoive consideration should the Government decide upon any general extension of its State coalmines polcy. Just prior to this question being asked, Mr. J. C. Thomson, member for Wallace, had made the statement that as much as ss. a bag had been charged for coal in Auckland during Fleet, week. The usual price, he said, was 35., whilst in Wellington the price flas Is. 6d. Ho believed living in Auckland was dearer than in Wellington.

Mr. Poole said that certain men in tho north were doing their best to obtain control of the coal ftiarket, and to get the highest prico possible from the consumers. If they were not restrained a closo ring would bo established before long, and pcoplo would have to pay an exorbitant figure for their coal. Ho believed that an attempt was being mado to form a closo trust in.the north. Somo of tho weaker merchants (if his information was correct) had had overtures mado to them to join in tho trust, and as they had refused an attempt was now being made t;o crowd them out. The result would probably bo that tlie populace would havo to pay any l prico that might be demanded for tho coal. Tho present time was a magnificent opportunity for tho Government to step in. Ho did not wish to obliterate privato profits, hut tho companies, ho urged, should bo satisfied with fair returns.

Mr. Alison said that Mr. Poolo was absolutely incorrect when ho endoavoured to lead the Houso to bolievo that there was a coal trust in the nbrth, and that the prico of coal thcro was exorbitantly high. This statement had been corroborated to somo extent by Mr. Thomson, but ho (Mr. Alison) did not know where a charge of five shillings had been made for a bag of coal, i Mr. Thomson: It was at the house I stfiyed in. Mr. Alison: It is an extraordinary fnot. In no part of tho Dominion was coal so cheap as in 'Auckland. [' Mr.' Thomson: I paid it myself. S Mr. Alison said that the price paid by tho Railway Department for steam .coal was only 9s; Gd. at Auckland, as compared with 19s. tjo 20s. at Wellington. Mr. Poole's ambition seemed to bo to disparage and discredit rill Auckland industries. As far as tho establishment of a' State coalmine' was concerned, there was no place in New Zealand where it was so unnecessary as in Auckland. Mr., Poolo: I mado no reforonco to tho 1 ! Taupiri Company..

Mr. ■ Alison: No:' You would not 1 do it. Mr. Poole: The hon. member's,• reason..fpr. attacking mo at tho present'time is that'lic* is managing director of that" company. Mr. Speaker: The lion.; gentleman has no right to make any reference to another member's private affairs., He must ■ withdraw that. i. ~ i ■' ■■■ ...... ■ Mr. Poole: I withdraw it, sir. ' " Mr. Poland said that Sir. Poolo was correct in what ho had said. Stato coal :was sold in Wellington at 285.-'a ton',' but,-in' Paeroa 325. a ton was charged.'^'Tho''prico" there had increased 6s. a toil during the past two years. There were very'valuable coal deposits in 'tho Auckland district, aiid-ljhorc' was no better field in tho ' Dominion "fof State enterprise jn regard to'tho establishment of a Stato coalmine. :' j

A COMIC INCIDENT. -- SELWYN v. CERALDINE, ; ! Laughter rang over the Houso / j'esterday when Messrs. Hardy and Flatman indulged in a characteristic passage. Mr. Flatman; had placed a question on tho Order Paper advising tho acquisition of the- property of the lato Mr. Duncan Cameron,' Springfield. The reply was that since tho land was to bo sold the Government would not interfere.

On a previous occasion Mr. Flatman had been taken to task by Mr. Hardy over this question. Tho latter yesterday afternoon again took exception to the question., - Hesaid it constituted pure electioneering. Tho will of the lato Mr. Cameron gave instructions that the estate was to.be cut up, and surely tho aim of the Government was not to purchase ostates' for settlement that wero already to bo subdivided. Last time ho spoke in the House Mr. Flatman had taken inception to the remark that his '(Mr. Flatman's) hide was as thick as that 'of a rhinoceros,-'-'but if it were tanned," cried. Mr. Hardy, "it would-make a good'saddle I (Laughter.) lam sorry the member is not here now!" ' . . ... . Of course, Mr. Flatman was told the nqjys, The House loves ja littlo bit-of funl £ate in tho afternoon-Mr. Flatman rose iii .his seat. "I have heard," ho .said, "that tho member for Selwyn used some words about -.me unworthy of'any member of tho ;Houso.',' ("Oh! Oh 1" and laughter.). "It , was an expression that would not. bp,„used ,by, any. gentleman." ("Ohl-Oh!") "Ofcourse, jam speaking from-what I .Karo .been -told!"Mr. Herrics rose to point out that Mr. Flatman was referring to an expression Mr. Hardy had been made to withdraw. 'Was that right? . ~ . .

The.Speaker: No. i■ Mr. Flat-man: He said I was'not only! a robber, but a poacher! (Laughter,) Tlio Speaker" said Mr. Fl&tman-rwas 'mis-' quoting. The word robber was not-used. l 'VM; V Flatman: "I was informed • that-., it. was. Anyway the. hon._momber -had said lie was a poacher. If ho did poach, it was for the good of his constituents, and not for his own benefit. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) "Ho said I have the hide ;pf a., rhinoceros, and that my skin would make a good-saddle.-Well," cried Mr. Flatmari',>/working'.up/-to.'. one of his nojsy, dramatic effects, '.(I,under.-, stand that pigskin makes the best saddles.,, and —well, I trust tho hon. -member will understand that. (Loud laughter.) . Ho said also that the Scotchmen of Ashburton would resent my action. I say tlio Scotchmen will not resent it!" (Laughter.) ■He could.only attribute such utterances "to,;-senile^decay. (Sensation _ and loud laughter.) . "There is one verso in the Biblo wjjjgji- states 'Blessed is lie that considers the poor.:; -the Lord shall deliver him in the time "of trouble.' : Tho Lord will deliver me out .of:this for what I have done!" (More laughter.) He had dono 110 harm ,to the widow.; (Laughter and applause.) •' A subsequent speaker informed' the- House that tho two iriembers were'.the best of friends.