NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 299, 11 September 1908, Page 9

NEWS AND NOTES.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. The' Commerce Committee has considered the Public Holidays Bill (Sir Joseph Ward), and "recommends that tho third schedule of the Banking Act bo amended—(a) By repealing the reference to the Prince of Wales s Birthday'and substituting therefor Empire •Day! (May '24).. September 26 (Dominion Day) is added to tho clause... There is a ' provision' in the Bill that bank holidays falling on a day other than a Monday shall be observed as a close bank holiday on the following Monday. If the. said following Monday'is also a bank holiday within the meaning of the Act, then the next following day which is not a bank holiday shall also be observed as a baiilc holiday under the Act. A new clause is added making the "following Monday" principle' apply in regard to the King's Birtliday, Dominion. Day, Empire Day, and tho Prince of Wales's Birthday provided for in'aw.irds or industrial agreements. Empire Day in these awards is to be deemed to bo June 3 and not May. 24. LAND TRANSFER ACT. ; A statement of the business transacted under the Laud Transfer Act during tho last financial year shows the total number of transfers to have been 21,791, the number of mortgages 19,795; and their value £15,637,486. The value of country mortgages during the previous year was £8,650,561. Last year the value increased to £5,090,682. An interesting return shows the'total-amount of money remaining sccured by mortgage-under the Land Transfer Act on Marcn 31 last as follows: — £. Auckland ... ... 5,889,121 Taranaki 5,205,925 Wellington ... ... 19,970,037 Hawko's Bay ... 6,776,496 Poverty Bay ... . 1,427,624 ■Nelson ... • ... 1,471*582 Marlborough ... 563,395 Canterbury 14,307,471 Otago ... 4,134,199 Southland 5,139,087 Westland ... ... 218,998 Total 65,453,940 The total for the previous year ■ was £59,097,070, so that in one year there has been an increase of considerably over £6,000,000. WHEN MINISTERS DIFFER. A little difference of opinion occurred over a Standing : Order on Wednesday, between the Hon. J. A. Millal- ' and the Hon. J. M'Gowan. The Leader of the Opposition, in a facetious . reference, took this little incident as a healthy rind Satisfactory sign. It was just as well, however, he said, that the Minister for Nativo Affairs was sitting between the two Ministers to act' as, peace-maker. 'The burly Native Minister-shrugged his massive shoulders at Mr. Ma'ssey, and smiled tho 'ex'pansivo smile of p»a6e. The incident was tho forerunner of an interesting division. Tho question at issue was as to the.character of tho Thames Borough Gas Bill. The. Local Bills Committee had reported it as a private Bill, and tho Joint Bills Classification Comniitteo classi- ' fied it as a local Bill. The motion bofore tho House, was that the report of . the . Joint Committee ,be adopted. When tho .division was called, the prime Minister led the way into the "aye"; lobby (in favour of Mr., .M'Gowan), and was followed by all his Cabinet collofißUes with the exception of the Hon. J, A. Millar, who on this Occasion wont into the "noes" lobby, and hold to his opinion. PETITIONS. Some 68 sawmill' employees in the Taumariinui district are petitioning the House through Mr. Jennings, urging that a duty of at least 7s. per 100 ft, be placed on such imported timbers as Oregon and Pacific pine and Manchurian spruco. Tho petition states that "the importation of foreign timber produced b.v Asiatic cheap labour is having, a serious effect: on the local industry, inasmuch as many ..mills have closed an ( d a considerable 'number are working 1 ' short time, and wo fear the result will bo disastrous to the whole community." A petition signed by 195 Auckland tradesmen was presented to thvfiouso on Wednesday by Mr. Ba'uino.'. Tho ''petitioners protest against the, practice of packing coupons in goods and promoting limerick and other competitions with tho object of inducing tho sale of certain "goods. They stato that the use of coupons militates against honourable competition, and engenders . tho spirit , of gambling. It is asktd that the House'will' pass such' legislation as may be necessary to suppress the ilso of coupons, similar devices and limerick competitions in connection with the sale of any goods as being injurious to lioncst trading and demoralising to. the community." THE ARBITRATION BILL. ' The .Minister for Labour (tho Hon. J. A. Millar) , said yesterday that tho Arbitration Act Amendment Bill would be reported to tho House from tho Select Committee this afternoon. ' Mr. Davey paired in favour of tho amondment regarding uniform school books jvith Mr. Jennings. The Extension of Commerce' Committee reported yesterday that it had carefully considered the Sccret Commissions Bill, and recommended that it be allowed to proceed without amendment.. "I noticed in a weekly newspaper," said Mr; Malcolm in "tho course of the debate on tho Second Ballot Biill, "that no less than 13,000 morn names of male voters were on tho electoral rolls of the Dominion at the last general election (before the Electoral Act ol 1893 camo into force) than thero were male adultj in tho country. I .merely mention this now, and I will take another opportunity of bringing it undor tho notice of the Prime Minister." Mr. Jennings states that in 1906 tho Petitions -M to Z Committee recommended that a oommittee should be sot up to inquiro into the charges imposed by the Press Association on those 'persons wishing to participate in tho privileges cnjoycd\by that corporation. He will ask the Prime Minister when ho proposes to give effect to that recommendation. Mr. Laurenson will ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn tc the delay which at ■ present • borrowers from J. tho Advances to Settlers and tho Advances to Workers Departments arc experiencing 1 in getting their loans, and will he ascertain 1 what is tho causo of these delays; and if il : is owing to a shortage of money, will lie set 1 that more funds are put at the disposal ol j both of these- very important Departments Mr. J. Allen will ask tho Prime Minister l (1) Whether, at the late Colonial Conference any representations wero made or opinioln 3 expressed by British authorities that an im 3 portanfc aid to secure naval supremacy foi j the British Empire would'be tho provision ii Now Zealand'or Australia. of a dock thai " could accommodate any British warship? (2' Will he state to tho House the capabilities o 5 tho Calliope Dock (Auckland) as regards tin docking of any of his Majesty's BliipsP (3 1 Has ho ascertained tho capabilities for a liki J purposo of tho- proposed dock at Welling ton? ■ (4) Will ho tako some steps to sccuri " that, either in Auckland or Wellington, tin " dock should bo such as'to comply with tin requirements of tho British Admiralty? A schoolhouso for Tamaki, near Dannc virke, and ft courthouse for Shannon an " among tho local wants to bo brought befor i 1 Ministers through the medium of question t in the House by tho members for the dis A tricts. * EDUCATION BILL. I -THE GOVERNMENT REVERSE, il 'The discussion on the Education Ac 'Amendment Bill, which was interrupted earl; yesterday morning by tho carrying, of Mr if Wilford's amendment in regard to uniforii school books, was not rosurtiod yesterday " ■ Tho Bill appeared as No. fl on the Ordor Pnpe

yesterday, but tho measures ahead of it were sufficient to occupy tho attention of tho House for tho whole of tho sitting. No announcement was made as to the intentions of tho Government in regard to tho reverse sustained in connection with the Bill beyond tho statement made by tho Minister at tho close of the division to the effect, that ho Would drop tho Bill if tho new claiiso was insisted upon. It may be pointed out that tho division was on tho sccond reading of tho new clause, moved by Mr. Wilfbrd. and another motion will be. necessary to add the clauso to tho Bill. Beforo it is thus adopted amendments to it may bo moved. In addition to those j who took part in tho division as shown by tho lists Messrs. Herries, Poole, and Davey paired in favour of Mr. Wilford's amendment, and tho Hon.. J. A. Millar and Messrs.! Bollard and Jennings paired against it. In eluding the Chairman of Committees (who,' of colirso, did not vote) 60 of tho 80 . members of the House .are thus accounted for. Tho members absent included the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Messrs. Alison, E. G. Allen, Dillon, Duncan, W.. Eraser,. Hornsby, Houston, Hardy, Kaihau, Lang, Lewis, M'Laehldn, Mills, Ngata, Parata, Rutherford, . Scddbn, Stevens, and Thomson. j Of tho eleven Opposition members who voted or paired, only three voted for (Mr. Wilford's amendment, tho remaining eight Voting with the Government. It is expected that seeing that so many members wero absent an attempt will bo made to reverse tho vote. j . Tho Hon. A. R. Guinness -has given notico to movo a new clause to .the Education Bill to-the effect that inspectors be appointed by the Govornor-in-Council instead of by tho education boards. j ABOUT A PETITION. / REFERRED BACK TO THE COMMITTEE. Tlios. Walker recently petitioned Parliament Stating that ho was for fivo And a-half years employed undor the Education Department, as overseer of tile Boys'j Training School at Wereroa. Ho was accused of thero being a shortage of ten head of cattlo, and of selling stock of tho valu.o of £200.nvithout accounting for the money. On investigation, he says, it was proved that there wis a surplus Of ten head of cattle. He had asked for an apology, and received no rfcply. Subsequently ho was dismissed from' his appointment.- Ho asked for compensation for damages sustained to his character. Yesterday the Education Committeo reported that they Were unable to find that any'charges have been made against the integrity of petitioner, or that any damage lias been sustained by him. They therefore bad liO recommendation to make. ; Mr. W. H. Field (Ot-aki) fiiovod that the petition bo sent back to tho committeo. The potitionor had further evidence which he could submit, and which might altor tho recommendation, . Mr. Flatman (Gera-ldine) seconded tho motion. Other members spoke on tho subject, though nono' as strongly as Mr. F. Lawry (Parnoll). Mr. Lawry said that the petitioner had been unfortunate in having incurred tho animosity of tho man who practically composed tho whole Government. The Prime Minister: Who is the man? Mr. Lawry: It is not Frank Lawry! (Laughter.) A Member: Nor Annie Laurie. (Laughter.) Mr. Lawry continued that tho petitioner had previously incurred the displeasure of the man who controlled the Agricultural Department, and had become, in consequence, a marked man. (Murmurs. of dissent,) Mr. Lawry wont on to say that Mr. Walker had been appointed :to tho, WororOa, industrial fami'for his special knbWlodgo in afforestation, : etb._Thihi, when the Hon. G. Fowlds becamo Minister for Education, and controlled tho industrial institution''what did ho do? Ono'of his satellites, who knew 110 moro about farming than tho membor for Wairarapa know about astronomy—(laughter) ■fcns put in Walker's place. Tho Prilrte Minister: What satellite? Mr. Lawry: Tho s'atellito of the Hon. G. t -.Fowlds. ,^' Hr.''Hornsby: What did ho set-a-light to? ..(Oh, .oh I),, Sir. L'aWryi I would ask the m6mber for Wairarapa whoso satellite ho is? (Laughter.), The member for Parnell continued that this ' satellite, had been appointed, and ho knew no moro about farming than lie (Mr. 'Lawry) knew about tho time of tho next comet. It was one of the most disgraceful things lie had known of in tho administration 6f tho affairs of the Dominion. Ho hoped the Government would do justice to .tho petitioner. Mr. Hogan (Wanganui) said ho hoped the i Houso would agreo to send tho petition back I to tho Committeo. It was a caso calling for very, serious consideration. Mr. Walker had been formerly well-known, and highly rospectcd throughout tho Wanganui district. He had been crtiinohtly fitted for tho position ho held when dismissed. Mr. Massey hoped tho petition would be referred again to the Committee. Mr. Hanan (Invorcat-gill) said tho petitioner had only asked that some alleged reflection upon his character should bo cleared up; there was nothing requested regarding reinstatement, or in tho direction suggested by Mr. Lawry. It wa3 admitted. he had done his work well at Wereroa, but that work had been only to clear up the land, plant trees, etc., and lay off roads. It was thought that owing to his want of knowledge of industrial matters and ill-health ho was not qualified to havo charge of tho industrial school. He was not a sufficient disciplinarian to havo control of the boys. As to tho alleged reflections on his character, Mr. Hanan read the letter bearing on tho accounts which had been sent by Mr. Walker to tho Secretary for- Education in 1906 to 1 show that tho. man had beon hypersensitive 1 or had been under a misapprehension. His 1 engagement .also was terminable with 0110 ' month's notice; He had asked for no damj ago's for wrongful dismissal, but for com- " pensation for alleged insinuation as to his > characters 1 - Tho motion to refer the report again to • tho Committeo was carried. ' The Minister for Education was absont from tho Houso when tho remarks regarding himself were made. Asked by a Dominion • representative if 110 had anything to say 011 1 tho matter, ho replied that Mr. Hanan had • accurately stated the position. Mr. Walker ■ had been temporarily engaged to prcparo the ) grounds for tho institution. Tho inquiry re- ■ garding' tho accounts was done in. the ordint ary way of business, and 110 reflection had ■ been conveyed. As to a satellito of his being appointed, the Minister had tho slightest idea of who had filled the position . after Mr. Walker. The selection had been > left to the manager of tho institution.