POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 319, 5 October 1908, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

Mr. Field wants to know from the ActingMinister of Defence whether he is surprised that our rifle-club movement does not flourish as in the interests of the defence of tho country it manifestly should flourish; and whether _ho will, in deferenco to the wish of a majority of tho members of tho House as well as that of tho pcoplo generally, take into his early consideration tho question of giving something liko adequate encouragement to young and middle-aged men throughout tho Dominion to form a strong and inexpensive citizen- soldiery. Mr. Jennings wants a second-class diningcar on tho Auckland-Wellington expres3 train: but if this cannot bo permanently provided for will provision bo mado for tho coming holiday season and excursion trips? Mr. Field is to ask tho Postmaster-General whether ho will, before land becomes' any dearer, reservo suitable sites for post-ofiices at Porirua, Paromata, l'araparaumu, Reikorangi, Oliau, and other growing places along the Manawatu lino, with a view to building on the samo as tho volume of business at such places respectively may warrant it? Mr. Gray wants to know if tho'' Government will say if there is a likelihood of motor traffic regulations being gazetted? On Saturday evening tho massive form of tho Western Maori representative,- Mr. Kaihaiv' was oncp again seen among the members : of Parliament. This was Mr. Kaihau's first appearance this session. Hs arrived on Saturday evening from tho North with tho Hon. Mahuta. Illness has presented him- from_ putting ' in', an ■ earlier appearance. - Possibly.Mr. Kaihau's voice will ba heard on the Native Land Bill, which wiL* come before the House this week. "King" Mahuta, when questioned if the rumour was correct that ho intended standing for tha Western Maori seat, becamo' angry on Saturday night, and said thero was no truth whatever in tho statement; indeed, ho hac" dealt peremptorily with tho man 1 who had been responsible for its circulation. Mr. Kaihau, ho said, was his nominee; Friday evening last was tho day first mentioned by Sir Joseph Ward for tho end of the session. Tho day -has corno and gone and there still remains a considerable pon tion of work to be dono. It is now suggested that Friday next should seo the work completed. At least two afternoons last woek were virtually wasted with idle, pointiest discussions, mostly arising out of. petitions. 'Th Public Works Estimates were commenced on Monday last and completed oil .Friday, those two days proving sufficient for discussion upon them. . The discussion consisted' to a largo extent of tho old cry for individual consideration in the matter of roads, railways, and bridges. On Tuesday tho Second Ballot Bill was returned ' from , tho Legislative Council in an amended form, and on Thursday, having been before tho managers of both Houses, the announcement regarding the dropping of tho "gag" clause was made. Ono of the most important discussions during tho week was that' which arose over the second reading of the Advances to Settlers Bill, which will enable tho oper-' ations of this useful department .to'., bo extended. Two old favourite topics—railway', administration (with comparisons :of fares between New Zealand and Australia) and duty on Oregon pine—cropped up again during the week, were thrashed considerably, and disappeared out of sight once more. Thoy aro übiquitous, however, and may bo heard of again before the session ends. Several new Bills were introduced during tho week, and wero circulated and published, but it is not expcctcd that many of them will be proceeded with. This morning from 11 o'clock the Council will have the novel sensation of sitting while the Representatives are at play—or at Select Committeo meetings. ' Tho Prhno Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) liaa recovered considerably from his severe cold. Ho is undoubtedly, however, showing .tha wear of tho session. Ono of his eyes, as tho result of the cold, troubled him a good deal last week. It is probable a number of small Bills will bo taken to-day.