WHAT MEMBERS WANT TO KNOW.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 858, 2 July 1910, Page 3

WHAT MEMBERS WANT TO KNOW.

INTERESTING} QUERIES. Mr. Wright has given notice of his intention to move for a 1 return showing the amount of all moneys paid for cartage' during the past five, years in all Government Departments in Wellington outside those for . which' tenders are called, with names of the contractors, and the am'ount paid to each firm separately for such services. Miv Herdman intends to move for a return showing in nautical miles tlie estimated distance by the Marine Department of a steamer's course from Wellington to Valparaiso,' and from Buenos Ayres to Plymouth; also the approximate . distance by railway between Valparaiso and Buenos Ayres. Mr. Poarce is asking the Minister for Railways whether he will amend tho schedule of the Government Railways Department Act, 1908,, to read that at least 50 per cent, of drivers and firemen should be in first grade, as obtained in the Act of 1 1901, • as,. although in 1908, 50 per cent, of drivers and liremeJi were in the first grade, in 1909 there were only 41'8 in the first grade as against. -620 ■in the second grade.

Mr. Wilford intends to ask the Minister for Railways whether, instead of requiring tho l'etone Borough Council to. provide the cost .of ■an overhead bridgo at Pctone, lie Will this year provide the .same on . tho estimates, in order that the residents of the Government settlement of Korokoro may havo reasonable access to their homes. Ho states that the',amount estimated by the Government _ for the cost of tho work is £300, while information is ayailablc to show tliat £150 will be sufficient for tho purpose. Mr. M'Ltfren is to ask the Minister' for Labour whether, in view of the fact that a numbfcr of workers' unions are registered the Trades Union Act, he will bring down proposals ; to amend the said Act in the direction of bringing tho same up to date oil tho linos ol the English statutes.

Mr. T. E. Taylor has given notice of ms intention to move, that it is subversive of the public interests of the Dominion that those citizens who servo the State in various -employments should be debarred .from exercising tho same rights as .those employed in prir vate enterprises, and this House is of the opinion that full civil and political liberty should be conferred upon all Government employees; subject, to tho restriction that no .public officer shall use for any purpose, other than toi the discharge of his officii! duties, information gained by or conveyed to him through his connection with tho public sen'ice:

Mr; Fisher proposes to. mo'vo for a return showing (1) The amount and description of ammunition purchased by the Government for. the year, ended March 31 last; (2) the amount estimated to have been used duriiig the samo period; and (3) the amount- held in reserve at March 31, 11)10. Mr. Wright will ask the Primo Mln~ ister, whether he is aware "that-at ■ the present time the Government is indebted to the Wellington City Corporation to -the extent of £67 7s. for services rendered in extinguishing a fire on property owned by the Government in Panama Stroet. and if he will givo the necessary instructions to have tho liability liquidated? He states , thatthe lire occurred on May 22, 1908. The corporation applied for payment, but met with a refusal, no reason being given. The Government, however, mado a donation of .-£SO to the 'firemen concerned in the fire. .

Mr. M'Laren is to ask the. Hon. the Minister for Labour, if it 5s the. case that the Registrar of Industrial Unions has refused to record the rules submitted by the South Canterbury Trades .-.ml Labour Council and the New Zealand Shearers' Industrial Association of Workers, where such rules make provision for said labour organisations taking part in political alfairs, and if he will present to the Houso the reasons upon which suoh action of the Registrar' is based.

ilr. Arnold has given' notice of his .intention to ask the Minister for Bailways, wither complaints have been made to liini as to the alleged unhealthy conditions of tho dining-cars, (iv.d tlisit as a result tlio employees are frequently laid tip. and that the public are inconvenienced.

Mr. Wright is asking the Minister for Justice if lie will give the reason why Poweika received such an apparently some Sentence. . '

Mr. Ross is to ask the Government whether steps are being taken to acquire the Mangatainoka blocks of Native lands for . close settlement, under Section 361. of the Native Land Act, 1901, as recommended by the Lands Committee - last session.

. Mr. Ross is alsq to ask the Government whether provision mil be mode on this year's estimates to complete the unfinished portion (four and a half miles) of the Puketoi Road.

Mr. Field, is to ask the Minister for Defence when the new defence regulations will' be published, and whether he will, under, those regulations, provide as mueh oncouragomeroi. to rifle clubs as was proposed under' the Federal Defence Aot. .

Mr. Luke wishes to know if the Government will lay on the table the evidence and the finding of Professor Scott, who as a, commission had recently been inquiring into the cause of the dismissal of one of the Government insjrcctofs of machinery.