NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1191, 28 July 1911, Page 7

NEWS AND NOTES.

THE OUTLOOK. It is rather remarkable that the question of what the Opposition will do seems to be generally regarded as of more interest than tho question, of what the Government will do. It is well known that the lieform party has a number of subjects to bring up, some of which are likely to be unplcasing to Ministers, but it may safely be taken for granted that most of the lighting will be postponed until after the arrival of Sir Joseph Ward. Mr. Massey's demand for an inquiry into the Mokau land dealings will, however, probably he made without delay. The Government evidently intends to put the Mental Hospitals Bill in the front of its legislative programme. The Imprest Supply Bill is to bo put through to-day, and the House will probably pass a resolution on the death of Mr. T. K. Taylor, and tlie adjournment until Tuesday will be taken as in respect to his memory. The debate on the Address-in-Keply is expected to begin on Tuesday afternoon in each of the Houses. HEREDITARY TITLES. One of the first private members Bills given notice of yesterday was the Prevention of Hereditary Titles Bill, by Mr. G. Newman, member for Manawatu. Mr. Newman will not, however, proceed with his Bill until Sir Joseph Ward's return to tho Dominion. MINISTERIAL MEASURES. The Hon. J. A. Millar gave notice of the introduction of the Friendly Societies Act Amendment Bill, the Shipping and Seamen's' Act Amendment Bill, the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, and the Workers Compensation Amendment Bill, The Hon. 'i'hos. Mackenzie gave notice of the Seeds Sale Control Bill. Sir James Carroll will introduce tho Administration Act Amendment Bill. The Hon. G. Fowlds will introduce the Town Planning Bill and the Pharmacy Amendment Bill. Tho above, with the Mental Hospitals Bill and the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill comprise the whole of the Government measures that were mentioned yesterday in the Lower House. SOME OTHER BILLS. . Private members' Bills, of which notice was given yesterday, include the following :—Land Agents Registration (Mr. Witty), Elective Executive (Sir W. J. Steward), Shearers' Accommodation (Mr. M'Laren), Gaming Amendment' Act (Mr. Jennings). TARDY MINISTERS. Languid lack of interest by Ministers, as well as simple members, was the prevailing note when Parliament was opened yesterday. When prayers were being read in the House of Representatives, not a single Minister of the Crown was in his place. Evidently, interest in the proceedings . was by no means at • fever heat so far as members of, the Cabinet were concerned. The first Minister to drift into the Chamber was the Hon. li. Jl'Kenzie. Though a trifle late, he gave his colleagues a lead, and his appearance was greeted with a round of applause from the Opposition bcnches. ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES. Misgivings by southern mombers as to the geography of their seats have considerably abated since it became known that the quota—tho number of electors who will bo grouped t.o form a. constituency—has been fixed by the Representation Commissioners at 15.1G4 and that the North Island will gain one seat, only and not _t.wo as had been anticipated. According to well-informed Parliamentarians the new seat will be somewhere in the neighbourhood of Auckland, as it. is around that city that Ihe bulk of the increased population' is to be found. In coming to their decision upon the amount of the quota, the Representation Commissioners had to make nominal additions to the country population, in aecordanco with the plan laid down in the Legislature Act. This proceeding operated in favour of the South Island, because of ils greater urban population. BRIEF MENTION. Mr. Buchanan has given notice of the Greytown Town Lands and Hospital Lands Exchange Bill. . The last has not been heard of the invitations to members of the New Zealand Parliament tn attend the Coronation of tho King. Mr. Ilerdman will ask that, all papers and correspondence received by tno Government from Great Britain and copies of the communications forwarded by the Government or any member in reply should bo laid before the House. The Government is to be asked by Mr. Buchanan whether it will take the necessary steps to arrange the purchase, under Ihe Land for Settlements Act, of the Ilautotara Estate, near Martinborough. Mr, Buchanan will move for a return showing in detail the several applications to the Government for assistance towards the construcfion of telephone lines in country districts out of the X2MO vote by the House for that purpose last session, the number of applications granled, and the amount promised in each ease. Mr. Arnold wants to know .whether the Minister for Labour will bring dow-n nn amendment to tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act making it clear that the Osborne Judgment rannot. apply to unions registered under that Act. Mr. Buchanan will ask tlm Government whether they will introduce a. Bill to amend the present cumbersome, expensive, and unfair method of electing representatives for combined districts to fhe Harbour Boards of the Dominion. Mr. Craigie in another question suggests an amendment of the Harbours Act in the direction of equalising tho franchise in (own and country. Mr. Hogg will introduce an Abolition of Duties on Food Bill.