NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1208, 17 August 1911, Page 6

NEWS AND NOTES.

"THEY DO NOT PAY." Tho Minister for Railways stated, Iq reply to Mr. Myers, that the number o\ trains run on suburban lines was m ex« coss of what was justifiable- from a purely financial point of view, and tho receipts from the suburban services did not justifv any increase in the services. In laet, they did not pay. The Government howover, in pursuance of its policy of offering reasonable inducements ■to work-people and others to live outside tho congested areas of tho cities in tho four chict centres, had placed on tho schedule us liberal a suburban train-service as the circumstances will permit, and from time to time would improve this as the business expanded. RIFLE CLUBS. Mr. J. Duncan asked the Acting-Minis, tor for Defence, "Whether' it is a fact that members of rillc clubs are unable to obtain rides from' the Defence Depart--incut,'-and, if so,-what is the. reason < '" ' Tlie' ; H6n. G.' Fowlds replied: Tho mat. ter of tho supply of service nlles to members of rifle clubs- must of necessity await the completion of arrangements lor the organisation, equipping, jvml arming ot tho Territorial Force, and tho arrival of an additional supply of rifles now ou order; all'tho riiles we now havo aro wanted for tho Territorials. To organise and equip the Territorial 1-orco on thoroughly satisfactory lines bo the Department's first consideration. ■ Mr Wright asked whether the Government would in any way assist mentors of" rillc clubs from New Zealand who desire to attend tho_ New South Wales championship roeotiug. ~,.,., , Tho Hon. 0. Fowlds replied that funds from tho Defence vote could only-be devoted to rifle shooting which had a definite military value, and which would bo conducive to the training of the forces. It was not considered that assistance to individuals for tho purpose in question would coroo under this category, and. .therefore, it was. not advisable that any money grant should be made in this case. Mr. 'Wright suggested that as each rifleman would be culled upon to spend A2O in attending the Australian meeting, each of them might be allowed a new rifle barrel. With this ho believed they would •bo quite satisfied. He contended that these men should be encouraged to becomo first-class rifle shots. PROPOSED STATE FACTORIES. The Acting-Premier, in his reply to Mr. M'Laren, did not hold out much hope of the Government establishing the various manufacturing enterprises mentioned by the member for Wellington East, as being in operation or proposed by lire, different Australian Labour Governments. Sir James Carroll stated that private contracts had' been entered into for tire supplving of clothing for tho defonco forces . up' till March, 1913. Tho question of es. tablishing a State clothing factory would, bo fully considered. The question of tho establishment of small-arms and cordito factories in the.Dominion had been carefully considered, and it had been decided that tho demands for cordite and ior small arms were at present much too small to warrant tho heavy initial expanse for plant, etc. The question of establishing lime-burning and brick-mak-ing works will receive consideration. BACKBLOCKS WORKERS. Replying to Mr. Hine, who had suggested that, in view of the high cost of . living in the backblocks, the schedule rates paid for work on the roads and railways in such districts, should be increased, or the necessaries of life should be supplied at cost price to the workers, tlio Hon. R. M'Kenzie said:—"Tho Departnwntal rulo is to pay the rate of wages ruling in the district, where the. settlers and the local bodies ordinarily fix the rate, and invariably complain if the Government pays higher wages than tlie ruling rate. Men employed on railway construction are generally within easy distance of the lail-hond, ,and can, con'sequentlv, ■ obtain previsions . with.,, greater facility than many other settlera in the backblocks." SUBWAYS AND LIFTS. Mr. T. M. Wilford is to ask loavoto . Introduce an amendment to (ho 1 üblio Works Act giving a local authority power to raise an amount, under tho Local .Bodies' Loans Act. to provide access from one street to another by means of a *u.-.nel or shaft or partly by tunnel and partly by shaft, and further providin". that all necessary machinery, lifts, etc., for the efficient working thereof ■diall be a public work within the meaning of the Public Works Act and also under .the Local Doilies' Loans.Act. Mr. Wilford does not in (his matter represent the deputation which waited recently upon tho City Council to ask (hat a snbwav and lift shaft should be constructed at 'the Church Street steps. He is acting on behalf of the City Council and intr to obtain for it powers which will bo necessary if the proposal of tho deputation should tako effect. A WELLINGTON BILL. Mr. AVilford grfvo notico yesterday that he will a<* leave to nitroduco tho Wellington City Amendment ami Empowering Bi'ii. ■