Political Notes.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5575, 12 July 1889, Page 3

Political Notes.

[FBOM OTJE PABLIAMENTABY BEPOBTEE.j

[BY TBIEOBArn.J

WKiirNGTON, This day

I'MENDX? SOCIETIES.

The Parliamentary correspondent of the Dunedin Stat. hue boon interviewing Mr Son tfco subject of the .tnotnree passed in friendly societies by Registrar Mwon in n. -nutinr recently laid on the tablo of tho Houfo for Dunedin Soath, wioTs'a Past Grand Master, fot the Otoffo Strict of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, gives it as his opinion, from tho knowledge of the finance of friendly societies, that hia long connection therewith has enabled him to know that the strictures aro justified, for they apply only to thoso societies aud branches that have been shown te have a real deficiency after haying been valued Ho thinks ttiat neither tho Registrar nor tho valuers can bo too -soyere on those eooieties who persistently reject all the warnings given ih< l m : a ". d *?* Mr Mason would havo failed m las duty as a public officer if he had not drawn particular attention to tho results disoloeed by the valuations received during the year. He considers the want of knowledge on the part of the founders of what contributions were really neoessary to provide the benefits promised as the main cause of deficiency on the part of various societies, while want of duo care in the management and investment of tods is another cause. Mr Fish urges that the causes that have led to the financial weakness should bo enquired into by some competent person, and explained to tho members, and if they are in enrnort to preeorvo their society or lodges, tho advice liven to them will be acted on. He is decidedly opposed to any. l»nd of Government coercion in this matter. Tho members must be educated, and conviction must go boforo legislation, otherwise more harm than «wd will be done. On tho ground of cxponto, ho protests against the appointment of Government auditor*, but ad.to itw a question whether the Registrar should not have power to order an audit, of a lodge s or societvV books by a public auditor m any case whore he haa reason to suspect that anything w wrong, or where tho secretary, throughincompetence, lias got bis books into a muddle and cannot give correct reurns. Referring to tho promise of Minsters to introduce a Bill this sossion, or else to aoDoitit a committee to enquire into tho wSgofthoAot. Mr. ri,h prefer, the Utter course, bat he doe* not favor the committee consisting of members of the House. It should be compost of two or throo prominent member* of friendly societies; who should generally enquire into the working of the- Act, and whose chief duty should be to interview tho .pwniuuml ■members of the eocieties in eaeii district, and by pointing out: what should ba a prewsr contribution to ensure safety, induce them by moral suasion to set their respective houses in order. A report from such a commission to the Government would, ho feels convinced, bo of the utmost value. auctioneers' license fees. A Bill had been propared by tho Government dealing with the question of auctioneeow , license fees, but a* there is • conflict of interest on the subject between tho interest* of tho town and country districts, they decided to hold over thwr measure and let that prepared by Mr Samuel proceed, and they may yet take it ud This Bill canie up for its second readins to-night. A good deal of opposition was ehown by tho representatives of the city constituencies to tho provision that tho proceeds of license fees should all be divided amongst the local bodies of the provincial district*. The **ond reading was carried on tho voices, but the details of the measure will bo subjected to a good deal of criticism when it reaches the commit tee.

CiLirOUNIAN THIBTLB,

Profiting , by his experience of last session Mr McKouzio has considerably unproved - SI California Thistle Eradication Bill, ~X Which now prOYi<J OßS i.nply r that wherever I the weed exists farmers shull bo required to cut it dovpn much smaller than waa proposed lost year. Its Hwonrl reading wtis - opposed to-night by several members. Mr Kerr stated the thistle was now thoroughly established in the colony, and could not be eradicated; nor was it more harmful ttann other kinds of thistle which had censed to be regarded with alarm. Home country members thought.other equally troublesome weeds ehould bo brought within tho scope of the BUI, but tho second reading passed [ unchallenged. MABHIBD WOiIBN AND HOTEL LICENSES. » Mr Fish's Licensing Act Amendment BUI, which proposes to allow married women to hold licenses, passed its second reading without any real opposition. oiMi.au wabbob ikmled mpowbrbio hill. « The Young NewZealandW' gave substantial proof this afternoon of their determination to oppose an increase of the local 1 Sn» by taking a firm stand against / ; Mt HislopVßill authoring the Oamara * Harbor loard to borrow £70,000 more. , Their chief objection, however, wasi to the Tint through iflnew, the Bill was allowed it* second reading. Mr Newman Son desired to refer it to. the Public Accounts Committee to examine the conditions on which public moneys are advanced to local bodies, but on the Premier promising SJXVeetion should receive attention independent of the bill, tho mutter was not pressed. EDUCATIONAL MATTERS. Two tmestions relating to educational nrntterawere broached, in the House this afternoon: In answer to Mr Perceval, the Government stated that they had very httle E with the fixing of the reading books totorSdin school*. Tho matter rested S the Education Boards, but they would have much pleasure in allowing Messrs Whttcombo and Tombe'e Southern Cross readers to be put on the list of books which J would be used in schools. Replying to Mr ■' Humphreys, it was stated that tho enforca- "' ment of the compulsory attendance clauses of tho Education Act was » matter for the Boards, but if they moved m the simultaneously, the Government would bo glad to assist. "■STOW* NEW ZEALAND I'AUTY." The views of the '' Young Now Wand 'T- ■ Party " are likely to bo prominently heard >T"" Session, especially on eubjeota relating A to harbor indebtedness. Several matters of importanoe were diecuased at a meeting of the party held this week, and while .it was recognised that though common action was questions engaging the i attention of the House, it was agreed that tt was desirable to continue to work ogetherwherepossiblewhereverthewelfaro of the colony waa concerned. One of tbt, chief views of the party will, be to create and stimulate a healthy national feeling. It w.lB decided that tho members of the party Bbouia especially interest them-elyee £ L following subjects:- (I) «ppo«tion to any attempt, directly or indirectly, to make (he colony responsible tor tho loans maKo im. i Tjodies- (i) the eureful ° £ rf all H«bor» BU1» 'oming Tfore lartinSt, and opposiUon. to any * wnero m.*y " i nH u, on toaiiv borro.vV Government tho advieableuess of adophng j physical features of the country are as yet unnamed, as well as in tho am ot now discoveries. JOTTINCiS. Most of the afternoon sitting was taken up with local Bills. . w , Vβ Premier intends moving *"•« Wf* nesdave be devoted to the. oon»der,jgon of Government business, luavuajr only lnurs day for privato members' Bills. . The sum of £110 was -of members of both House, for the: M . the late Mr. Lovestuni, ex-membor toi do not consider^ necoseary to extend the scope of tho Sweating System Commission to Government workk Colonial Secretary has. been absent k from the House ttie week owing to indis P °The On Law of Libel BiU passed through committee in the Council thi a af tornoon the new clauses in the direction ot oaeUng on J plaintiffs the providing of security tor cost* 1 being assented to.