POLITICAL TOPICS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 137, 11 June 1909, Page 3

POLITICAL TOPICS.

NEWS AND NOTES. IN THE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council sat for a few minutes only yesterday. The new members, and those whose appointment had expired by effiuxion of time, and had bfN3H reappointed, were sworn in. A motion of ■condolence with tho relatives of the late Hone Heke was passed, tho Hon. Jas. M'Gowan gave notice to move the Addross-in-Reply, and the Council adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House meo yesterday afternoon after the reading of the Governor's Speech in the Legislative Council Chamber. Mr. Speaker reported that since his election he had reported himself to his Excellency £he Governor, and claimed the privileges constitutionally belonging to the iHoiu-e. His Excellency had congratulated him on his election, and assured him that the privileges- of the House would, as in tho pa^t, be fully respected. Mr. Speaker also formally announced tho death of Mr. Hone Heke, M.P. for tho Northern Maori district. The House then proceeded to tho transaction of formal business — petitions, notices of motion, and so on, finally adjourning till 10.30 o'clock this morning. NO 'HURRY— REASONABLE HOURS. When tho Prime Minister moved last evening that tho House adjourn until 10.30 a.m. to-day, tho Leader of the Opposition asked for an assurance that the business would not be hurried, and that the Houße would not be asked to sit unreasonable hours, i The majority of members, he said, had decided that Parliament should adjourn after a very short session, but this should not be allowed to interfere with free discussion. He explained that he did not propose to offer any obstruction. Sir Joseph Ward replied that he was not an advocate or supporter of long hours. Members should be able to get away by 11 p.m. or midnight. The Government would clearly place the business to be transacted before the House, and it would bo left to the good sense of members to deal with. THE LATE HONE HEKIS. When the formal business was transacted yesterday, the Premier moved a motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr. Hone Heke, and appreciation of the services he had rendered the country. Sir Joseph referred to Mr. Heke's career. He was first elected to Parliament in 1893, when he was only 24 years of age. At all times, Sir Joseph said, he had worked in the truest interest of tho native race. All members would deeply deplore that his face would be &eeD no morj. ■Mr. 'Massey seconded the motion. Few men, he said, knew the deceased better than ho did, and few regietted his death moro sincerely. In his place in the House he had done good work for both natives and Europeans. His last words about 'Mr. 'Hone Heke were, "Peace to his ashes, .honour to his memory." Mr. T. Parata also added his tribute. He was followed by Mr. W. H. Herries and Dr. Buck (Te Rangihiroa). The latter made a striking and feeling speech, which greatly impressed the House. In his life Heke had ever fostered peace, and even his death had further helped to cement good feeling between the different tribes. "Let him rest in peace," ho concluded. The solemnity of the occasion, and tho applause with which tho speech was received ijfas a marked recognition of the deep sympathy of the tribute paid to deceased by the member who takes his place. The motion was carried. In the Legislative Council a similar motion was moved by the Hon. Dr. Findlay (Attorney-General). The speaker referred to the vigorous part which the deceased had taken in public life, and said it was to be regretted that a life so full of promise should have been so early terminated. The motion was carried in silence. MISSING BALLOT PAPERS. The preliminary business in the House yesterday included the reading by the .Speaker of Mr. Justice Williams's report on the hearing of the election petition of Mr. A. R. Barclay over the election for Dunedin North. It is necessary to pass a motion that such report be recorded in the Journals of the House, and before the Prime Minister moved in this direction Mr. James Allen revived the question of the missing ballot papers. The member for Bruce said that it was unfortunate that in this, as well as in other cases, there had been losses of ballot papers. When this case was tried certain ballot papers disappeared, and it very nearly proved a serious difficulty when it came to a question of an election petition. lie thought that the Prime Minister should give some assurance that provision would be made by the House — by legislation, if necessary — to safeguard elections as they should be protected. Sir Joseph Ward replied that in this particular case the "Government had done whatever was possible to ensure the detection of those alleged to have abstracted the ballot papers, and every effort, was made to sheet the matter home, but they were advised that there was not sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution, or something to that effect. He quite agreed that every effort ought to be made to prevent the possibility of interference with ballot papers. He understood that the matter was provided for by law already, and he did not know that Parliament could go further, but he would make investigations. The report on the petition — also ineffective — against the return of Henare Kaihau for the Western Maori electorate was also read and ordered to be recorded on the Journals of the House. A FLOOD OF QUESTIONS. Yesterday about as many questions as there are members in the House were asked — 78 to be exact. Mlany of the queries were purely parochial ; a limited number were of general interest. As usual members were not modest in their requests for expenditure on public works. It is quite possible, however, that none of the questions will be answered before the House adjourns. Mr. Buick wanted to know what has been done in the matter of the establishment of a dairy school at Palmerston North, and Mr. Poole (Auckland) touched a sore spot when he asked what steps, if any, were being taken to cleanse the police force of New Zealand, and exercise greater care in the selection of constables. Mr. Fisher asked for the establishment of a Defence Committee "to enquire into the defencelessness of the Dominion." The reason for the nonpublication of the report of the Royal Commission <ju the Addington Workshops wa? sought by Mi. U. M'Laren, and Mr. T. M. Wilford asked whether tlie Minister of Mlarine, in view of the gazetted notice in regard to Morse signalling, would provide all lighthouses with lamps neeessaty for coding Morse Mgnals.. Mariners are now required to l>nss in Morse signalling, but ihe regulation, he pointed out, will be ineffectual if Ihe lighthouses are not equipped. Another query relating to defence was put by Mr. Field, who wished to know whether the Government intends to establish public rifle ranges in all parts ol the Dominion.

of Education : Whether he will cause a report to be made as to the number of State assisted secondary schools in which religious instruction is being given, and the nature of such instruction, the times at which it is given, and whether he pioposes to take any steps with respectthereto, in view of the fact that the education system of the Dominion is usually regarded as secnlar? THE CIVIL SERVICE. The Civil Service^will be made a subject for considerable debate. Yesterday Mr. Ilerdman asked fov a return slewing — (1) The total number of persons m the employ of the Public Service of Npw Zealand as at the 31st March, 1909 : and (2) the total amount paid in the way of wages and salaries to persons employed by the Grown for the years ending the 31sfc March, 1907, 1908, and 1909, giving the total sum paid in each year separately. Mr. Fisher asked for another return showing — (1) The names of Civil servants who have been appointed to new positions as heads of departments under the Government ; (2) their qualifications for same ; (3) the names of the Civil servants who havo been dismissed since Ist January, 1909 ; and (4) the reasons" therefor. In addition, Mr. Herdman gave notice to introduce a Public Service Bill, providing for the establishment of a/ Public Service Board. JOTTINGS. Mr. Malcolm has given notice to move • "That in the opinion of this House, the time has arrived when the final Court of Appeal should be within the boundaries of the Dominion." Notice of the introduction of a Sunday Labour Bill, making provision against Sunday labour where possible, was given by Mi-. Fisher. Mr. Wright wants an independent telephone exchange established at Newtown, and provision made for providing adequate accommodation at the Newtown School. The need for rendering the railway crossing at Johnsonville less dangerous was brought under the notice of the Minister of Railways by Mr. Luke. How long is it proposed to continue the payment of £400 per year which it is understood is being made to the late High Commissioner as Financial Adviser in London? asks Mr. Russell. The Expiring Laws Continuation Bill (introduced by the Premier) was read afirst time yesterday. "What are the .reasons,' asked Mr. Luke, "that actuated the Defence Department in refusing the Dominion makers' tenders for oil-engines that were solicited for the oil-launches built in the Dominion for the De|>nce Department's service ? Several petitions requesting free immigration for domestic servants ready and willing to work in New Zealand were ■ presented to Parliament yesterday. The text of the petitions was published some time ago.