DEPUTATIONS TO MINISTERS

Evening Star, Issue 7496, 14 April 1888, Page 2

DEPUTATIONS TO MINISTERS

A number of deputations waited on Sir Harry Atkinson and the Minister f«..r Defence to-day with reference to various matters. The first was from tho University Council and the Charitable Aid Board, and had for its subject an OPERATING-ROOM AT THE HOSPITAL The deputation consisted of Dr Stuart, Messrs J. Allen, M H.R., J. Robin, If. F. Hardy, P. Miller, J. Carroll, P. Fagan, A. Solomon, and P. Black. Mr Hobin* stated that tho present Government's predecessors in cflice had promised a subsidy of L'i''o for building a new operatingroom, which was absolutely required, in order that the medical school at tho University should have fair p'ay, and also because the hospital absolutely needed it. The University Council had granted L2OO to the same obj 'ct, on the understanding that the Government subsidy would be granted, and the building was in course of construction. The Colonial acorctaiy now, however, declined to fulfil the promise of the previous (Government, on grounds that doubtless seemed to him good and justifiable; although Sir Robert Stout had distinctly promised the money. The present room was too fmall and dark for the hospital work. Mr Solomon remarked that there was no doubt about the late Premier's having promised the subsidy of L4OO, and of course the present Government would not fail to carry out the pledge given by its predecessors. The Premier asked what form the promise took; was it an absolute pledge, or simply a promise to l»y the matter before Parliament? Mr SOLOMON said it was a distinct promise of the money. The Premier said he did not know the grounds on which Mr Hislop had refused to forward the grant, but doubtless he had good grounds. He quite agreed with the idea of continuity of a Government, especially if he were in it himself; but sometimes Governments made promises that were outside the laws, and such could not be held to be binding on their successors. The proper way would be to put the sum on the Estimates and then ask Parliament to deal with it; it would be quite legitimate for the Government to do so, for when a new Government csme in it had to consider such Bubjectß anew. He could promise nothing until he saw the grounds on which Mr Hislop was acting, for it was a matter in the latter's department. If it were in Mr Hislop's ower to do it, he felt sure it would be done ; but he fancied there must be a difficulty, for otherwise Mr Hislop would have seen his way to do it before. Dr Siuabt expressed a hope that the Premier would grant somewhat of his support in laying the matter before Mr Hislop. The Premier promised to do ail in his power in that way.

CHARITABLE AID AND HOSPITAL BOARDS.

The deputation also urged that the closing of the financial year of the Charitable Aid Board and the Hospital Board did not suit at all well, and they would be glad to have the date altered from March 31 to December 31, as it would save inconvenience in many ways. The Premier said lie would take a note of the request, and see if the alteration required could be agreed to. He did not thick there would be any difficulty in the way. TAKING OVER INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS. The deputation further brought up the matter of the support of indigent children, Mr RORIN stating that the Board paid last year L 2.500 for the support of indigent children, yet had absolutely no control over them. They had been agitating in the nutter for a long time, but without avail. The Premier asked if they had ever considered the question of taking over tlis Industrial School altogether. Mr lloisi.v paid that they hid, and that lie thought there would be no difficulty in the niitter. Mr Solomon" remarked that nobody else seemed to have control over the children, for although there was a Board of Visitois they had no power to do anything except make recommendations to Mr Habens, at Wellington. What was required was that the school should be handed over to the Chatitable Aid Board, or else to say six gentlemen selected by the Government, who would have time to look after it. He was sure that a saving of 30 per cent, in the cost of the school would be saved by cither course, as was shown by the fact that whereas children at the Industrial School cast 7s 6d per week per hj. ad, the inmates of the Benevolent Institution—in which there were both children and grown-up people- cost but 5s 4d per head. The Premier: Supposing that we hand the children over to you, what will you take them for? Mr Solomon : For what it costs us. We can save a third of the present cost. Mr Kobin remarked that taking over the school was a weighty matter that requ : red consideration, but there was no doubt that the Board should have control over the children, and depend on the Government as little as they could. He thought that local affairs should be managed as far as possible without depending on the Government for support. Mr Milleu said he considered that when boys reached the age of twelve or thirteen they 3hould not be a burden on the country; there were plenty of people who would be glad to keep them and teach them a trade. The Puemieb said that the matter was worth consideration. Personally he thought it should be as had been suggested, and he would look into the matter. THE SCHOOL OF MINES. Dr Stuat and Mr J. Allen, M.H.R., waited on the Premier as a deputation from the University with reference to the School of Mines. Dr Stuaut said that a grant of LSOO per annum for some years had been made by the Government with a view of establishing and supporting the school, but it had been suddenly stopped, and without it the school could not be continued. A large amount of expense had been entailed and three lecturers engaged, and the University Council thought itself hardly used and that it was scarcely fair to have the subsidy withdrawn Mr Allen endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker. The Premier asked if the school was useful; wad it doing good work? Mr Allen said that it was doing good work; it had three lecturers, and could now turn out men fit to go straight to the gold mines and do mine surveying and assaying. The Premier said he would of course be glad to lay the matter before the Minister for Mines. THE MARKET SITE. A deputation from the City Council, comprising Crs Fish, Cohen, Kimbell, and Hardy, with Mr Mirams, City Engineer, waited on the Premier respecting the obtaining of a market site. The deputation said that the site of the present gaol would be very suitable, as it was central, and was also close to the railway line. They believed that the gaol would shortly have to bo removed, and suggested that it should be given to the Corporation for a market sito. It contained a little over an acre and a half of ground. There might be a question of the removal of the Supreme Court from its present position, and also of the removal of the Normal School, and possibly an exchange of sites might be effected. The Premier said that he could make no promise on the matter, excepting this: that if the gaol were removed from its present site the Government would not dispose of the latter for any public purpose without previously consulting the Corporation as to whether it had any reasons against its being so disposed of. THE GOOD TEMPLARS. A deputation of Good Templars, comprising the Hon. T. Dick, Messrs J. A. D. Adams, R. N. Adams, J. W. Jago, D. C. Cameron, Rev. J. Beckenham, and others—and introduced by Mr J. Allen, M.H.R.—presented to the Premier the following memorial:— To the Honorable Sir 11. Atkinson, the Premier of New Zealand. Sir,—The Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars, representing nearly 5,000 inhabitants of the colony, forming about 130 lodges located in the most important centres of population, at its annual meeting held in Wellington in January last, passed resolutions remitting to its executive officers the duty of bringing under the notice of the Government the following subjects bearing on the liquor traffic, which in the opinion of Good Templars demand remedial legislation. We therefore have sought tho present opportunity of making known to you the views and wishes of the Order we represent on thoBC points of the Licensing Act, 1881, and the Government Railways Act, 1887, Which we believe are specially detrimental to tho woll-being of society : Ibt. While the Act of 1881 limits the age at which young persens may be supplied with intoxicating liquor to be consumed on tht p-emiscs, it permits that any child may bo supplied with liquor to be carried off tho premises for consumption tlscwhore. This leads to many formß of evil. The little ones are exposed to many vioious influences and temptations which cften lead to criminal reeults. Wo therefore urge that it be made an offence to supply any child under fifteen years with intoxicating liquor for any purpose. 2nd. The provision made in (he Licensing Act, 1881, for club licenses to be granted by the Colonial Secretary has led to gross abuses, which have produced injurious effects on the communities in which the clubs have hcen established. It has happened that bouses which the local licensing committee have considered either unfit or unnecessary for tho convenience <f the public have, on application, been constituted licensed olubs l>y the Colonial Secretary with vory littlo knowledge of the circumstances. We submit that in all cases the local licensing committee should have tho power to grant such licenses. 3rd. By the Railways Act, 1887, the powor of granting liccntes for railway stations, formerly vested in the Minister of Railways, was transferred to the Commissioner of Railways, This we regard as a retrograde movement, and one wbioh may lead to *

unfortunate cirouiustauocs. In the Oid World and id America the tendency is to keep all railways free from connection with a traffic which has been found to injure their (ffieienoy, and we fear the power thus (riven tj the Commissioner may work in the worrt diitoti n. If it is not considered advisable to remove all bars from railway stations, we would very respectfully suggest that the licenses should be granted only by tho Jiccneing committee of the district in which they are located. 4th. Wi;h serious apprehension we learned that 8&mo mini'era of tho Government appeared to view with favor »bore-establishment of distilleries in the colony, and we would desire to impress upon Ministers the fact that the conversion of grain into distilled liquor is a direct waste of a valuable product in the manufacture of an article possfS'irg no nutritious (|m!ity. The grain consumed U destroyed, and the labor and plant employed for the purp:sc aro worse than wasted. It is more profitable to the farmer to focd hojjs with his surplus corn than to sell it to the distiller, and lh*t course would be very muoh more beneficial to the community. The economics of tills question dcseive the most careful consideration before the colony is again csmmittui to the recsUblishuient of a business which can only prove unprofitable, and which has already cost the taxpayer so muoh. We are, on behalf of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand of tho Independent Order cf Good Tcroplari. your most respectfully, R. N. Aoams, G.C. D. C. Camiros, G. Secretary. Mr R. N. Adams spoke to the first point in the memorial, and referred to the evils and the tendency to crime that arose through drink being allowed to be sold to young children. Mr J. A. D. Adams followed with reference to the question of clubs being granted charters for the sale of liquor, and urged that such licenses should, like all others, be under the control of the licensing committees. Mr Jago Faid, with reference to the matter of granting licenses for railway stations, that had ho known that the matter was to be brought before the Premier to-day he would have brought some documentary evidence to show what was being done in Canada, the United States, and the Old Country in that matter, In all those countries the authorities were beginning to exclude the sale of liquors at or iu the precincts of railway stations, for they found that the sale was detrimental to the safety of the public traffic and to the interests of the railway companies. Another evil was that the refreshment rooms at the stations formed lounging and drinking bars for people after licensed public-houses had closed. As to the distillery question, he thought there was not much danger of the Government allowing tho re-establishment of distilleries in this colony, still he would support the expression of opinion in the memorial that no encouragement should be given to such a project. The Premier said that he would certainly recommend that children be prohibited from being served with drink, but at the same time he could not undertake that the Government would do anything in the matter this session, for they had already undertaken to do a great deal. He could not pledge the Government to introduce a Bill dealing with the matter, but if such a Bill were introduced by anyone else he would support it. The question of licensing railway refreshment - rooms was a big one, and he was not prepared to say that the authorities should not have the power asked for. The sale should at all events be restricted to travellers, and cot allowed to ordinary persons or to railway servant?. Personally, he thought that the Government had no right • f any kind to say that any man who wanted a glass of beer should be precluded from getting it. With regard to clubs there was sure to be ,a difficulty, for many were bona fide clubs, and they had their advantages; still, ho was decidedly opposed to the Colonial Secretary's having power to ovetride the local licensing committees on such a point. He would set his face against that sort of thing, and also against a club license being granted to a man who had been refused an ordinary publican's license. As to the distillery matter, he could not say that the Government had no intention of making such a proposal as was referred to. TOTAEA TIMBER FOR CONTRACTS. Mr W. D. Stewart, M.H.R., introduced to the Minister for Defence a deputation of parsons interested in the supply of timber for contracts, who desired that the specifications should be altered so that totara coulJ be supplied without running the risk of its being condemned by the inspector, who possesses great discretionary powers. The Hon. Mr Fergus promised to look into the matter on hte return to Wellington. THE UNEMPLOYED. Mr H. S. Fish, M.H.R., intimated to the Pj emier that a number of unemployed people wished to interview him with a view of getting work. Thf.y did not wish to make demands similar to those of the Cbristchurch Knights of Labor, but were villing to proceed to any part of the country where they could obtain work. The Premier said he was glad to hear that, and he would arraDgc to meet the deputation on the platform of the railway station at 7.45 a.m. on Thursday next, when he would be about leaving for Wellington He had to go to Invere»rgill on Monday, and would not return till Wednesday night, so that it was impossible for him to meet the unemployed till Thursday morning. KAIKOEAI SCHOOL COMMITTEE. A deputation of members of the Kaikorai School Committee waited on the Minister for Defence and asked if they were to understand that the decision of Mr Carew, Resident Magistrate, in the M'Lauchlan case was supposed to bo final, or whether they would ieccive a communication from the Minister of Education; whether tho Government would recoup the Committee their expenses in tho matter; and whether the evidence in the case would be printed by the Government at a cost of, say L7O, and circulated. The Hon. Mr Fergus said that he presumed that Mr Carew's decision was final; that it was not p-obable that the Government would pay the Committee's expenses; and that it would do little good to go to the expense of printing the evidence in the case. The evidence could bp laid on the table of the House, and if a copy of any portion of it was required by the Committee they could obtain it.