POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 11296, 18 July 1900, Page 6

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 18. POLICE ADMINISTRATION DEFENDED. . “The colony is seething with complaints against the administration of the department,” said Mr Fisher yesterday, when asking the Government to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the administration of the Police Department, or in the alternative to give the House facilities for discussing the subject by setting aside an afternoon or evening for the purpose.—The Minister of Justice said, iu reply, that he did not favor Royal Commissions, and would not recommend the setting up of one as proposed. Ho had not heard that the colony was seething with complaints, as stated, and his experience of the department showed him that the officers of the Force appeared to be guided by a high sense of duty, and he intended to support them in carrying out their duty- He saw no reason for a special discussion, as suggested.—Being dissatisfied with the Ministerial reply, Mr Fisher gave notice of motion for the appointment of a Select Committee of ten members to examine into and report upon all matters relating to the administration of the Police Force of the colony. MEMBERS’ PRIVILEGES.

Among the measures notice of the introduction of which was asked yesterday afternoon was the Payment of Members Act Amendment Bill. This was fathered by Mr Lawry, who, in answer to a request that be should explain the nature of the Bill, said that he would do so when moving the second reading.—Mr Fisher somewhat testily retorted that the House had a right to demand the information before allowing the Bill to be introduced.—The Premier remarked that if the proposed measure in any way affected the finances of the colony it must originate with the Government.—Air Lawry raised a laugh by declaring that the Bill was based on the highest principles of truth and justice.—The matter went to an issue, and leave was refused by 35 to 14. AN UNREHEARSED INCIDENT. When the recommendations of the Reporting and Printing Debates Committee re the ‘ Hansard ’ chief were being read yesterday afternoon by Major Steward the Chamber was suddenly startled by a three-year-old girl, seated with her mother in the Ladies’ Gallery, calling out in a plaintive tone “Daddy.” The effect was quite electrical amongst hon. members, but this is what comes of having a fatherly, not to say patriarchal, presence. THE DUNEDIN-PORT CHALMERS LINE. Any hope that may have been entertained as to the duplication of the Dunedin-Saw-yers Bay line during the coming year was cast to the winds yesterday afternoon. The necessity of this work having been advocated by Mr E. 6. Allen, and the intentions of the Government having been asked, the Minister of Works said that he. quite recognised the value of a double line between Port Chalmers and Dunedin, but that it was a question of £ s. d. Precedence must be given to the duplication of the railway between Mosgiel and Dunedin. That was a very large work, and would involve a very heavy expenditure. There, was not the same necessity for duplicating the line to Sawyers Bay, which could bo classed amongst the second or third-rate requirements of the colony when the railway works caine to be scheduled, and which might be tackled after the more pressing or first-class requirements had received attention. While recognising that the work brought under notice, by the member for Waikouaiti was a necessary one, he could not undertake to give it attention during the coming year. THE CABINET. The latest item of lobby gossip is that Mr T. M. Wilford (Wellington Suburbs) is to be called to the Cabinet, without portfolio, as Attorney-General. This canard must not be treated seriously, though no doubt it is a case of “Barkis is willing.” GOVERNMENT VALUATION OF LAND. The whole of last night’s sitting of the Souse was taken up with a discussion on he Land Valuation Department of the Government and its valuations. In moving the second reading of the Government Valuaion of Lands Act Amendment Bill, the Colonial Secretary pointed out that'one of its principal objects was to cure a defect in

the original Act, which prevented a revaluation of the land in any locality unless it applied to the- whole colony, in which case an expenditure of £60,000 was involved.— Mr James Allen made a fierce onslaught on the Bill, and said that he would have infinitely preferred a measure which would sweep away the whole Government Valuation Department.—ln reply. Mr Ward said that the chief reason for the creation of the Government Valuation Department was to correct the valuations of the local bodies, which were too low As a proof of the reliance placed on the Government valuation rolls, he adduced the fact that the Municipal Conference had that day asked the Government to supply copies to the local bodies. As to the oft-told talc during the debate that Ihis Bill was only another turn of the screw, he mentioned that all that was derived from the property-owners was £200,000 as land tax and £IOO,OOO as mortgage tax. The second, reading was carried by 41 to 12, and, the House rose at 12.55 a.m. JOTTINGS. The Mayor of Dunedin occupied a seat on the floor of the House throughout yesterday’s proceedings In the opinion of the Minister of Kailways, members of the railway service should not be permitted to act as members of local bodies, as the latter are often brought into conflict with various departments of the State. Instructions have been given for the abolition of the existing conditions under which saw-millers and timber cutters who tender for the supply of railway sleepers are required to lodge a cash deposit. So -Mr Guinness was informed yesterday. When the amended Old Age Pensions Bill is introduced, an' opportunity will be afforded members of deciding whether eligible persons who may not be naturalised shall be entitled to draw pensions. For want of time, H.M.S. Royal Arthur cannot visit Port Chalmers on her present trip to this colony. The admiral's movements will not permit of it. So the member for Waikouaiti was informed yesterday by the Premier.

The Minister of Justice told Mr Arnold that he had no knowledge of gaol warders being on duty as much as 112 hours per week in winter and 159 hours per week in summer. If particulars were supplied, inquiries would be made. Mr M‘Gowan promised to consult the department as to granting holidays to gaol warders. Mr “Ironsand” Smith’s pertinacity has resulted in the Premier promising to place a sum of £I,OOO on the Estimates, in order to give the House an opportunity of discussing the advisability of increasing the bonus for the development of “Hoe Hem’s” pet industry. In view of the cordial reception given by the Municipal Conference to the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill, the Premier says that he has every hope of placing it on the Statute Book this year. Owing to tire large amount of legislation already in hand, the Minister of Justice cannot see his way to propose any scheme at present for the better classification of prisoners in our gaols, which Mr Collins asked for. At yesterday’s caucus the Minister of Railways protested against being treated differently in, the matter of salary to the rest of his colleagues, the Premier excepted, but there was a consensus of opinion that Mr Ward’s energy deserved special recognition. Mr Millar was assured that both the Postal Department and the Postmaster-General were alive as to the necessity of establishing a post and telegraph office at Roslyn. The difficulty is caused ly the inability to get a site in a central part of the district. “It is the sort of Bill that Oom Paul would have proposed to deal with the Uifclanders, only he was too astute a rascal to do such a thing.”—Comment of the Hon. J. D. Ormond on the Chambers of Commerce and Mines Registration Bill.

The Minister of Mines says that all applications for coal leases in Central Otago -win receive careful consideration by the department, which will grant additional leases under regulations drawn up by the Government. Such was the information supplied to Mr Millar, who complained that tie gold dredging industry was suffering for want of coal leases.

Arbor Day was the plea put forward by Mr Fisher for not sitting to-day. The Premier smelt a rat, and said he thought that members would be more profitably employed in Parliament than trying to pick winners at the races.

In the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon the Minister of Education gave notice of his intention to introduce the Education Boards Election Act, 1900, and the Separate Institutions Act, 1900. The Minister of Justice says that he cannot see his way to exempt all seamen in actual employment in the colony from service on any jury.—Mr Fraser (Napier): “I am very dissatisfied indeed with the answer. Officers and seamen on the Government steamers are exempt.—The Minister of Justice was surprised to hear it, and, if it were the law, at the first blush it seemed farcical. He was entirely opposed to granting exemption from service as jurymen to seamen.

Mr Massey intends to ask the Minister of Defence whether it is a fact that a number of men have left our Contingents in South Africa and joined the South African police or other force, and whether anything is being done to keep our Contingents up to the strength that they were when they left this colony. The irony of Fate. It was Mr Grattan Grey’s “ turn ” in the Gallery while the report of the Select Committee was being read censuring him severely for setting the Committee at defiance.

Mr Fraser (Wakatipu) intends to ask whether it is a fact that wardens in Central Otago have been requested by the Mines Department to refuse applications for licenses to mine for coal.

The Railway Department Las despatched to America Mr J. Harris, of the locomotive branch, to supervise the construction of rolling stock which is being procured there. Mr Spragg is already mentioned as the probable successor of Mr Grattan Grey. The latter threatens litigation for wrongful dismissal.