POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 11621, 4 July 1902, Page 4

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[Faoit Otra FiOuxAjatrauEtT Bacrattn.] WELLTKGTQN, Jury 4. - r A STATE BANK. M inntpiion to all members of. hoSf Houses of the Legislature to attend a meeting .this forenoon re establishment of State .-bank was. responded to by the foHewing:—Legislative Council • Hona. (chairman), W. M. Bolt. W.Kelbr,"JfcUe* Smith, J. Bigg, B. Harris,''and W. T. 3«iniags. House *of Representatives: Messrs J. Coivin, H. G. EH, P. R. Flatman, GIFowlds, R. M. Houston, G. M'Kenzie, B. Meredith, J. A.Millari*B. M. Smith, G. J. Smith, W. J. Stewa&F W. Symes, and W. Tanner. On the motion, of Mr G. J. Smith, seconded by MajorSteward, it was resolved that, in order to obtain the fullest possible information on the question of ostabhahing a State bank, the Acting-Premier be requested to mote for the appointment of a select committee from both Houses to fully investigate the question and report at the earliest possible moment this session. It was further d*-. cided that the conveners of the meeting be the Horns. T. W. M. Bolt, Messrs E!l and Millar, and that they interview- Sk J. G: Ward on the question. POLICE PROVIDENT FUND. The report of the police "provident food submitted to Parliament shows that during thcyear ended March 31 last four sergeants, one detective, and six constables retiredj under the Act and were placed on the fund, and there were then one ex-inspector, seven ex-sergeants, eleven ex-constables, one exdetective, one widow, and three chfldrea on the fund, their aggregate annual allowance being £1,896. The balance-sheet and statement of receipts" and disbursements! disclose that on March 31 there was a balance to credit of the fund of £14,578, which represents an increase of £5532 on the amount at Ua corresponding date of the preceding year. This- very prosperous condition of the fund (says Mr M'Gowan, chairman of the Board j>i Administration) is mainly attributable to many of the members who are eligible to retiro not thus far having availed themselves of the right to do so. ORGANISED OPPOSITION WANTED. That party government cannot properly be carried on without organised opposition was experience last session. The Opposition have therefore determined to revert to the old order of things and appoint a leader. No action will be taken till the Return of the member for Bruce from Fiji next week. Sir W. Russell will not be the new leader. RAILWAYS SUPERANNUATION BILL, The Government Railways Superannuation Bill is on the same lines as the Bill of last session. It provides for the establishment of a superannuation fund, consisting of contributions from the employes and a subsidy from the Government. Each employe suffers a reduction "of 3 per cent. in wages, the Government paying an equal amount. The fund is to be administered by a board consisting of the Minister of Railways, Solicitor-General, Public Trustee, general manager, and two persons elected by the members of the first division, one representing the North Island and other employes, and two persons similarly elected by members of the second* division. The benefits of the fund will' depend upon the length of service, and are calculated at the rate of one-sixtieth of the average annual rate of pay for each year of service. SOMEONE HAS BLUNDERED. When the Payment of Members Bill was ' before the House last session subsection 3, section 5, Payment of Members Act 1892, was repealed on the motion of Mr T. Mackenzie, with the view of substituting "fourteen" for "five," thus extending to a fortnight the period of absence permitted to a member without deduction from his honororium. It now transpires that the clause is inoperative, in that in the attempted amendment of the subsection which was repealed in 1893 absence is only permitted for five days without deduction, and the unanimowl desire of the House cannot be given effect to. THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. In the House this afternoon Mr Pirasai ayked, without leave, by whose authority the privilege of admitting strangers to the floor of the House had been taken away, and had th 4 Speaker been consulted?— Sir M. O'Rorke replied that with the prorogation his control of the House ceased; and the custody was vested in the hands of the Ministers. The change had been made without his knowledge, but had his approval, because it was objectionable for strangers on the floor consulting with members.—The Acting-Premier said the change had been made in deference to repeated expressions of wishes by members during last session, and the remark was received with a chorus of approval. MR PIRANTS AMENDMENT. Mr Pirani moves as an amendment io the second reading of the Government Railways Superannuation Fund Bui that the second reading be adjourned to enable the measure to be remodelled so that pensions granted to contributors shall be,equal to or-e-sixtieth of a yearfs salary for every vear of service.