POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 11693, 26 September 1902, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[FiOJC OUB PaJUIAMKNTABT RkPOKTUB.] WELLINGTON, September 26. FISHERIES CONSERVATION. Immediately formal business was disposed of yesterday the House went into committee on the Fisheries, Conservation Act; Amendment Bill. In danse 4, allowing the occupier of land or some person appointed by him in writing to fish without license in any stream running through his land, the words “ or someone appointed by him in writing ” were struck out, on tne motion of Mr Hornsby. This limits the power to fishing without license to the occupier of the land.—Mr Hanan wished to enforce a nominal fee of one shilling for licenses for the occupier of the land, so that the Acclimatisation Sodety might have control of the number of people fishing, but the House would not accept the amendment.—An amendment was made in clause 6, on tho motion of Major Steward, to give the Governor-in-Coundl power to refuse a license to any person convicted of a breach of the Act.—Two new clauses were added, on the motion of Mr Hanan, giving any ranger appointed under the Act the power to seize nets and other appliances intended to be used in a manner contrary to the Act.—Major Steward moved the following new danse:—“lt shall be lawful for any acclimatisation society to expend moneys in the purchase of land for camping grounds for anglers, and in the erection thereon, or on any lands vested in such, society, of necessary buildings for their accommodation, and in otherwise providing for their convenience.”—At the suggestion of the Acting-Premier the words “ subject to the consent of the Minfeter” were added at the beginning of the tlause, which was then carried.—Mr Barday next proposed that “the holder of a license issued under regulations made under the principal Act shall, while such license continues in force, be entitled > to enter and traverse the bed of any stream over which such license extends, and any land within one chain of such stream, not being part of a garden or orchard, and no such entry shall be deemed to be a tres?ass on the lands of any riparian owner.” bis -was lost by an overwhelming majo rity on the voices, only the voice of Mr Barclay being given in its favor.—The Act-ing-Premier wished to propose a new clause giving the holder of a fishing license power to traverse the bed of a stream on private land if consent of the owner were first obtained. Some objection was raised, however, and Sir Joseph withdrew the clause, saying that the matter could be allowed to be arranged between anglers and the owners of land.—The Bill was then reported from committee, read a third time, and passed. POST AND TELEGRAPH SERVICE. The Acting-Premier, in moving the second reading of the Post and Telegraphic Department Amendment Bill, informed the House that it improved the position of certain of the lower grades in that department.—Mr Millar complained of cases of hardship which existed, by which men who had grown old in the service of the department, and who had not had the opportunity when young of passing the Sixth Standard, were now debarred from work in the mail room, for which they were competent, simply because they could not produce a Sixth Standard certificate. There were only a few men in the colony affected by this rule.—The Acting-Premier promised to consider an amendment in committee to meet such cases. —In the course of debate Mr Fisher spoke on behalf of tho exchange clerks, saying that there were many officers of the department who had not so many years of service, and whose hours of labor were not so long, who were drawing much better pay than these clerks. These clerks had to work at night and on Sundays and holidays, and the two weeks’ leave quarterly made no material difference to them.—Mr Napier spoke to similar effect.—Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of Ids reply, said that it was intended to increase the pay of exchange clerks.—The Bill was read a second time on the voices. —ln committee, clause 3 was amended to provide that every distributor appointed since September 13, 1890, shall count his service for seniority from that date.—The Bill was reported and read a third time. COOK ISLANDS GOVERNMENT. In the third reading debate on the Cook and Other Islands Government Amendment Bill Mr Herries expressed regret that so little information had been supplied by tie Govern mint regarding our most recent possessions, which were likely to prove a millstone round the necks of the people of the colony, and were not calculated to bring in revenue.—Mr Napier dissented from the lugubrious prophecies of the member for the Bay of Islands. There were higher considerations in the extension of the boundaries of New Zealand than mere moneymaking. With a settled form of government of a simple kind, he believed that the Cook Islands might be made profitable to the natives themselves, to this colony, and to the Empire generally. He agreed with the provision made in committee limiting the operations of the principal Act for a period 1 of two years, by the end of which time he hoped a proper system of government would be devised. The present condition of the islands certainly required investigation, and possibly it would be as well to appoint a stipendiary magistrate and one or two justices (native chiefs of high character) for the outlying islands.— Mr James Allen drew attention to the fact that no member of the Government had visited the _ group or ‘made himself acquainted with the requirements of the natives from knowledge gained by experience on the spot.—Mr Pirani said that of *ll the wild goose chases promulgated in New Zealand the annexation of the Cook Islands was the worst. It would, he predicted, always prove costly of administration. —-Sir W. Russell’s speech was characteristically pointed. He merely said that the Cook Islands afforded an object lesson of what might have happened had we obtained Fiji, and then resumed Ills seat. — The Acting-Premier, in reply, pointed out that the Bill only provided tentative government—viz., for a period of two years. It was tho intention of some members of the Government to visit the Cook group during the recess, and familiarise themselves with the position of the natives.—On the motion that the Bill be read a third time, MrtHerries called for a division. The third reading was affirmed by 46 to 16, and the Bill passed its final stage. MUNICIPAL REFORM. A large number of amendments have been pade by the Select Committee of the House n the Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill. A new clause has been added providing that in the case of a united borough the Council shall consist of not less than twelve nor more than fifteen councillors, exclusive of the mayor. The clause relating to petitions for the constitution of a united borough has been struck out, and new clauses substituted. These provide that a poll shall be taken of the electors of at least one of the boroughs, and the poll must be taken within thirty, days after at least 10 per cent, of the have sent to the Council a requisition for a poll. If the petition is in favor of the proposal, but not otherwise, a petition must, within thirty days, be presented to the Governor by the Council in which the poll was taken praying that each borough be constituted one united borough. The proposal in the Bill regarding the election of a mayor within two months of the time fixed for the annual mayoral election has been amended by providing that it shall only apply upon the constitution of a new borough. A physical training school or gymnasium has been added to the list of institutions which a Council may assist, and a Council is also empowered. to assist this and the institutions and objects mentioned in sections 365 and 357 of the Act of 1900 by money or grant or lease of land. The clause relating to the payment of subsidy by the G<£ vernment is amended by providing that the subsidy shall not be payable on rates ex-pended-in contributing to the funds of any other local authority “on which subsidy is payable under any ..other Act,” such as the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards Act. THE HOME FEVER.

That penod of tho session when members rush the business through in an anxiety to reach their homes with all convenient haste

has arrived. When, therefore, yesterday the Acting-Premier announced that it was intended to terminate the session on Wednesday next, if possible, there was a chorus of approval, Sir W. Russell alone protesting against the unnecessary haste. Both branches of the Legislature sit on Saturday and Monday. Despite Sir J. G. Ward’s confidence as -to dosing on Wednesday, I adhere to my " tip ” of some weeks ago that it will be Friday, October 5, when proposal, 1011 is reached. The session, even then, will not have occupied fourteen weeks—the briefest on record for many years; and the honrs of sitting will also on an average show a falling off—a dual tribute to the Acting-Premier's tact and conduct of public business.

THE COLONIES AND THE NAVY. Replying to some remarks made in the House by Sir William Russell, urging the importance of colonial naval defence, the Acting-Minister of Defence said that if tho British navy had not maintained a progress equal to that of Germany, as had been suggested, it was not the colonies that were to blame, but the Imperial authorities. For the Imperial warships in commission Britain had not sufficient men to man; but when the necessity arose he was confident that the sailors in our merchant ships and steamers would respond to the call, just as our volunteers had done in South Africa, and they would make excellent men-o’-warsmen with very little training. The Government recognised it as their duly to encourage our lads to adopt a sea life, to join the naval squadron in these waters, and to become available for service on the vessels of the British navy. The Government were moving in this direction. The other colonies were moving on the same lines, and be had no fear but that the object in view—to provide for the manning of the navy—would be realised. A STRATEGIC. RETREAT. A little after half-past five yesterday afternoon, when most of tho members were on the move, several messages were announced from the Legislative Council. Ono of these declared that tho Council disagreed with an amendment made in committee of the House on the motion of Mr Hornsby, member for Wa rarapa, in tho Old Age Pensions Amendment Bill. The original clause was to effect that if any old person had reached the pension age and was possessed of property on which he had resided for ten years preceding his application, of the value of £3OO, P™ could, by conveying to the Public Trustee the said property, draw the fol'. pension. It will thus be seen that any thrifty old couple could, when they reached the pension age, make over their property, • 6 If ren *" rce> and draw the full pens|oa - opon the existing law is that there is in it no such provision as a reward for thrift, but if the clause had been passed originally as printed it would have been valueless, or nearly so. Mr Hornsby therefore, had moved to strike out the words m reference to ten years’ residence, so that only an old couple or person with a property worth £3OO (though they had only come into possession of it a week before reaching the pension age) should be enabled to take advantage of the new proposal. Cn a division, Mr Hornsby’s amendment was earned by 30 votes to 25. Evidently the Minister had exerted his influence to have the words reinserted in the Council, and when the Message was read yesterday the Hon. C. H. Mills moved that the Counamendment bo agreed to. The words had, he declared, been sent in without explanation.—Mr Hornsby rose to protest, and asked that be be heard at 7.50. This was agreed to.—Apparently Ministers were advised that the member for Wairarapa had a majority behind him, and on the Homse resuming the M nfster of Customs performed a strategic movement to tho rear. He asked leave to withdraw his motion, and then moved to disagree with the Council and to appoint Messrs Hornsby, Tanner, and himselt as managers.—-Wa-ratapa scored heavily, and the Opposition chaffed the Minister for ms volte face. INEBRIATES’ HOMES. In moving the second reading of the Inebriates’ Institutions Act Amendment Bill in the Legislative Council, tho Minister said it had been found necessary to have power to stricter measures in the best jpterests of those moat closely concerned. Ihe second reading was agreed to without debate. MR FISHER AGGRIEVED. Complaint was made by Mr George Fisher that references he had made in Committee oi Supply to the Lyttelton Harbor had been omitted from ‘Hansard.’—Sir G. M. ORorke pointed out that Supply proceedings were not reported verbatim, and that apparently the matter was not pertinent to the issue. He declined to hear more on the subject. Mr hj isber petulantly observed that ho would take an opportunity, on the Appropriation Bill, of reviewing the whole question of ‘ Hansard ’ reporting, MORE AMENITIES. There was a sharp rally last evening between two of the members who hold different views regarding the Land Titles Protection Bill—a measure dealing with disputed native lands then under consideration. Mr Atkinson, a Wellington lawyer, in a bitterly antagonistic speech, characterised the measure as obnoxious, abhorrent, and contemptible.—This brought Mr Fraser (of Napier), a native agent, to his feet, and, speaking with much warmth, he charged Mr Atkinson with* having changed his views on the question from a former occasion.—Mr Atkinson interjected: “No; read my remarks.”—The member for Napier declined the proposal, and remarked that when he wished to be ill he took an emetic, but to read the hon. gentleman’s speech again would make him too bilious. He charged Mr Atkinson with uttering a deliberate untruth, but on being called to order substituted “ contrary to fact ” —the parliamentary form of giving one the lie direct. THE MORTGAGE TAX. The Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill, which makes provision for the reduction of the Mortgage Tax by one-fourth, was passed through committee'in the House last night, and was read a third time. LAW SOCIETIES. The Law Societies Bill, which validates the appointment of the president and vicepresident of the Law Society, was put through its second and third readings in the House yesterday. A DISAGREEMENT. The first conference held in connection with the Mining Act Amendment Bill failed to arrive at a compromise. A second conference is to be held. COMPANIES LAW. There was no debate in the House over the second reading of the Companies Act Amendment Bill, which, the Acting-Premier explained, was intended to prevent an injustice from being done in consequence of a clause in the existing Act. Clause 5 of the present Bill, he said, provided that the enforcement of a call and tho forfeiture of shares should be dependent on the payment of calls by directors. The Bill was passed unamended through committee, and was read a third time. FINAL STAGES. The Pacific Cable Extension and Courthouse Sites Exchange Bills passed their third readings in the House yesterday without debate. The Australasian Naval Defence and land Titles Protection Bill were debated at some length on their third readings. Mr Atkinson divided the House on the lastnamed measure, the third reading of which was carried by 47 votes to 8. SHAREBROKERS. Considerable discussion took place over the committee stage of the Share bunkers Bill in the Council, mainly in regard to the interpretation of the word “shareholder” and as to the extent to which the provisions of tho measure would apply.—q% e Hon. D. Pinkerton lemaiked that the community had been robbed by sharebrokers for years, and would continue to be robbed under this’Bill. He moved to report progress, which was lost. Sharebroker” was defined as meaning “any person who sells or purchases any shares for or on behalf of or as agent for any other person on consideration of remuneration for effecting such sale or purchase.” It was further decided that “no person shall act as a sh rebroker unless he is the holder of a sharebroker s 1 ceme.” Oa the motion of the Hon. T. Kelly, it was resolved by 20 to 7 to delete the provision fixing the minimum penalty at £6O for a breach of the kst-awntioned clause,. Only

a maximum penalty of £IOO. is now provided.—lt was resolved, on the jnotion of the Hon. J. E. Jenkinson, to give the Commissioner of Stamps power to “suspend” or “cancel” a license.—The Hon. J. E. Jerkinson succeeded, • by 10 votes to 9, in strTring out the provision that after a sharebroker’s license has been cancelled he shall not thereafter be entitled to a license unless the Commissioner of Stamps is satisfied that Le is a fit person to bold it.—Clause 9, which provides the procedure when a member of a Stock Exchange is expelled for any default or breach of the rules, was struck out by 15 votes to 7.—A new clause was added on the motion of the Him. T, Kelly, giving Stock Exchanges pow A to make rules for the conduct of the Exchanges and their members.—A new clause was also added giving power to a sharebroker, on account of illness or absence from the colony, to appoint a substitute for a period not exceeding six months.—The Bill, as amended, was then reported. BIRDS NUISANCE. The Birds Nuisance Bill was further considered in committee in the Council last evening. Clause 9 was amended so as to increase from 100 yds to 400 yds the distance within which poison must be laid from an inhabited house without the consent of the occupier.—At clause 11, the Hon. J. E- Jenkinson moved to strike out the provision fixing the minimum fine for obstructing an inspector. This was carried by 11 to B.—The Bill was reported. BILLS ADVANCED A STAGE. The Victoria College Site Bill was read a second time pro forma in the Council yesterday afternoon, and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. The Accident Insurance Companies Bill was read a second time pro forma in the legislative Council last night, and referred to the Labor Bills Committee. THE COST OF LIVING. In view of the large increase in the price of meat and other provisions, Mr Napier wants the Government to increase tho allowance to volunteers at camps of instruction from Is 6d per man per diem to 2s 3d per man, now that money is available. JOTTINGS. Mr Benneb is urging the Minister of Works to increase the number of men employed on tho Otago Central and Heriot Extension Railways. .Mr E. M. Smith wants prizes or bonuses given to station-masters or station employees for the best-kept grounds attached to railway stations on the New Zealand lines. KAURI GUM. This measure was put through its various stages in the House last night. The Minister of Lands explained it to be a measure to give the Government better facilities for regulating matters in connection with the kaun gum fields of the North. Provision was made that kauri gum might be dug on State forests.-—The Bill was passed through committee without material amendment. INSPECTION OF MACHINERY. The above Bill was reported from committee with amendments, read a third time, and passed. ’