POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 12307, 23 September 1904, Page 7

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 23. A REMARKABLE SUGGESTION. The Kaipara Flats branch of tho New Zealand Farmers’ Union lias forwarded to the Minister in charge of the Valuation Department (the Hon. C. H. Mills) a resolution passed by the branch to tno effect that members recognised the serious cost of periodical valuation of properties, and they therefore recommended that the Government permit farmers to value their own properties, thus saving expense to tho country. They felt assured that a better valuation would result. No doubt! But probably a different valuation would bo suggested when loans were applied for under tho Advances’ to Settlers Act. THE MAjONGATAROTO LICENSE. The recent removal of a hotel license to Maungataroto against, so it was alleged, tbo desire of tho people of the district was referred to iu the House last night. Mr Fowlds, having the case in mind, expressed the hope that the Premier would stick to his clause providing that under no circumstances could a lapsed license bo removed beyond a mile in country districts or half a mile in boroughs.—Mr A. L. D. Fraser said such evils were brought about by corrupt licensing committees, but the Premier and members of the No-lioense party had refused to abolish those in favor of Supreme Court Judges.—Mr Taylor : What about the magistrate in connection wish the Maungataroto ease He shifted a license in defiance cf tho Committee.—Mr Baumo: No; tho Committe* were unanimous. The removal was effected by the rote of the Committee, and, according to general report, tho magistrate had not voted on the question. THE COOK ISLANDS. Tho Cook and Other Islands Government Act Amendment Bill, introduced vesterduy, makes the previous Act, originally passed for two years, permanent. It also declares that all unappropriated lands within the islands, subject to occupation by natives, are Crown lands, but uo interference should be made with titles granted, or to be granted, by the Land Titles Court. The Order-in-Couneil constituting tills Court is confirmed. In connection with public pearl-shell and turtle-fishing reserves, regulations may be made touching the use of diving macliines, fixing a close season, and requiring fishers to bo licensed. After the dose of the present financial year arikas courts arc to be abolished iu any of tho islands to which a European resident agent has been appointed by the Governor, and their powers shall revert to the agent. From the 31st March next each of lire existing Island Councils shall consist of nine members, constituted from the resident agent, who shall be president, the arikas to bo the remaining members, to be elected by tho adult natives of the island, for a term not exceeding three years. WHY THE MAORIS ARE DECREASING! On the subject of sterility and infant mortality amongst Maoris Dr Pomare, in bis annual report to the Public Health Department, writes as follows :—“ It has been said that the Maori women are sterile, and that is one of the reasons why the Maori is decreasing. While I do not deny this statement in its entirety, still I think this stale of sterility is more or less limited to the aristocratic Maori. When you look through tho list of our noted men you find that most of them are hairless, but not so with the plebeian. They are productive enough, oniy more than half of the children die before they reach mature years. Winy the aristocratic Maori is unproduc live is probably due to the following reasons:—First, consanguineous marriages; second, the partial adoption of patch a habits and costumes, promoting diseases affecting the generative organs. There is no doubt that consanguineous marriages, which are more or less limited to persons of high rank, result in the extinction of aristocratic lines. The second reason is evident enough, for Maori women are martyrs to female complaints which are due to carelessness, neglect, aud exposure. If wo could save half of the children who die annually there would be a marked increase in the Maori population. The-main causes for the infant mortality arc, first and greatest, ignorance concerning the bringing up of babies; second, unsuitable food; third, bad clothing ; fourth, bad ventilation ; fifth, improper nursing, • and non-attendance ■nf qualified physicians when sick; sixth, t«hungaism and superstition; seventh, prejudice. TAXING STEAMSHIP COMPANIES. 'The Hon. G. C. Bowen asked in the Council yesterday whether the Government would make representations to the Colonial Office to prevent the double taxation (by the New Zealand and Imperial Governments) of the profits of shipping companies trading between New Zealand and England. The At torney-General replied that the Agents-Gencral of several of the colonies had made representations to the British Government on the subject. No despatch, however, had yet been received in connection with Die matter. He agreed with Mr Bowen regarding tho inequitable nature of the British Government’s action. HARBOR ENDOWMENTS.

The Harbors Act Amendment Bill (Hru. D. Pinkerton) passed through committee unamended in the Council yesterday, aud was read a third lime. It had previously been piloted through the elective Chamber by Mr Millar. It allows compensation to he assessed under the Public Works Act for endowments “commandeered” by the Government, NARROW STREETS. (Mr Bedford wants to know whether, seeing the way in which settlement of land round Dunedin la beinjr checked by the unforeseen o[>eration of the Public Works Act of laet year, the Government will adopt either Mr JL’llar’s amending Bill or introduce a measure having the same effect. JOTTINGS. The total area planted with forest trees under the State Forests Act up to the 51st March last was 18,543 acres, the cost of planting being £59,076. Three hundred and sixty-eight acres have been destroyed hy fire, and tho estimated present value of plantations is £52,209. It is proposed to expend £27,658 on forest tree plantations during the present year. “I have an insight into tho future; I know what is comirig.”—The Premier, in anticipating objections which Le expected to be raised in tho course of debate. Tho necessity for the acquisition of the Greenfield Estate for close settlement purposes was strongly pressed on the Government by Messrs T. Mackenzie, Arnold, and Bcnnct. Mr Herries has always held the opinion that no member of the House should act on Pioyal Commissions. Such reward, while not altogether a species of bribery, was intended to placate Ministerial supporters. Sir William Russell: “ We are a browbeaten, cowed, typorons House, afraid to stand up for our rights.”—Sir Joseph Ward : “I don’t think so.”—Sir William: “Whatever courage members have escapes from their moutlis when a division is taken. Their heart, or their legs, take them into the wrong lobby.” Mr Davey is asking whether it is proposed to introduce a measure this session to amend the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, ana, if so, will the Government direct that such measure shall be referred to experienced persons connected with charitable aid boards in the chief centres of tho colony previous te its being placed before members. Mr Laurenson is inquiring as to what

steps it is proposed to take with a view to putting the Inebriates’ Home at WaitaLi on a better footing than it at present octuj ies. As competent authorities declare that perch spawn in the summer and not in the winter, Mr Bedford urges that Inquiries be made with a view to altering the ume of the close season. Mr Laurenson suggests that the ppvilcges of work-women’s tickets shall bo extended to shop girls, junior clerks, and others under twenty-one years of age who have to travel regularly on the railways, but who do not require to be at their work till nine o'clock in the morning.