POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 12900, 24 August 1906, Page 4

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Oun Parliamentakx Reporter.} WELLINGTON, August 24, ANOTHER DISCREDITABLE INCIDENT. The member for Ashburton drew attention to himself again last evening. The previous night lie provoked Mr C. fi. Poole to a comment that was emphasised by the fact that the Speaker allowed it to pass. Last evening the member for Wairarapa, who occupies a seat behind that of Mr MHachlan, concluded his speech on the Address-in-Reply with a reference to that member. “Mr Speaker,” he said, “I must call your attention to the conduct of the member for Ashburton. It has gone on long, but at last I have to appeal to you to protect this House—at least, this portion of it—against the conduct, of the bon. member for Ashburton. He uses bad language; lie conies into the House in a state in wmch no man should come into an assemblage of this kind, and I appeal to you to protect this House against what has been going on all too long.”—The member for Ashburton rose to his feet and made some remark which was not audible in the gallery. ■ H« was interrupted by a personal explanation on another subject, and before that was finished be had relapsed into slumber. A FREE BREAKFAST TABLE. It having been announced that the Government have decided not to touch tba Tariff this session, Air Barclay has given notice to move—“ That, in the opinion of this House, the time has arrived when it is expedient in the interests of the colony that the State should take under its control such existing industries as are concerned with the supplies of the necessaries of life to the people.” THE NEW RAILWAY STATION. The new railway station at Dunedin will not be formally opened till the second week in November. Sir Joseph Ward informs me tliat he will go to Dunedin after tho opening of the Exhibition to perform the ceremony. The Railways Statement, which was presented to Parliament to-day, contains thin reference to tho new station: “ The new Dunedin station is approaching completion, and will be in occupation very shortly. It will supply much-needed facilities for tho transaction of public business.” JOTTINGS. Mr Davey wishes to know whether tho Government will favorably consider the advisability of amending the law in the direction of abolishing grand juries. In order that members may go to thcii homes not later than September, Mr Rutherford suggests that Parliament be .mmmoned early in May in each year. Sir Maurice O’Rorke, who is a member of the New Zealand University Senate, is again introducing a Bill enabling the New Zealand University io grant degrees of divinity. THE GOVERNMENT'S LAND POLICY. Regarding the complaints made as to the indefiniteness of the Governor’s Speech in respect to the Ministry’s land policy, I am in a position to say that their proposals will be set out in sufficient clearness in the Financial Statement <on Tuesday to remove all doubt and ambiguity as to the intentions of the Ministry on this plank of their policy. Further, it is understood that the Hon. Mr MNab will speak in the Financial debate, and remove the impression, which apparently exists in some quarters, as to his unsoundness in respect to the Land Question. THE LOAN PROPOSALS.

In view of the declarations of Ministers of their opposition to extravagant borrowing, I think it may be taken for granted that authority to raise a loan of one million will be asked for when tho Budget is disclosed. MARINE INQUIRIES. Regarding recent marine, inquiries at Auckland, the Minister of Marine states that regulations dealing with deck cargoes on scows and similar vessels and overloading have already been prepared, and are only awaiting the finding of the Acukland Court before being given effect to. The recommendation for extra assistance at tho Customs to enable effective inspection of small vessels loading will also be con*, sidered when the finding comes to hand. “ There have been so many terrible disasters to small vessels,” said the Minister, “that the questions of build and seaworthiness, and the trades they should engage in, will be considered. Plans of pontoon scows will be reported on by the marine draughtsman, and it will be necessary to reopen the river limits question.” Asked if the manning question would he reviewed, the Minister said that possibly a reduction of the river limits would result in tho improved manning of small vessels of tho Kapanti class. NEW BILLS. It is proposed by the Juries Act Amendment Bill of the Minister of Justice to enable a throe-fourths’ verdict to be accepted after three hours’ retirement in criminal as well as civil cases. Under the Firearms Bill of the Attor-ney-General the sale qf firearms to and the use of firearms by children is prohibited. The Juvenile Offenders Bill (the Hon. Mr M‘Gowan) provides ■ the procedure when an offender under sixteen is charged with any offence. In no case shall th< offender be allowed to remain in goal oi the lock-up pending the hearing of the case. NATIVE LAND COURT JUDGES. I understand that Mr M'Cormack, solicitor, of Auckland, and Mr Rawson (of Bunny and Rawson, Wellington) are to bo the new Judges of the Native Lands Court. IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. Tbo Minister of Marin© gave notice this afternoon of tho Harbor Boards’ Amendment Bill. This measure alters the constitution of boards by abolishing the nominative element. SESSIONAL COMMITTEES. The Premier announced his intention to set up the select committees this afternoon. With the exception of the Native Affairs Committee, all the committees will be restricted to ten members. THE JUDICIARY, Mr Fisher, as a matter of emergency, asked whether something would not be done to relieve the congestion of Supreme Court work throughout the colony. Mr Justice Williams was in England, Mr Justice Denniston was in a hospital, while Mr Justice Edwards was seriously indisposed. As a consequence, the work waa .borne by tho Chief Justice, Mr Justice Cooper, and Mr Justice Chapman. The Premier said the matter was already receiving the attention of the Government. Ho could not answer a question of sncl importance without notice.