POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 19614, 21 July 1927, Page 3

POLITICAL POINTS

FAULTY BALLOT PAPERS (FBOM OUK r AUI.IAM ENTAKT UII'OCXER.] WELLINGTON, July 20. , Tho Minister of internal Affairs is able to absolve himself completely from the odium of initiating the system, now generally condemned, of marking local election ballot papers with a cross. Answering Mr Sidey, who urged reversion to the striking out of tho name or issue not favored, Mr Bollard stated that the Municipal Conferences of 1919, 1921, 1923, 1924, and 1925, also certain counties’ conferences, passed remits urging that the present system bo adopted. In view of this it was considered that the Municipal Conference should have the opportunity of expressing an opinion on the proposal now made, and it had been suggested that thoso concerned submit the matter to next Municipal Conference. ■* * * * ASSISTING DESERTED WIVES. The Government is not prepared to amend the Family Allowances Act this session so as to enable married women who are supporting their families, and who have been deserted by their husbands, to come under the benefits of that Act. Mr Anderson, Minister in charge of pensions, states that an essential provision of the Family Aljowances Act is that the father must initiate the claim for an allowance. The Government is investigating the practicability of making provision in another direction for assisting deserted wives and families. * * * * SUGAR BEET. Investigations of the beet sugar industry iu other parts of tho world are being made by the Department of Industries and Commerce, states the Minister in charge of tho department, who added, in reply to Mr Sullivan; “During my recent visit to the Commonwealth of Australia! inspected the sugar boot factory at Maffra, Victoria. It is proposed later on in the session to place tho results of these investigations before the Industries and Commerce Committee of tho House, and to allow interested parties to give evidence on the local proposals,” * * * * BIG LAMB MORTALITY. Tho Department of Agriculture, states the Minister, has made good progress in its investigation into the exact cause of the mortality which occurs annually among the best and fattest lambs. Ho informed Mr Burnett that, so far as these investigations have proceeded, they confirm tho opinion previously held that dietetic conditions, not infections or contagions disease, are responsible for the trouble. _ The knowledge gained by these investigations, especially as regards preventive measures, is in the hands of the department’s veterinarian and tho inspectors fif stock, and they will be glad to advise aheepownors in every possible way. Special investigating officers will also take up the work again when the lambing season arrives. * a * * VARYING PRICES OF MANURE. Why North Island farmers are charged only £4 2s Gtl a ton for superphosphate, while £6 is being charged to South Island farmers, is a question from the Hon. D. Bmldo (Kaiapoi), which the Minister of Agriculture has answered, stating that tho difforoncq between the price of 44-46 per cent, superphosphate in the North and South Islands is primarily duo to the fact that in the North Island there is what may ho termed a “price war” being waged between manufacturers. The current cash price in tho South Island is £o 12s Gd a ton, on trucks, Invercargill. Burnside, Hornby—not £6. ns mentioned.

RADIO STATIONS—WAVE LENGTHS SETTLED. There is no intention to interfere with the wave lengths of the New Zealand broadcasting stations, states the Postmaster-General in reply to Mr Howard. Tho wave lengths' were fixed in 1925. Since then alterations have been made in Hie power and wave lengths of a number of Australian station:!. This necessitated _ consideration being given to the question or recasting New Zealand wave lengths. The delay in making any alteration was due to a report Hurt further changes were to he made in the wave lengths of Australian stations. As those changes will not now, it is 'believed, be made for somo time, it was decided to revise New Zealand wave lengths forthwith, and the following hand was decided on ; Christchurch. 30C metres, Auckland, 333 metros. Wellington, 120 metres. Dunedin, 463 metres. “ ft will bo found,” added Air Nosworthy, “that there ’S a wide separation in kilo cycles between each of the foregoing wave lengths and between the wave lengths of New Zealand and Australian stations, and it is understood that the present allocation is giving groat satisfaction.” CAVERSHAM INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. The Minister of Education announces that it is probable that the Industrial School buildings and site at Cavorsham will bo required by tho child welfare branch of the Education Department for somo time, and therefore it is not proposed to dispose of the property. This was in reply to Air Sidey’s suggestion flint the site be ottered to Dunedin City as a public, reserve. ik $ £ $ REGISTER OF MENTAL DEFECTIVES. Air Sidcy has been informed by Air Young, Afinister of Health, that the compilation of a register of feebleminded persons was a work which could not bo undertaken wtliout statutory authority. A move in that direction was contemplated, but until tho Government was in receipt of the report on tho subject which Dr Gray, who lias just returned from a trip of inquiry abroad, had in hand it was unable to determine the precise nature of the action proposed to bo taken. * * a* * MAKING UP TIME-A RAILWAY PRACTICE. A request was recently made by Air Sidey (Dunedin South) that the Minister of .Railways investigate what has been the effect of the rule which permits trains to make up time when they are running late in older to determine whether the practice should be disallowed in the interests of the safety of tho travelling public. Air Coates (Alinister of Railways) replied that the department’s time-table, issued to all members of the staff connected with train movements, gives full details of allowable speeds for all classes of trains and for all sections of opened lines. Engine drivers are not allowed under any circumstances to exceed the maximum- authorised speeds. Lost time may be made up only provided the maximum authorised speed is not exceeded. There has been no relaxation governing the speeds of trains —on the contrary, instructions in recent years have been made more explicit that tho maximum allowable speeds must not be exceeded.