POLITICAL NOTES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12869, 22 September 1904, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[nl IELSOBAVn, SPECIAL TO KIRAIS.] WFLLiNG'JUN, Wednesday. The Premier soys (hut in order 10 ruh'evo the wage-earners of heavy charges for house rent, the Government have junder consideration the amendment of the Land for Settlement Act, anil, if possible, the giving of an opportunity to the working classes in Wellington and elsewhere to be housed tit reasonable rents. STATE BANK NOTES. Replying to Mr Ell’s question whether the Government intended to assume the sole right of bank-note issue, the Premier stiid: Closely allied to this question, and not less important, is tho issue of State or postal notes, having behind the same bullion reserves on the lines adopted by Canada. The Government will bo only Inn pleased to give tho subject matter of the question Unit consideration which its importance demands. RAILWAY TRAVELLING. In answer to a question by Air Duthic, the Minister for Railways stated that the new carriages for short suburban journeys, while being of the type now usual on steam and electric suburban railways, really provide more space per passenger (ban is allowed in other countries. The Railway Department have already adopted the system of having one standard design of carriage for suburban and short distance services, and another standard design lor long journeys, and all new carriages are hieing built to such design according to \ote lines upon which they arc intendej-. to he used. CULTIVATION OF FLAX. Air T. Alrickcnzie asked the Alinister for Agriculture to day (1) What results of a practical nature have been obtained from tie cultivation of native llax; (2) whether it lias been demonstrated that it is possible to grow flax for mamifaeturingV'r export at a profit; (31 Have the donaK'ment decided on what varieties of IkfSf are the most profitable, and, if so, \will be kindly inform the House of IlieVrcßulta? Afr Duncan replied :-.gThe roofs planted at the experimental! fitrma last season are doing well, hut ‘ s it is ton early to be able to say what) the results will be. The several '.varieties will’ he’iiciud-wi'b ,a view_tq finding which is the best when the Tlax~W~ready to cut. A FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR INFORMATION. The Leader of the Opposition asked Air Scddon if lie could) as Colonial Treasurer, give the House information regarding the placing of a loan reported in Saturday's newspaper cablegrams. Had the Government plated such a loan, and, if so, under what authority and for what purpose? TLi? Premier said he bad noticed the paragraph, but that was all he knew about it. Ho said it was not tho custom in other Parliaments to comment adversely on the, financial operations of the Government, No loan could be placed without legal authority. Air James Allen: There is authority. The Premier; Well, if there is, members should compliment the colony on that fact. Mr T. Atackenzie: On 4 per cent, for par? The Premier; Well, ns far as I know, I know nothing. (Laughter.) That is really the answer, ami I am not to bo catechised on every paragraph that appears in the papers. .Supposing I ask the member for Bruce a question. Did bo say in (his House that this year we have to renew loans to the extent of three millions? Vet that was sent to Loudon by the correspondent of tho “Times.” Supposing tiro paragraph was manufactured—they arc manufactured for the purpose of getting questions asked—my position would he untenable. Had there been anything special, I am satisfied the Agent-Gene-ral would have communicated witii me. It may he some journalist in London sending this out for our benefit. I know nothing about it. Air Lewis; Oil, tell that to tho marines! The Premier; When 1 read it, I smiled, and I am sure members will smile with me. The Leader of the Opposition: Have (lie Government given authority to the loan agents to place such a loan as i» mentioned In the cablegram J The Premier: The Government have given no instructions to place any loan. 'I'Do Leader of the Opposition: Well, I hope the Treasurer will get the desired information before lie asks the House to pass an Imprest Supply Bill. The Premier; I fully anticipate that when I bring forward my Imprest »Bill this and tho £50,000 sale uitures will he again discussed. I am now giving you the information in anticipation. Air Buchanan: Giving the informs** linn!

The Premier: What more cam I say? I I know nothing about it. I know there, must lie some mistake. Sir William Russell: Have you taken any steps to find out the truth of the matter '' The Premier (smiling); If I did that you would complain about my unduly increasing the expenditure on tele, grams. Air James Allen explained that ho did say in the House that in the year 1904-5 thu colony had to renew £2.963,950. The Premier : That's right. Mr Allen; I am satisfied. Tho Premier: I will quote you the paragraph to show you how untruthful the “Times” correspondent is. Ho says this year. Air Allen: This year is 1904-5, is it not? The Premier; No, it is not, (Laughter). Air Allen : What is it, thenf The House then passed on to other business.