POLITICAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12573, 7 August 1901, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

[Prom Our Special Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August 6. THE RETURNED TROOPERS. In the House of Representatives to-day, Mr G, W. Russell, amid laughter, gave notice to ask whether in the terms of Mr Rudyard Kipling, the Government will “pay, pay, pay” the arrears due to members of the returned' Contingents. THE WALLSEND MINE. After the report of the Coal Mines Commission had been presented, Mr Guinness read a protest from a number of miners employed in tho Wollsend mine, who state that Mr Martin Kennedy’s evidence that tho mine is worked out, and other similar statements, are incorrect. On the Premier’s motion, the matter 1 was .referred' : to the Mines Committee for investigation; A STATE COAL MINE: “It is the intention of the Government to open a State coal mine for State purposes as soon as Parliament gives the necessary authority andlappropriation,” said tire Premier this morning. “This session?” queried Mr Fisher. The -Premier replied affirmatively. Already the Government had appointed Mr M’Kay, the Government Geologist, Mr Hayes, the- Government Inspector, and Mr Gordon to select"a site, and he hoped before Parliament again met that a State coal mine would be at work. It was his (Mr Seddon’s) opinion that the people were almost blackmailed in respect to the price of coal, and that there was a combination in existence among those who supplied coal to, the dealers. THE FLOUR-MILLING TRADE. Mr Napier has given notice calling the attention of the Government to the format tion of a trust in the South Island to control the flour output, and wanting to know whether the Government will intro-' duco legislation this session- rendering illegal the formation of trusts so as to destroy competition.