Political Notes.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6785, 30 August 1900, Page 4

Political Notes.

(H.B. Herald.)

TRADING STAMPS.

Ttie Public Petitions Committee reported this afternoon oh the petition of J. Tremain and 589 others, of Auckland, praying that the bill for the abolition of trading stamps now before the House may become law. The committee report that the bill be referred to the Government for consideration. LEVEL CROSSINGS. Mr David Knight, of Hawera. recently asked the House for compensation for loss and damage sustained at a level crossing near Hawera, on 11th February, IS9B. The Railways Committee reported to-day that a compassionate allowance of .£SO be nllowed to petitioner. - PARLIAMENTARY SWEATING. Mr G. W, Russell (Riccarton) Lo-night speaking on the utterances of members with respect to limiting the hours of tabor, said he knew of an officer within the Parliamentary buildings who during the session Jiad to work from 94 to 95 hours per week at 10s a day, and he was prepared to give the name of the officer if necessary (The Minister for Lands, " You make short speeches and we shall get home earlier.") Mr Russell : " The honorable gentleman (Mr Duncan) wants me to follow his example, but I shall not do it." The Speaker; at the close of Mr Russell's remarks asked the member for Riccarton to furnish him with the name of the overworked individual he had referred to. and he (Sir Maurice.O'Korke) would inquire into it. (" Hear, hear.") Mr Russeil said he should do so, and the matter dropped. THE AMENDED TARIFF. A good deal of surprise was manifested to-nighfc when Mr Seddon submitted hisamended tariff proposals. The fred'i (iuiies, as they were read out by Mr Guinness, the Chairman of Committees, were heartily cheered by a few uf the " Boxers." They were evidently not appreciated by the whole of that &cot.ion, us M.r "Roderick M'Kenzie called for a division on the motion of the adoption of the amended taiifl'. He did not, however, press the division, the result being thnt the new duties were passed without the slightest opposition. The Colonial Treasurer, in speaking on the tariff alterations, said that he had in no way receded from the position he had taken.up the other night, when the Customs duties he had brought down in his Budget were carried unanimously, He had novv in the amended duties added to the free list, and the Government had also to consider the effect of the proposed duties on the industries of the colony; Mr Seddon made a lengthy explanation of the new proposals and the reasons which had actuated him in bringing them down.