PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Issue 7059, 19 July 1901, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

(Post.) COST OF DESPATCHING CONTINGENTb. From the ' despatches which have passed between the Governor and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, presented to Parliamentyestorday, it appears that the cost of conveying the first five New Zealand Contingents to South Africa wos as follows:--First, by s.s. Vaiwera, £11,800 ; Second, by s.s. Waiwera, =614,175; Third, by s.s. Knight Templar, £5317 Is 8d; Fourth and Fifth, by s.s. Monowai, £12000, by b.s. Gyrneric, £12,375, by s.s. Maori. £9975, by s.s. Waimate, £12,900, besides a sum of £ 5949 14s 2d for insuring quick despatch. His Excellency also forwarded to the Secretary of State a memorandum which lie had received from the Premier suggesting, in view of the difficulties experienced in procuring vessels to convey the colony's contingents to South Africa, that His Excellency should represent to the Imperial Government the expediency of authorising colonial Governments by legislation is neces?ary, to commandeer vessels of the British mercantile marine that may be suitable to be used as troopships should occasion arise to render it necessary to do so. PARLIAMENTARY AMENITIES. The other night the Premier was understood to connect the personality of the member of Eiccarton with the name of Judas Iseariot. Mr Eussell " got one. back " last evening, when he stated that he had always given conscientious expression to his opinions. He knew the Premier had risen to great heights, but could not believo that he had yet risen to the height of the person whom Judas betrayed. ME FISHEE'S EXPECTATIONS. Mr Fisher told the House last evening that there was no blinking the fact that dissatisfaction existed in connection with the recent selections of Ministers made by the Government. For his pait he had never expected to be appointed a Minister. He had written to the Premier after each election stating that he (Mr Fisher) expected nothing. " And he that expecteth nothing," concluded the member for Wellington, " that shall he have; and I've got it." ' WELLINGTON TO NEW PLY- , MOUTH. The Minister for Railways made an important announcement to the House yesterday on the subject of the train service from Wellington to New Plymouth. Last session, he stated, he informed the House that he would be glad to consider the question of a daily through service, if there were a daily steamer service between New Plymouth and Onehunga. So far that service had not been instituted, but in the interests j of the settlers along the line and the improvement of the connection between Wellington and New Plymouth, ho considered the time had arrived for a train to be run through every day. He proposed to commence that daily service in the summer months, and he^urged that in the meantime representations should be made to the shipping companies to | run steamers daily, so as to connect with the trains. JOTTINGS. It would, says the Minister for Eailways, cost from £1,500,000 to £2,000,000 to reduce the steep grades and improve the numerous sharp curves between Palmerston and Hawera, as recommended by Mr M'Guire.

One good trait ill the Premier's character, says Mr Pirani, is that lie is always open to conviction when there is a majority against him, and to that lie owes his success.

The Minister for Public Health • says he is not aware that Inspectors under the Slaughtering and Inspection Act are in some cases accepting other remunerative appointment. If that sort of tiling is done lie does not agree with it. The Minister for Agricultural informed Mr Barclay that steps will be taken to provide for the inspection of pigs before they are killed for food. Mr Willis wants the Minister for Railways to make single-fare railway, tickets available for one week.

The Premier gravely informed the House yesterday afternoon that a laughing jackass which lie imported from Australia had been done to death by a weasel at the Ministerial residence in Molesworth-street.

"It seems to me these old political einners are the worst of all," said Mr Pirani when the Premier boasted ol his long Parliamentary experience. The man Thomas Looney, now in Mount View Asylum as a criminal lunatic, is, says Mr Pirani, quite sane, and ought to be removed. The Minister for Justice says he will inquire into the matter.