PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 16 August 1910, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY.

TALK IN THE LOBBIES, VIEWS FROM THE PRESS GALLERY. MR HIXE'S CHARGES, (By Telegraph.) (From Gur Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The Opposition has asked for a Royal Commission to inquire into Mr Hine's charges- against members, who are alleged to have received commissions from the Government in regard to land transactions. Unless Mr Hine will make some definite charge, however, and give the names of those involved, it is not at all likely that the Government will take action. "It would simply be setting out on a fishing exnedition," said a Minister of the Crown when asked about the likelihood of the Opposition reouest being granted, and that is tho opinion shared by all members of tho Government Party. BARMAIDS' REGISTRATION. Both the Canterbury and Southland Trades and Labour Councils have written to Mr Ell expressing approval of his Registration of Barmaids Bill which, if passed, would gradually eliminate all barmaids by providing that no registrations should take place after _a certain date. The Bill, however, is in a bad position on the Order Paper. AMALGAMATION OF LOCAL BODIES. ...r Ell's proposal that .the amalgamation of one district- with another shall be determined by a poll of those interested instead 'of by petition to tho Government, will be included in the Local Government Bill and the Municicipal Corporations Amendment _ Bill', tho last-named of which at least is expected to be passed this session. Mr Fil has received many letters commending the proposal. CHEAP MARRIAGES. The abolition of marriage fees as charged bv registrars, was urged last week by Mr T." E. Taylor, but did not meet with the approval of the Government. The member for Christchurch, North now contends that the Government/ should make this concession if it is sincere in its professions about keepin-' the cradles full. "As a rule," ho added, "only the poorer classes take advantage of the Registrar's office, and ilnv Should not be put to an expense approaching £3." At all events he urges the fees should be remitted in those offices where tho Government has people permanently employed at general work, of which the registration of marriages is onlv an incidental.

THE RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE. Tt is pointed out that the proposed amendments to the Shops and Offices Act do not provide for the non-employ-ment of assistants in rcfreshmen rooms after 9 p.m. Refreshment rooms will now bo included in the term "hotel." and the conditions prescribed in respect to hours for the assistants in such places are merely that an assistant shall not bo employed for more than 60 hours ■■w.-hiding meal hours) in any one week, or 56 hours in the case of persons under the age of 16 years : for more than ten hours in any one day : or for more than five hours continuously without an interval for a meal. This will enable assistants to be employed at almost any hours within the daily and weekly limits, a.s at nresent. The House resumes at 7.30 this evening, when members will resume their legislative duties after a three days' jr.!i nt in Auckland. The Hon. A. T. Ngata concludes his contribution to the Budget debate, and before the House rises for the night, the debate should b" finally out of the way. The O position has onlv one more cartridge left t u f n -e —Mr Rhodes' —and the Oovernni' nt's box of ammunition is almost exhausted. About 69 members have sn :ken on the Budget (more or less), end with few exceptions they have run th.'ir full hour. Unfortunately several members, early in the discussion, continued the old fashion of talking at their constituencies, instead of at New Zealand, and others believed that they might be misjudged in their electorates unless they did likewise. Hence came interminable harangues about little tilings—but one, may hope for the better after the excursion- among the great n-.-untains and over the roaring rivers. The members should be fresh from a living session in nature's open house. Tl>ry~needed a tonic after all the bickering, the recriminations, and the perscial explanations, and it is hoped that, much of the bitterness and pettiness will have been left behind on the high Wainiarino. There is much heavy work .•'waiting the full .measure of neutrality that the members are able to give. ROADS FOR COLDFIELDS. The Minister for Mines (Hon. R. McKenzie) states that most valuable assistance to the extent of £40.830 has been, granted for the construction of roads and tracks in the mining districts throughout the Dominion from the North Cape to Stewart. Island. I'm ads and tracks into the rugged ranges and gullies, where a great portion of i ut- mining operations are located, are the important assistance that can be rendered to our mining ' industry, not, only to facilitate the economical development of mines in full or partial operation, but also to -enable the prospector and the pioneer miner to penetrate further into the interior of our unexplored or partially explored mineral areas, and to permit of provisions and mining plant being brought into what has hitherto been, in many instances, almost inaccessible, if not impenetrable country. TWO MORE SCHOLARSHIPS. Tt i.s the intention of the Minister for Mines, in connection with the schools of mines, to oiler two more scholarships. In his annual mines statement the Hon. R. McKenzie. says: — There, are at, present four echolarships available in connection with examinations in gold-mining subjects, and no scholarships in connection with coal mining subjects. In onlv two years since their inauguration in 1895 have more than two of these scholarships been taken \\p in any one year. T now propose to establish two .scholarships for passes in coal mining subjects nn similar conditions to the (scholarships already available for gold mining subjects. The Minister adds that these schools i:< our mining districts, and the Dunedin school in connection with the. Otago University, are rendering excellent services to the young generation- of miners in this Dominion. The Government assistance granted to these, schools during the year amounted to £3261 8s 4d, making a total of £44.619 granted since their inception in 1885. being an average of £1777 a year duriii" the 25 yoar« of their existence. Tim results obtained can only be regarded as highly eatisfaci rv. During the year 100 students fiom the different mining districts pre--inted themselves for examination.