POLITICAL NOTES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 19 August 1910, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES.

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES

There is an air of expectancy about the lobbies as to who will secure the Chairmanship of Committees, and the question of the Government's second string i s debated in some quarters. The position is that the issue will certainly he a party one, and there is no likelihood of the return of Mr. Eraser, the Opposition candidate. Mr. Davev will go fo the poll, as well a:s Sir William Steward, but it is probable that there will be an understanding as to whether Mr. Laurensoji. Mr. Russell, or Mr. Ha nan is to be supported. Mr. Laurenson. whose health has recovered to a .considerable extent, would probably receive an almost, unanimous Opposition vote in the event of Mr. Eraser bein-r fir-t eliminated. °

A PROMISING INVESTMENT. The mining industry since 1853 ha* contributed £108.000.000 to the national wealth of the New Zealand, and no better investment, says the Mines Report, is open to- the people of the Domiaiioji than granting reasonable assistance in extending prospecting tracks into the wood-clad and practically impenetrable ranges and gorges i- n which a. huge portion < t these mineral resonrcL\s are Never in the history of the Dominion were the prospects of the industry more promising than they are at present, and su-ibtanifial .progress is anticipated thi* year. During last year £4930 i u subsidies was paid to Mining Associations and prospectors in different parts of the Dominion, and a great deal of assistance wa. s given in other directions. KAURI GUM EXPORTS. The fluctuations in the .production and value of kauri gum are said to be somewhat surprising. During 1908 there was an extraordinary fall in production estimated at £207,090, but last year the industry made a phenomenal recovery, the exports increasing ,from 5530 tons in 190_3 to 8250 tons, a .nd the value from £3.0,798 to £552,698. The fluctuation, are ascribed to exploitation of the market. It may be remembered that next to gold the kauri gum exported from the Dominion has reached a higher value than any other mineral exported, the value being £15.000,000 since 1853.' AMALGAMATION OF LOCAL M,r. Ell's proposal that the amalgamation of one district with another' shall be determined by a poll of those interested, instead of" bv petition to the Govertme.nt, will be included in the Local Government. Bill and the- Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill,"the latter of which, at least, is expected to be pruned this session. Mr. Ell has received manp letters commending the proposal. RATING IN BOROUGHS.

The report of the Ohinemuri Silting Commission, remarking on the enormous amount of money paid to the Wailn borough in gold duty and goldfields revemie., states that it was probably never intended that this .source of" ine-ofr.e should redider the inhabitants of mining townships more immune from taxation by municipal rates than the citizens of other townships. The Commissioners state that they are satisfied that this revenue has led to municipal extravagance. In Waihi the total rates collected from a population of 5850 last year were -only £B3O, including £176 Government .subsidy, or 2s lOd per head of population.