Parliamentary.

Northland Age, Volume IV, Issue 49, 27 July 1908, Page 1

Parliamentary.

Nearly 100 residents of Tapuhi and Hukorenui are petitioning through Mr. Houston for a grant of £3OO for WaiotuHukerenui road. Mr. Houston has presented a petition on behalf of 105 residents of Waihou asking for a grant of £SOO for a road between Waihou and Puketi. Mr. Stallworthy said that there was great room for improvement in the regulations of the gum industry. The gum should be graded, as was done in the case of other industries. There should be a heavy export duty on unsorted gum. Mr. Okey urged that it would be impossible to bring the working of the Arbitration Act into operation as far as the farmers were concerned. The farmers were not like the tradespeople in that they had to compete in the open world market. Another attempt is to be made this' session to secure the abolition of the duty upon flour. A bill has been circulated in the uame of Mr. Hogg, member for Masterton, which aims at the removal of the duty levied on flour imported into New Zealand under the Tariff Act of 1907, and provides that on and after the coming into operation of this Act the duty shall wholly cease to be levied and collected. One of the biggest petitions yet to hand was that presented 1 y Mr. Houston, and signed by 368 Northern settlers. _ The petitioners point out that the main arterial route through the Bay of Islands is greatly in need of repairs, metal, and bridges, and the local bodies upon whom the upkeep of this road devolves are in straitened financial circumstances. It is, therefore, asked that out of the proposed expenditure of £250,000 per annum £30,000 should be allotted for the purpose of renewing and maintaining the arterial road traversing the Bay of Islands, Hokiauga, Whangaroa, and Mangonui Counties, including the deviation from Ohaeawai to Horeke. It is evident from what has already been said in the House, and from what one hears in the lobbies, that the scheme outlined by the Minister for Lands in his new lands settlement policy will receive almost unanimous support. There is to be no repetition of the outcry which has hitherto characterised any suggestions emanating from the Hon. Mr. McNab. On the contrary, the Opposition members have promised to support the measure when it comes down, and have actually attempted to take credit for having originated the idea embodied in the scheme.

If earned into law, the proposals will necessitate very considerv able extensions to the Advances ; to Settlers Office.