SESSIONAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10836, 20 August 1898, Page 5

SESSIONAL NOTES.

[BY AS ONLOOKER.]

Wellington, Friday night. It was somewhat amusing this afternoon to listen to Sir. E. G. Allen defending the Government's policy of spoils to the victors in connection with the Civil Service, by quoting a sentence of Lord Salisbury's, which was in accord, he said, with the Minister for Lands, in excusing the appointment of a relative, "that it was believed the relative would make a good public officer, hence his appointment." The humour of this situation is that 'a professing Liberal, like the Minister for Lands, should have his Liberal follower falling back upon that Tory of Tories for an excuse for the action of the Hon. John McKenzie, who has railed so leudly and so long about the misdeeds of Toryism, According to the member for Waikouaiti, the Minister for Lands is now no belter than a high old Tory."

A really interesting and instructive speech was made by Mr. Bollard this afternoon on, the Financial Statement. His remarks regarding the land administration of the Government were especially valuable, as on this subject he could speak with the authority which his long experience has given him, Mr. Bollard also spoke very plainly about the North Island Main Trunk railway, especially when he told the Auckland members who supported the Government that if they were in earnest and determined, the work would soon be completed. There were enough of them, he said, to turn the Governmen out if they would not push the work on vigorously, and rather than relinquish office, the Premier would soon come to terms. There is certainly much truth in Mr. Bollard's words. Anyone who has closely watched the proceedings of Parliament knows very well that the Premier would not dare to treat the Canterbury members with the same disregard as that shown to the representatives of Auckland, When the Canterbury representatives are agitating for some urgent and necessary work Mr. Scddon would not dream of practically laughing in their faces, and telling them that it would be done in " the sweet by-and-by." Yet, that is what he said the other day in answer to a question as to when the Main Trunk line would be finished.

Even Mr. Larnach admits that it is quite time the North Island Main Trunk railway was finished, but he thinks the work can only be done by borrowing. The present, he says, is the time to borrow, as the money can now bo obtained at 3 poi cent., while they had to pay doublo that three years ago. Under these circumstances the Government have no excuse for not going on with the uncompleted railways. New Zealand is, he says, in a position to go on the London market for sufficient money to enable the Government to extend the railways, so as to keep pace with the growth of settlement, and the increase of population.

Another proof that the Premier's proposed native land legislation pleases nobody but himself, was fortcoming to-night when Mr. Field, one of his own party, told him plainly that he objected to the Bill altogether. Mr. Field's views on this question ore of considerable value, as he is well acquainted with the natives and their ways. He states that the gfeat bulk of the Maori lands are held by a few families, and while the natives themselves are a decreasing quantity, in the course of time these lands will get into the J hands of a very few Maori landlords. This, I Mr. Field contends, is not desirable. The proposed legislation would be bad for tho present generation of natives, as nearly all tho revenue would for some time,, be absorbed in expenses, but the next generation may be benefited. The Government should buy the land from the Maoris at a fair value, and set apart some of the purchase money to keep them from destitution. Mr. Hunter also thinks that the time has not come when tho purchase of native land for purposes of settlement should cease. Where the natives are willing to sell, and the land is held in unprofitable occupation, the State should, he thinks, buy at a reasonable price. The Southern natives, too, are, it appears, dissatisfied with the Premier's proposals, and have forwarded a petition praying that the suggested legislation may not apply to the South Island natives, as they are quite able to manage their own lands.

Minister of late have been in the habit of supplying some of their more servile followers with reams of figures to be used in their speeches, and these aTe often read out in parrot-like style by speakers who apparently have but little comprehension of their import. Not only does this happen, but long tables of figures, that have never beer, used at all, in some mysterious and unaccountable manner, occasionally find their way into Hansard. This practice was thoroughly exposed by Mr. Fraser in his speech to-night. He said there was one thing the Opposition could not do that the Government could do. It was not so easy for them to get into Hansard tables that were never read. Cries of " Oh," and " Who does that?" Mr. Tanner "See the last number of Hansard." Mr. Fraser: "I refer to the last number of Hansard. There are pages of figures there that I am suro nine-tenths of the members will bear me out in saying they were never road in this House." Mr. Tanner : "It ought not to bo allowed to anybody." (Cries of "Hear, hear.") Mr. Fraser: "I quite agree with the lion, gentleman. It certainly ought no? to be allowed."

A special meeting of the members of the Auckland Sunday Sohool Union was hold last evening at the Y.M.O.A. Rooms. There was a good attendance, Mr. G. Winstone, vice-president, presided. Tlio business of tho meeting was to considor 'a motion of whioh notice was given by Mr. W. H. Lyon, viz., "That the Auckland Sunday School Union becomo incorporated under the Unclassified Societies' Registration Act, 1895, by the style and title of 'The Auckland Sunday School Union,'" A general discussion ensued, and tho rules submitted wore revised and adopted, The principal one was a clause in reference to the management of the trading operations of tho Sunday Sohool Union depot, and which, as amended, was passed as follows:— "That the depot of the union, and its operations shall bo controlled by a Board of five directors, who shall sit in consultation with the depot secretary, treasurer, and depot manager, but such directors shall have the sole voting power in suoh meetings. Tho directors must be men filling responsible positions in active commercial life, and members of the union. They shall be elected at the annual general meeting of the union, to be held in 1898, and thereafter one shall annually retire, ana his place shall be filled by election at tlio annual meeting of tho union. Tho rota of retirement snail be* fixed by lot, and any retiring momber shall bo eligible for re-election. A director becoming insolvent, compromising wi(h his creditors, being dismissed from membership of his ohuroh or Bchool,_ or failing to attend three consecutive meetings of the Board without having obtained leave of absence, shall cease to be a member of the Board. Vacancies in the Board occurring by the death or resignation of a momber, or in any of the above ways, that is, otherwise than by retirement in rota, shall be filled at an eloction, in' whioh tho remaining directors, the depot secretary, and the treasurer shall bo the electors. The director so elected as last mentioned shall hold office till the next annual meeting, when, if his appointment is confirmed, he shall take the place in the rota of retirement of the director he replaces. Tho depot secretary,~ treasurer, and dopot manager shall not be eligible for the office of director under,this rule. Three directors present at any meeting of directors shall form a quorum." ... ■■'-,', ■ ~.•.' ■'■• . ■■: ' ■ A kinematograph and phonograph entertainment in aid of the Tabernacle piano fund will be given on . Tuesday i evening in - the Tabernacle sohoolroqm. ■■' The views include Mr. Gladstone's funeral and pictures of the Spanish-American war. .. ; •.. •-. ■.' Full dress lengths in wool tweeds and fancy at 3s 6d, 4s 6d, and 5s 6d the dress, worth, three times the price.—D.S.C.' ■'■ *: ■-.:■:.,•, / I