PARLIAMENTARY NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11714, 25 July 1901, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS AND GOSSIP.

'',',■ i„, » i ''.-■' ■.-.- -i ■~.....'. [BY TELEGRAPH.— correspondent ] Wellington, Wednesday. UNLOCKING THE KING COUNTRY. The opening up of the King Country lands , was the subject of a deputation, comprising Messrs. Buckeridge and McCardie, of Ka- ! whia, and Messrs. Massey, Bollard, Hogg, and Lawry, which was introduced to the Minister for Lands to-day by Mr. Lang. In introducing the deputation, Mr. Lang pointed out that interest in the matter was not confined to the par* of the country mentioned, "but the Auckland province, and, in fact, the colony generally, were also interested. j He mentioned that it would not be necessary 1 for him to go further into the matter, as he and Mr. Buckeridge had interviewed the ! Minister a day or so before and explained the position. The Minister mentioned at this stage that he had given instructions to tho , chief surveyor in Auckland to put on as many surveyors as it was possible to employ. Mr. McCardie urged on the Minister the necessity of opening up native sis well as Crown lands. Mr. Bollard touched on land valuation, and suggested that the Department should have experts to value instead of leaving it to surveyors, who, I though good enough in their own department, were not always too conversant with the valuation of lands. Mr. Hogg (Masterton) explained his presence with the deputation by stating that many persons in his district were anxious to take • up land in the King Country. Mr. Massey supported the request of the deputation, and suggested some amendments in the new Land Bill now in course of preparation. Mr. Buckeridge stated that the native' lands, as regards purchase, should be brought within the scope of the Land for Settlement Act. The Minister assured the deputation of his intention, of pushing on the opening up of the Kinsr Country, and repeated his statement as to the employment of surveyors ou the work. . BUTCHERS AND THE SHOPS AND OFFICES BILL. The Shops and Offices Bill requires some amendment before it will suit the butchers here, and judging from the manner in which their efforts to have these amendments effected have been supported in the South, they are pretty generally voicing the requirements of the trade. " So far the Auckland butchers have not made any representations on the Bill, and the Southern tradesmen would be glad of their co-operation. I saw Mr. Garrett, president of the Master Butchers' Union, of Wellington, this afternoon, and he explained the attitude of the trade here. Their principal objection is in regard to the hours proposed under the Bill. The men are now working 56 hours a week, under an award of the Arbitration Court, which has yet about 15 or 16 months to run. The Bill says the hours shall be 52, but 56 was the number asked for by the men, and the masters find it as little as they can do with in their business. This clause refers only to assistants, but the butchers contend that men that do not employ labour could at-present keep open to any hour they liked, and claim that they should be brought under the same clause. With this end in view, it is suggested that occupier' should be inserted. The butchers also ask that the maximum hours worked in one day should be nine and a-half instead of nine. Exception is also taken to the clause requiring that no assistant shall work longer than four hours without an interval for refreshments. In asking that the time should be six hours, they are especially studying the needs of the country tradesmen whose assistants would sometimes, when delivering orders, have to stop for a meal in some out-of-the-way place, where there was no accommodation. With regard to hawkers, they ask that a man driving his own hawking cart should observe the same hours as shops. Mr. Frank Lawry is interesting himself in the matter, and assisting the butchers here. SURVEYING THE KAIPARA LINE. Mr. Monk in ascertaining from the Minister for Publio Works, if he would urge the rapid prosecution of the survey of the Kaipara railway route, pointed out that the survey had r, ot been completed much \ beyond the construction works. There were many settlers beyond who would like to make arrangements for their hoaiesteads, and in order to do that they would like to know definitely which way the line was going north of Kaipara Plats. He believed it was understood that there was some doubt as to the route after that point. The Hon. W. Jones said that when he was in Auckland he had given instructions for the survey to be put in hand. He agreed with Mr.Monk that it was desirable that the line should be surveyed as far as possible. The fact of the line not being surveyed would not affect the amount of the grant, and the Department had a sufficient length surveyed to carry them on. THE HOT LAKES. Mr. Witheford asked the Government this afternoon if they would take into consideration the question of further necessary improvement to the sanatorium at the Hot Lakes, and of acquiring all freehold rights to the hot springs in the Rotorua district. In doing so he said he desired to call attention to the matter, as the natives owned certain springs, to view which tourists had to pav fees. Sir J. G. Ward replied that the question was now tinder the consideration of the Government, who, however, did not at present propose to acquire all the native rights in the district. GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE .OPERATIONS. , The annual report of the Government Insurance Commissioner for the year ended December 31, 1900. just issued, shows that during the year 4263 proposals were received for the sum of £879,005, of which 321 proposals were declined or deferred. Of the remainder 3201, assuring £650,129, were completed. The annual premiums on these new policies amounted to £21*418, in addition to single premiums of £495. The number of annuities granted was 13, for the sum of £509 per annum. The number of policies existing at the close of the year was 40,368, securing, with bonus additions, the sum of £10,639,978 at death or maturity, and annuities either immediate or deferred of £27,222 per annum. . The income of the Department for the year was £286,731 from • premiums, and £136,955 from interest, making with other receipts a total of £423,700. Three hundred and seven policies, representing with ; bonus additions, the sum of £92,675, became claims during the year through the death of the persons insured, a less amount than has been paid for any of the previous three years. One hundred and ninety-six policies matured during the year, securing with bonus addition the sum of £53,543. The accumulated funds on December 31 last were £3,139.957, being an increase during the year of £142,276. The period of the tontine fund No. 1 expired on December 31, and the amount of £16,752 had been distributed amongst those policyholders whose policies were in force at that date, the addition to the sum assured being £33,500. During the time the fund was open 6237 policies, assuring £1,734,591, joined, of which 275 became claims by death, or about 4i per cent, of the number entering; 310 surrendered, and 2103 lapsed, leaving 3549 policies assuring £994,427, in force at the close of the period. STOCK RETURNS. The numbers of stock condemned and slaughtered under the Stock Act Amendment Act, 1898, were as follows : Horses, 1; cattle, 2960; swine, 634. The sum. of £4902 was paid in compensation. The total sum received in respect of the disposal of carcases was £907. An interim return shows the number of sheep in the col on v on April 30 last to be 20,186,784. This is a total increase for the year of 831.589. The increase is largely in the South Island, viz., 618,238. while the increase in the North Island is only 213,351. The biggest increase in the colony is in the CanterburyKaikoura- district, viz., 390,811. In Otago the increase is 196,056 ; in Auckland 7749. PLUMPING AT ELECTIONS. Mr. Ell to-day asked the Colonial Secretary if he will this session introduce legislation dealing with the practice of what is known as " plumping" at the election of members of the House of Representatives j for the electorates of Christchurch, Wellingj ton, Auckland, and Dunedin? Sir Joseph Ward replied that no doubt something should be done. At this there was a chorus of " Hear, hear's," and a demand from more

■1 than one honourable member to "divide the electorates." Sir Joseph said ",. the matter was one .that required very careful consideration. No doubt the question of plump-; ing could be met with by legislation, ana something should ; also be' done; to prevent 1 members representing minorities. (Hear, hear.) 1 The latter point could, perhaps, be settled by a second ballot. - ; HOMES FOR INCURABLES. 1 The question of homes for incurables in : the North and South Islands is being • carefully considered by the Health Department. Sir Joseph Ward states that so far , as statistics are available there appear to be 599 incurables in the colony, and of these ' 122 are consumptives. The chief medical officer, he said, seemed to favour the estab- • lishment of medical wards attached to hospitals. In cases where the incurables could not afford medical attendance he (Sir Joseph Ward) thought the State should afford assistance. He promised Mr. Ell that something would be done. ; SUGGESTED DISTRICT COURT FOR AUCKLAND. Mr. Napier, whose legal experience should warrant him in speaking, thinks District ' Courts, in their civil jurisdiction, should be re-established in Auckland. He asked the Minister for Justice this afternoon whether the Government would consider the desirability of such a. course. In doing so, he said going to law at the present time was only a luxury ' that the rich could afford. As a lawyer he would not advise a person not possessed of considerable means to go to the Supreme Court. - The ; re-establish-ment of the District Courts in Auckland ■would not necessarily mean' another appointment, as the Judge might also be made a Stipendiary Magistrate for hearing civil cases. With District Courts, cases could be initiated, sent before a jury (which .was a great advantage where questions of disputed facts were concerned), and completed to their final stages within 17 or 18 days, whereas in the Supreme Court many months sometimes elapsed before a case could be brought, on for trial. . District Courts would be a great advantage to country districts round Auckland. The Minister (Hon. J. McGowan), while appreciating Mr. Napier's argument, was hardly prepared to admit that what he asked for was an urgent necessity. A District Court was formerly in existence at Auckland, but was discontinued as the expenditure was t 'not warranted. However, he would have inquiries made, and see if a District Court could be re-established with advantage to the public and a due regard to economy in the administration of public money. THE FARMERS' UNION AND ITS FRIENDS. Some 5.5 members met in the "Ministers' committee-room last night at the invitation of Mr. Hall (Waipawa), to consider a rather peculiar point. The only member of the Opposition present was Mi. Hardy, who attended at the invitation of the chairman of the meeting (Mr. Meredith). It was explained to those preent that the meeting was called to take into consideration the advisability of going to Palmerston North next Saturday (when the Farmers' Union is to meet members and Ministers), and if so, what their course of action should be. Mr. Hornsby addressed the meeting, and while he was talking Mr. Hardy asked if the meeting had been called for political purposes, because if so, he felt that he was an intruder. The Chairman explained that Mr. , Hardy was present at his invitation. He also said that he had presided at the meeting held a few evenings before, when the Producers' Union was under discussion, and then the proceedings were carried on in a gentlemanly manner and nothing of a political nature was discussed. Mr. Hogg spoke warmly about the union, and Mr. Hardy claimed the protection of the chair. He said ho was desirous of going to Palmerston North and doing what he could to strengthen of the farmers. Several of those present signified their intention of attending Palmerston North, tout the meeting broke up without arriving at any definite conclusion. Although Mr. Hardy was the only Oppositionist present, Mr. J. W. Thomson was verbally invited by an Otago member, but when he asked if it were a party meeting a member identified with getting it up, who happened to be passing at the time, said, " There is no meeting." • MR. WITHEFORD'S MISSION. ' Mr. Witheford does not mean to let the: Government forget that there are thousands of acres ripe for settlement in the North. The Land for Settlement Bill was under discussion, and he suggested there should be an amendment to the following effect : — "That this Bill do not come into force until the whole of the Crown lands, native lands, and Assets Board lands, available for settlement, are surveyed, and brought under the conditions of settlement." If that were done there would be any amount of land for-the people. There was no necessity for the cry of earth hunger, because there was an abundance of land in the North waiting to be opened, up. . Although he was a consistent supporter of the Government, he did not approve of their policy in regard to these lands. If there was a lack of surveyors the hundreds of young men returning from South Africa could readily be trained for that purpose.'He thought it was only right that the young men of New Zealand should have an opportunity of taking up the virgin lands of the country, and carving out homes for themselves. PROTEST AGAINST LATE SITTINGS. Two of Mr. Seddon's most prominent supporters, Messrs. Graham and Meredith, broke out in open revolt to-night with a motion to report progress on the Land for Settlement Bill. Mr. Graham said the Premier, from a health-point of view, was not fit to go on with the Bill. He added that it was the Premier's, own fault that no progress was being made with the Bill. They had been sitting for five and a-quarter hours, and out of that the Premier had himself taken up two and a-half hours. The Premier, who was suffering from a sore throat, and spoke in a very husky voice, said he was quite prepared to go on with his Bill. The motion to report progress was lost by 35 votes to 22. Many of the Premier's following going into the lobby in opposition to him. JOTTINGS. In view of the frequent inquiries by the public for Bills coming before the House, Mr. Fowlds has arranged that as soon as they are circulated copies shall be forwarded to the free public libraries. In answer to Mr. Witheford, who asked the Government to give instructions that copies of all Bills be supplied to the public libraries of the colony for public information, the Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones said instructions had been given. Mr. Morrison presented a petition from the women and girls employed in the New Zealand Wax Vesta Company's Factory,' Dunedin, asking that the Bill prohibiting female labour in such an industry should not be passed. ' The inhabitants of the Awhitu road district arc petitioning Parliament, through Mr. Massey, for £100 to construct a boat jetty, £500 to open up the main trunk road between Awhitu and Waiuku, and £200 for a wharf near Orua Bay. " I have always found that those who were the greatest rips' when they were young, are the most virtuous when they are old." A new code of ethics propounded by the Hon. G. McLean. During the absence of Colonel Eraser through illhealth, the duties of Sergeant-at-Arms are being carried out by Major T. V. Shepherd. Mr. Massey thinks the great cry at the "hustings in 18 months' time will be "Freehold or leasehold." Mr. George Fisher was very wrath over the refusal of the Government Printer to issue reprints of members' Hansard speeches, and scathingly denounced such a tryannical act. "As long as this Government is in power, and they are likely to sit there for some time," said he. " we are to have our rights curtailed. They talk about Sii George O'Brien, and tyranny in Fiji (here the Speaker interposed)—when the Government takes up this attitude, it is time the House asserted itself." He finished up by saying: "If these acts are to be perpetrated, then the Government may look oub for a vendetta, because I will have revenge." The result 1 of questions being allowed on only one Government clay is that 110 queries accumulated on the Order Paper to-day. Air. Seddon, who is suffering from a very bad throat, was relieved from answering his batch, numbering 35, and a number of others also remain to be answered. Quite a number of bicycles are imported for the Post Office, and somo other Government Departments. Mr. Collins wants the Government to give preference to New Zea- ! land made machines,

Mr. Berries is moving for a copy of all laws in force 'in the Cook Island Group, other than :■ statutes of New Zealand or Great Britain to be laid on the table. Captain Russell will ask the Premier if be will appoint a Select Committee to sit with any 'similar committee which may be appointed by the Legislative Council, to inquire into the advisabl eness and probable cost of forming a national collection r< illustrating the history of the Maori race? . Mr. Field wants the Minister for Railways to abolish the railway freight on the carriage of' manure for the use of country settlers throughout the colony, and thus encourage the improvement of land. "Rude" was ruled by Mr. Guinness this evening, not to come within the category of unparliamentary language. The doubtful word was used by the Premier in'respect of a series of interruptions, to which lie was subjected, and it was challenged by Mr. Atkinson. The Hon. We Jennings, speaking in the Legislative Council on the Cemetery Trustees' Valuation Bill, stated that the Government should not yield up all its controlling powers over cemeteries. He knew of a case in the Auckland province where the controlling trustees had refused burial in the cemetery controlled by them, unless certain fences or monumental works were erected. -He protested against any conditions as . exclusive ,as these imposed at a place of burial. Mr. A. L. D. Eraser scandalised the House by referring to the Whips having to hunt up members from Bellamy's for a division, but when someone disclaimed the inference that members wasted their time in that mysterious refectory, the member for Napier- hastened to add, " Bellamy's is the place where members go for a cup of tea," and several hon. members coughed audibly. By-laws are being framed by tho Railway Department to regulate the weight of sacks of grain carried on the railways. Sir Joseph Ward hopes to have these published in about three weeks' time. Some members to-night stated that the aggregation of landed estates was still going on in New Zealand. The Premier threatened, if this was so, to increase the graduated land tax. Sir Joseph Ward says the Railway Department will not agree to increase the wages of railway men working in ballast pits to 8s per day of eight hours. There is no difficulty in getting men for this work at the rate now paid.. The Railway Department is looking into the question of charging uniform rates for annual season tickets in the North and South Islands., : . Mr. Justice Edwards is again petitioning Parliament for a sum of money for lasses sustained through his appointment as judge by the Government having been subsequently invalidated. In a voluminous petition he sets forth his claim, stating that he relinquished a practice worth £2250 a year to take up the position, and he estimates his loss at £8000.,; '.. ' During a warm discussion on the Land for Settlement Bill to-night, Mr. Laurenson remarked," There are three things that seem to set this House in blazes—religion, nun, and land."