PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12055, 27 August 1902, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL • CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Tuesday. EXPENDITURE NORTH AND SOUTH. A comparative return of expenditure in the North and South Islands, called for by Mr. Jackson Palmer; shows that up to March 31. 1901. the total expenditure on roads and bridges was £3,432,086 in the North, and £2.168,778 in the South; on railways, £7,636,629 in the North, and £9..531.397 in the South. The land acquired under the Land for Settlement Act was 89,602 acres, valued at £426,888, in the North, and 282,542 acres, valued at £1,356,599, in the South. Mr. Palmer also asked for the total amount received by the Government for lands disposed of after, purchase, but the ' Department were unable to state this, as separate accounts were not kept distinguishing the native lands from which revenue has been derived. DURATION OF THE SESSION.

"Has the hon. member been sitting here with his eyes shut Cannot he see that the business of the session is nearly through?". was the query of Mr. George Fisher, as lie looked across the Chamber with surprised air at Mr. Ell, who, when, the Acting-Premier proposed to take Wednesday for Government business, remarked that there were still two months and more to go before the length of an ordinary session was reached. 'Mr. Fisher went on to ask what remained to be done. " The 55 Bills on the Order Paper," suggested Mr. Houston. "The 55 Bills on the Order Paper could "be disposed i of in one hour, such as they are," retorted the junior member for Wellington., Mr. Fisher argued that there was nothing to do after the Public Works Statement came down, except pass the Appropriation Bill. Mr. Allan : " How about the State Fire Insurance Bill?" " Oh, well, we know that is to be dropped," answered Mr. Fisher, and members smiled. Sir Joseph Ward. pro-, mised to look through the list: of private Bills, , and give members, an. opportunity of. proceeding with the necessary ones, y V ; ' IS IT SMALLPOX? "Who believes for a moment that there is a case of smallpox in the colony?" asked Mr. Monk this afternoon., "Many a one," replied Mr. '•: Flatman. - -;- "Some ; people would believe anything," retorted the member for Waitemata, but a number of people and doctors do not believe there has been a case."'; ' 1_ "."--" '-"■*■- • " ; PUBLIC SCHOOL CADETS. A report on -public; school cadets by. Major Loveday was laid on the table of the House this afternoon. The officer commanding recommends the encouragement of camps of instruction, which would be held at a time when volunteers would not be in camp. - The instructors should be men of the best kind procurable, and teachers; "who qualify themselves by examination might receive: recognition by the ; payment of ; a small annual grant. There are 92 corps in the colony, with a total of all ranks of 5712. Of these Auckland contributes 1299, Otago 907, Wellington 794, Hawke's Bay 489, and Wanganui 407. ; ; JOTTINGS.

Thos. M, Bryant, of Whangarei, is petitioning the House, through Mr. Thompson, for some recognition for having introduced the use of kahikatea in making butter boxes.' Mr. Witheford to-day, presented : a petition from T. Harle Giles and others, asking that , the pupils attending denominational and private secondary schools ; be granted the same concessions regarding free railway passes as was about to be made to pupils attending Government secondary schools. The petition of John T. Faulkner, of Morrinsville, who asks for a compassionate allowance for injuries received while;in the railway . service, has been referred to .the Government by the Public Petitions Committee for 5 favourable consideration." -

. "I take the Minister's remarks as a compliment to our vigilance," said Mr, • Bollard in answer to the Minister for Lands, who, when the Stud Bill came up this afternoon, complained that the Auckland members "ran the Stock Committee," Mr. Hardy (Selwyn) admitted the Auckland members did rim that committee when the Orchard and Garden Pests Bill was before it, but, at the same time, he considered it was to their credit, because the measure was of so much. importance to that part of the island.

Mr., Witheford has given notice to move, " That this House expresses its heartfelt sympathy and regret at the death' of the. New Zealanders who fell during the South African war, and at: the subsequent death of the men of the South African contingents who have died since their - return to New Zealand} and that a copy of this resolution be r transmitted to the nearest '. relatives of each of the deceased." -

The Minister for Lands is to be asked by Mr. R. Thompson whether he will explain, why Crown lands in the provincial district of Otago and Wellington are now advertised for sale or selection under the optional system of the Land Act, while Crown lands in the provincial district of Auckland are advertised for selection or lease in perpetuity only?, ' '.■'■". '" '■■■■.■■•-:..'