POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14209, 4 November 1909, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

DRAINAGE OF SWAMPS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] *- Wellington, Wednesday. Mr. Massey asked the Minister for Lands to-day whether he will direct his officers when' reporting on the proposed drainage of the Lower Waikato swamps to consider the possibility of connecting the Maramarua stream with the Waitakaruru, so that flood waters may find their way into the Hauraki Gulf. He received the following reply: — " In view of the fact that an important feature of the extensive drainage works now in course of prosecution on the Hauraki Plains is the use of the Waitakaruru River to carry off the flood waters of the Piako River by means of a canal connecting the two rivers, I cannot see my way to agree to any scheme which would tend to discharge additional flood waters into the Waitakaruru River, and the proposal indicated in tho question cannot therefore be entertained for one moment."

In reply to a question, put on the Order Paper last week by Mr. E. H. Taylor, the Minister stated that he was advised that as little spoil as possible was now allowed to get into the drains, and that he was afraid that the fishermen would have to put up with the slight inconvenience for a time in view of the national character of the drainage works.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. The Minister for Labour stated today in reply to Mr. McLaren that his attention had been drawn to the remark's of Mr. Kettle, S.M., in a recent case at Auckland for the enforcement of the hotel and restaurant employees' award, but that the matter was one for the Minister for Justice to deal with.

The Minister for Railways informed Mr. Greenslade that it is not practicable at present to erect a verandah at the Te Awamutu railway station. The Minister for Education stated in reply to Mr. Massey that the question of reerecting the Pukekohe school in brick is under consideration.

In reply to Mr. Hemes the Minister for Education says the question of a special grant for enlarging the Morrinsville school will receive favourable consideration.

SOUTH POLAR EXPLORATION. In regard to contributing to Captain Scott's South Polar expedition, the Prime Minister says: " A great deal depends upon the amount of funds contributed by supporters of the movement in England. It is yet too early !o consider what support the Government will give, if any.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. In replying to-day to Mr. Bollard, the Minister for Agriculture stated: " Wide dissatisfaction is expressed by agricultural representatives regarding the present methods of collecting agricultural statistics and the reliability of the- results is open to question. The Government, therefore, has under consideration the question of obtaining returns by another" process, which, it is believed, will save many thousands of pounds, and, in addition, it is expected will give more satisfactory results."

COLONIAL SUGAR COMPANY. Notice was given to-day by Mr. Hardy to ask the Government whether they intend to inquire into the operations of the Colonial Sugar Company, and .-whether they are aware of the following facts: —(1) That when the duty on sugar was removed in 1907 the company immediately lowered its price £5 per ton; (2) that retailers reduced the price by id per lb and are still giving the public the advantage of the concession; (3) that since then the price has been increased by the above company by £1 per ton only, while during the present year beet sugar has risen in Europe by £1 10s per ton: (4) that any sugar-producing country in the world is at liberty to consign sugar to New Zealand without duty.

KING COUNTRY LANDS. The Minister for Lands is being asked by Mr. Jennings whether he will, seeing the amount of land, Crown and otherwise, that is to be opened up for selection in the Taumarunui electorate, known as the Rohef)otae, consider the advisablcnees of estabishing a land board in the district named, so as to prevent the unnecessary expense to applicants for land, who have now to go to the Wellington, Taranaki, and Auckland Land Boards.

AUCKLAND DRAINAGE SCHEME. Some 4000 petitioners of Remuera, St. Heliers, Parnell, North Shore, etc., are petitioning Parliament, through Mr. Poole, praying that it will, in connection with the Auckland Drainage Scheme Act, take steps that will either ensure the depositing of the sewage off Puponga Point, Manukau, or extend the sewer in a north-easterly direction to a point 1000 ft from the end of the Orakei cattle wharf. In this same connection there has been lodged a further petition calling upon the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Marine, to take steps to prevent any contracts being accepted or further work being done towards the completion of the work for depositing the sewage in the Waitemata Harbour until further float tests have been carried out; and the Minister is, furthermore, asked to ensure that steps shall be taken to cause the sewage to be deposited off Puponga Point instead of in the Waitemata Harbour.

NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY. The Minister for Public Works has informed Mr. Stallworthy that the Government anticipate being in a position at an Nearly date to increase the number of men employed on the North Auckland railway. Mr. Mander lias given notice to move" for a return showing the "cost, length, and full particulars of the proposed deviations of the North Auckland Main Trunk railway from the points of divergence from the original line at the northern and southern ends, also the cost of the original route from the same points.

JOTTINGS. . The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to-day and immediately adjourned. In the House this afternoon the Tokomaru Freezing Works Site Bill (Mr. Macdonald) was read a third time and passed. Mr. Massey has been informed by the Minister lor Telegraphs that a telephone bureau wil.' he opened at Bombay. The public will be able to communicate with Auckland through Fukekohe and with all bureaux connected with the Pukekohe exchange. This evening Mr. Dive moved the second reading of the Mutual Accident Bill to enable mutual lire insurance associations to undertake insurance against accidents and certain other insurance risks. After some discussion the Bill was referred to a special committee.