POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14221, 18 November 1909, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

[BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY. Information in regard to the revenue and expenditure in connection with the working of the Main Trunk railway was recently asked for by Mr. Stullwortby, but it has not been supplied. The Minister states: " The preparation of the return asked for would have involved very considerable labour, and entailed on the railway staff the working of extra hours, as it would have been necessary to, scrutinise the whole of the daily bookings at the different stations by each train to ascertain the number of tickets issued. In addition' to the labour involved in connection with the cardboard tickets, the scrutinising of the tens of thousands of other tickets, including excursion, bieycle, and other forms of tickets in use, would impose a task of such great magnitude as to require the employment of special clerks for the purpose. The expenditure involved in preparing the return would be very considerable, and I regret that on that account the information cannot be given." TOBACCO CULTURE. In replying to Mr. Lawry's question regarding tobacco culture to-day, the Minister for Agriculture said: "Tobacco was grown successfully, as far as weight of crop is concerned, many years ago in Auckland, and within the last three years good crops were produced at the Waerenga experimental farm. In the opinion of those engaged in the tobacco manufacturing industiy, the quality of the leaf was suitable for plug tobacco. A higher grade of leaf was experimentally grown under frames of light cloth (Hessian or scrim). There appears, however, to be a disinclination on the part of farmers to follow the tobacco industry, preferring to devote their lands to other purposes, yielding a greater certainty of profit. The Government is advised that much labour is required in attending, to the cultivation of the tobacco plant, gathering and curing the leaf, and it is therefore considered doubtful if tobacco can be grown with profit." V..'" ; ' '■■:-•:

ALLEGED "RAGGING." "No complaint respecting ' ragging' in the Auckland or other engine sheds has recently come before me," stated the Minister for Railways to-day, in replying to Mr. Glover's inquiry on the subject. The Minister added: '"' The trouble experienced in this direction in the past led to stringent measures being adopted for its suppression. Anv case of ragging brought under notice will be rigorously dealt with, in accordance with the regulations made under the Government Railways Classification Act."

. THE MAIL SERVICES. The Prime Minister is being asked by Mr. Poole whether, in view of the present mail service agreement, Wellington to Tahiti, terminating at an early date, the Government intend to renew it, or as an alternative arrange for a steamer to meet the Vancouver mails at and return to Auckland. . , .c* ;; ; ; '

TEDERS FOR OIL.

Mr. Massey wishes the Minister for Railways to * state J whether it "is a fact that in connection with the tenders for lubricating oils the specifications are so arranged as to make it impossible for any other firm or -company than the Standard Oil Company to comply wiili the "conditions, and, 7 lf so, will he ,have the specifications altered, so that British firms or their agents in New Zealand may be able to compete?

; ; WORKERS' DWELLINGS. Mr. Glover has given notice to ask the Prime Minister whether he will, at the earliest opportunity this session, enable the question of Workers' homes to be fully discussed, and whether he will during the recess cause inquiries to.be made for the most suitable sites for the erection of workmen's homes, within easy reach of the city of Auckland.

VARIOUS QUESTIONS. Mr. Jennings has been informed that a grant of £150 has been made for barking the remaining willow trees in the Maungakawa Stream, near Hangatiki. The Native Minister stated, in reply to Mr. Herries to-day, that the question of filling vacancies in the Native Land Court and Appellate Court will be considered when the proposed new legislation has been decided upon. The Minister for Railways stated, in answer to Mr. Stallworthy, that he could not consent to the issue of family railway tickets at specially reduced rates. The Minister for Public Works, in replying to a • question from Mr. Mander, stated that it is not expected that any material alteration will be necessary in the means provided for lowering the lifting span of the Whangarei railway bridge. Mr. Poole was informed that the accom-modation-house at Waitomo will be ready for visitors almost immediately.

PETITIONS TO PARLIAMENT. In a petition presented by Mr. Poland today George Dean, of Paeroa, asked for the sum of £500 as compensation for loss sustained through a fire in November last, which, he says, was caused by sparks from a railway engine and which destroyed flax to the value mentioned. Mr. M. G. Power, of Waihi, asks for compensation in respect of the loss of a building by fire at Paeroa. The building, he says, cost nearly £2000. The building was erected on a leasehold site. The Government promised to grant him the freehold, but the fulfilment of this promise was so long delayed that he decided to remove the building. The building being empty awaiting removal he was unable to effect any insurance and hence the loss sustained. W. J. Wigmore, of Rarotonga, and A. R. Wigmore, of Auckland, ask through Mr. 1 Glover for compensation for an overpayment of duty in the estate of their late father, caused by the Government making an alleged excessive estimate of some land and timber at Waitakerei.