POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14486, 28 September 1910, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES.

"COMMERCIAL STAGNATION." RESULT OF OUR LEGISLATION. [BY TELEGBAPH.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington*, Tuesday. "A best from legislation," was the burden of a prayer breathed in the House of Representatives to-day by Mr. A. L. Herdman (Wellington North). Mr. Herdrnan asked if it would not be better if the House confined itself to important Bills, say Defence and Land, and have those questions thoroughly threshed out. The country was tired of this legislation, which was to a large extent responsible for the commercial stagnation that existed. Hon. T. Mackenzie: Commercial stagnation ? Mr. Herdrnan: There is not the slightest doubt about it. Proceeding, Mr. Herdman said that people would not invest their capital in trades which were handicapped by legislation. The Hon. T. Mackenzie might jeer as much as he liked, but it did not alter the fact. Merchants, shareholders, etc., were absolutely tired of much of the legislation that was being passed. Mr. Russell (Avon): Are those remarks in order? Mr. Speaker: They may be incidentally mentioned, but cannot be pursued. Sir Joseph Ward : Hear, hear. Mr. Herdman: You don't like them. (Laughter). Continuing, Mr. Herdman said that the so-called Liberal party did not imagine that they were doing their duty unless they passed a fat Statute Book which only gave work to the lawyers. PRIVATE TELEPHONES The facilities for private telephones would be extended by a vote on the Estimates, Sir Joseph Ward assured the House to-night. AID FOR THE OIL INDUSTRY. The Government will submit certain proposals in reference to the oil industry to the House this session. " It is an important industry ai\d on proper lines we should help it," Sir Joseph Ward said tonight, " provider] it is not a question of helping syndication or speculators, which we are anxious to avoid." LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL. The Prime Minister to-day informed the House that the Local Government Bill, which has not yet been brought down, would consist of 400 clauses, and was very important. It had not yet received full consideration of Cabinet, but would receive every attention from Ministers with a view to getting it circulated this session. JOTTINGS. A petition signed by 220 persons in the Tauranga electorate Las been presented in favour of the pushing on of important Auckland railways. A number of settlers in the Matmuta country are petitioning Parliament through Mr. iierries, for the right of purchaso at the original value, plus one per cent, for each year they have rented the land.