POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15349, 9 July 1913, Page 11

POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

CONTINUATION OF DEBATE

QUESTION DAY TODAY.

[by TELEGRAPH. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington-, Tuesday. The debate on the Addrers-in-Renlv was continued in both Houses to-day. "Messrs. Beehan and Samuel were the speakers in, the Upper House. In the Lower Chamber the speakers were Messrs. Sykes, Myers, the Hon. A. L. Herdman, and Messrs. Atmore and Payne. The first speaker tomorrow will be Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata), and he will probably be followed by Mr. A. E. Glover (Auckland Central). As to-morrow is question dav, a considerable portion, if not the whole of the sitting, is likely to be taken up with the discussion on Ministerial replies, and the usual formal business. v NEW LYNN COLLISION. Notice has been given by Mr. A. M. -Myers (Auckland East), to ask the Minister for Railways (the Hon. W. H. Herries) whether, in view of the fact that the Government Railways Act of 1908 does not enable him to authorise a public inquiry into accidents such as that which occurred at New Lynn recently, he will at once take steps to obtain the necessary authority from Parliament by an amendment of the existing Act. " FAIRY TALES." The Prime Minister was given an opportunity, through a question bv Mr. Lee (Oamaru), of denying that the Government intended introducing alien labour to work in the gold mines. "The statement," said Mr. Masgey, " appears to be one of the fairy tales some of us have experienced during the past few months." PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. The Public Trust Commission's report, which is to be followed by legislation, was laid on the table of the House to-day. The Hon. A. L. Herdman was asked if he would attach the evidence taken by the comtmission, but he answered that' as it was given by the witnesses in confidence, he could not comply. The Public Trust Office accounts were also presented to-day. They show that it has charge of estates and funds aggregating £5,684,000. including £1,619.600 wills and trust estates, £2,300,600 local bodies' sinking funds, and nearly a million sterling of superannuation funds. The investments comprise £4,574,000 on mortgage, and £762,597 in stocks, bonds, and debentures. A net profit of £27.551 was made by the office during the year. "NEW LOANS FOR OLD." - " I want to say that the present Government came into office on a splendid financial wicket," said Mr. Myers this afternoon. There were, he said, only. £1.770.000 worth of loans falling due during the year 1913-14.

Tho Hon. James Allen Tell us about 1914-15.

Mr. Myers: About £8,000,000. Mr. Russell (to Mr. Allen): You won't be in office then.

MR. PAYNE AND THE GOVERNMENT

The member for Grey Lynn (Mr. J. Payne) had a passage at-arms with the Minister for Finance this evening. He declared that the present High Commissioner got the High Commissionership on condition that he would not make any appointments to the Upper House. The Hon. J. Allen (the Prime Minister Minister not being in the House) : That is absolutely incorrect. - Mr. Payne: It is absolutely true, and you know it. ■ \ Mr. Nosworthy:- Produce your ■■; authority. Mr. Payne: Set up a Parliamentary Committee, and prove that it is not correct. I will make a further assertion. It was made known that if the votes of five Liberals could be secured, they would be allotted portfolios. Do you deny that? he asked. Mr. Allen: Yes; Ido deny it. Mr. Payne : It is true-