POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15390, 27 August 1913, Page 10

POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

TH PUBLIC SERVICE.

DISMISSALS AND APPOINTMENTS.

[BY TELEGBAFH.— COBBXSPOXfiENT.] \] Wellington, Tuesday. The Eon. J. A. Millar has asked for a return showing the total number of dismissals made by the Public Service Commissioners, such return, to show in detail : (1) The total number of dismissals in' each Department separately; ■,:. (2) 'the salaries] paid to such officers; (3) whether such officers;>; were . temporarily; Or- permanently employed;, (4) the reasons for such dismissals (5) the total number of appointments made by the commissioners, each. Department to be shown separately ;. (6) the salaries (minimum and xupjfimum) paid,to suchofficers; (7) whether permanent appointments or not; and (8) tho j«asons for such appointment*. '

LOAN FOR RAILWAY STATIONS. - Mr. S. Craigie * (Tim&ru) / /is/ asking' the Government whether, in view of, the great urgency for new railway stations and extensive alterations to railway stations; such as required 'at Auckland, Wellington,/ ' Tiraaru, and other/; centres, they will-con-sider the advisability of submitting to Parliament this session a proposal for £ special loan for that purpose.

OLD AGE PENSIONS. A return giving an estimate of the cost of' providing every man and woman in the Dominion with :/a; pension off £26 a year on attaining the age of 66 years was presented to the Mouse to-day. The estimate is £1,271,400 per annum, being the amount that would be . pay-: able to 48,900 people;of the age of 65; and over. The return was ordered on, the motion of Mr. H. J. H. Okey (Taranaki).

LIBERAL BY-PLAY. In discussing a contentious j clause in the Public Trust Office Bill this evening, Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau) : stated: a; suppositious case. ■'■'■'" Suppose," he said, "that . I am entitled :to a legacy of £50, and /the; Public Trustee pays it in mistake to my friend the hon. member for Avon." "You'll never get it back," said ; Mr. Russell, amidst laughter. "What my legal remedyf' continued Mr. McCallum. ' ' - ' < ' " Nonf. You are done," said Mr. Russell, when the laughter was renewed. "

LAND DRAINAGE BILL. \ The Land Drainage Amendment Bill, which "' was circulated '/ to-day, / provides for an increase of the rating power* of boards up to six'farthings in the £, if a; petition has been presented to the board signed by at least three-fourths of the ratepayers re- n presenting not less than three-fourths of the ratable value /of,'all": the properties liable to be rated, requesting. that a. rate be levied. Rates arc to be levied on a graduated scale, according /to a classification made by an officer appointed by the board, but if ; the Minister for Internal Affairs is satisfied that all the ratable lands will, derive equal - benefit / he may authorise the board to levy the rate on a"; uniform scale. / Provision is ' made for : the alteration of a district so as to include other lands which will benefit from the operations of the board. ' ,

RIVER BOARD BILL. * The River Boards-Amendment Bill,.- introduced by the Hon. A. L. Herdman, proposes that rates shall be levied on a graduated scale, according to a classification made by the board, provided that if the Minister for Internal Affairs ;is satisfied that all the lands liable to be rated will derive practically equal benefit from the * expenditure he may authorise the board to levy such rate on a unforin scale. Power is given to the board to appoint persona to classify lands for rating purposes.