POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15668, 23 July 1914, Page 9

POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

MA. RUSSELL'S INQUIRIES-

NOT A GOVERNMENT MATTER

RIDICULE IN THE HOUSE.

[BY TELEGRAM.— SPECIAL correspondent.]

Wellington, Wednesday. Tub member for Avon, Mr. G. W. Russell, moved in the House to-day for the production of all papers relating to the sale to the Dominion Cement Company of all buildings owned by the Government at Doubtless Bay and formerly used as a cable station, and in particular the value to the Department of the buildings, tho original cost, tho price paid for them by tho purchasers, and tho names of the chairman and directors of tho aforesaid company. The Postmaster-General, the Hon, - R. H. Rhodes, said that the Government had absolutely no interest in tho matter. The buildings in question had belonged to tho Pacific Cable Board. He understood that they had been sold by tho board to the Dominion Cement Company, but tho board still held the land.

Mr. Russell : Was not the property offered to the Government?

Mr. Rhodes: It was offered to the Public Health Department as a sanatorium for consumptives, but it was not reported upon as suitable for that purpose. Tho Prime Minister suggested that in view of the statement by his colleague Mr. Russell should withdraw his motion. It would be futile for the Houße to agree to such a motion. The Government had nothing to do with the transaction, and it would he as fair and proper fo» a member to ask for the papers relating to a transaction between two private individuals as it was to ask for what was set forth in the motion. "The member for Avon," Mr. Massey added, amidst laughter, thought that he had discovered another scandal, bill instead of that he has only discovered another 'mare's nest.'"

Mr. Reed (Bay of Islands) said that as chairman of directors of the Dominion Cement Company he would be very pleased to give Mr. Russell all the information that ho required either privately or on the floor of the House. (Hear, bear.) Mr. Russell did not take tire Prime Minister's advice to withdraw the motion. It was accordingly put and lost on tho voices, amidst considerable laughter. ■ ,»

NATIVE LAND SETTLEMENT. A statement showing the money paid into and out of the Native Land Settlement Account during the last financial year was presented to Parliament to-day. The amount received from survey liens was £29,180, from rents £32,861, from land 1 sales £19,481. The amount expended in tho 1 purchaso of native lands was £217.502, and in surveys of native lands £58,465. The total receipts were £489,325, and the total expenditure £374,862.

MAORIS AND WAIHEKE ISLAND.

Twenty-two natives who are members of the Ngatipara tribe, and who cliira to be tho beneficial owners of Waiheke Island, are petitioning Parliament through the Hon. F. W. Lang (Manukau) in respect to 'a grievance. They state that in 1865 a portion of the island known as To Huruhi No. 1, and containing about three hundred and fifty-four acres, was made inalienablo, but that in 1911 the land was sold by the parents of the petitioners. It is stated that the vendors had no other land for their maintenance, and it is contended that the Native 'Land Board had no right to give a confirmation of tho transfer.

It is asked that in future no alienation shall bo .confirmed unless tho Maori Land Board, or the Court is first satisfied on the following points:(a) That the instrument of alienation has been duly executed in the manner required by the Act; (b) that the alienation is not contrary to equity or good faith or to tho interests of the natives alienating; (c) that no native will by reason of the alienation become landless within the meaning of the Act. IRON MANUFACTURE. Replying In tho House to-day to a question in reference to tho manufacture of Iron Mid steel In New Zealand, tho Prime Minister stated that a proposal to offer a bonus was under consideration during the recess and in connection therewith it is proposed to sock legislative authority during the present session. The terms offered by the Ethclbnrger syndicate were not considered to be reasonable and they had accordingly been declined. CLEANSING RAILWAY CARS. The Minister for Railways, the Hon. W. H. Herrics, stated ir. reply to a question that railway carriages are regularly cleaned and scrubbed with disinfectants. Whenever a person suffering from a contagious disease travels in any particular car especial care is taken in the matter of cleaning and disinfecting such carriage and it is not allowed to go into service again until it has bec-n thoroughly disinfected in accordance with tho requirements of the Health Department. RESOURCES OF THE NORTH. The Minister for Mines, the Hon. W. Frnser, was asked to-day by Mr. F. Mander j fiMareden) whether he would at an early da send the Government geologist to the North of Aucklnnd to report on tho resources of •ho Northern peninsula from a mineral point of view. Mr. Fraeor stated that tho programme for the ensuing year of tho director of the geological survey had been approved hut it had not been found possible to provide for any detailed work on the North Auckland peninsula. If, however, a visit from a geologist for a week or ten days would suffice it could bo arranged. LEVEL RAILWAY CROSSINGS. ' Tho member for Waikato, Mr. J. A. Young, asked the Minister for Railways this afternoon whether' he would give instructions to have the railway crossing in Lal-e Road in the borough of Frankton equipped with the new automatic crossing alarm which had been approved by the Railway Department. Mr. Herries replied that this crossing was on the list of those to be equipped with the new alarm and that ib would be equipped in its turn with tho other busy crossings. THE NEW HEBRIDES. Notice has been given by Mr. A. M. Myers (Auckland East) to ask the Prime Minister whether the Foreign Office of His Majesty's Government has communicated to the New Zealand Government the result of the deliberations of the AngloFrench Conference, which was held to discuss tho working of the condominium in the New Hebrides, with a view to devising means to remedy the existing defects, and, if so, whether tho New Zealand Government are in a position to mike public the conclusions' arrived at by this conference. ALLEGED ILLEGAL RACING. The Minister for Justice was asked today by Mr. V. H. Reed.(Bay of Islands) whether he would refund the costs incurred by the defendants in the case of Police v. Brookor and others, for conducting alleged illegal racing at Whananaki, which case was dismissed. Mr. Reed pointed out that the Whananaki Athletic Sports Club, at its last annual sports picnic, included one event on the programme for horses, wherein the. horses were to walk half a mile, trot half a mile, and complete the remaining half-mile on the course at any pace the riders thought fit. The result was that the members were prosscuted in the Whangarei Police Court for a breach of the Race Meetings Act. Mr. Herdman replied that the matter had been referred to the Commissioner of

Police for his consideration and report. / Mr. Reed said that he thought, in view of the absurdity of the prosecution, that the Minister should refund to the defendants the amount of costs that they had incurred in defending the case.' WORKERS' HOMES. Tho Minister for Labour was asked by Mr. R. F. Bollard (Raglan) to-day whether he would instruct his Department to purchase land at Mercer for the purpose of erecting workers' homes. Mr. Massey replied that when at least six applications wero -received from workers in that locality, the Department would bo prepared to consider the matter. It should be mentioned, however, that as a large expenditure had already been author isod this year involving about £100.000 for the erection of some 200 workers' dwellings, it might not be possible to proceed with the erection of workers' dwellings at Mercer for some months.

WAGES OF ENGINEDRIVERS. A question was asked in Parliament today by Mr. J. H. Bradney (Auckland West), whether the Minister for Railways would consider the advisability of increasing the wages of the locomotive drivers on the New Zealand Railways, and place them on tho same footing as the men occupying similar positions in Australia. Mr. Hemes, in his reply, stated the locomotive enginodrivers had a petition before tho House, and that until the committee brought down its report it would be inadvisable to discuss -the question of wages paid to any section of railwaymen. SETTLERS AND ROADING. The member for Taumarunui, Mr. C. K. Wilson, to-day asked the Minister for lands whether he would make provision in the Land Act so that settlers on en» dowment lands could get 6peci.il provision mado for roading as they could not como inder the special roading provision in tho Land Act, 1913. Mr. Massey stated that endowments were set apart for specific purposes and the revenues could not, therefore, bo 'diverted to the respective endowment accounts for stated purposes, such as education. Such revenues could not, therefore, be directed for tho purpose of road construction as suggested.

PENROSE RAILWAY BRIDGE. In reply to a question asked by Mr. Malcolm, on behalf of the Hon. F. W. Lang, to-day, the Hon. W. H. Berries stated that the erection of an overhead bridge at Penrose Junction had already been approved and that the work would be put in hand as soon as the material which is now on order arrived in tho country. \ AUCKLANDER'S PETITION. Mr. Isaac Hopkins, of Auckland, exGovernment apiarist, is petitioning the Parliament through the Hon. F. W. Lang (Manukau) for some consideration in recognition of the service that he has rendered to the beekeeping industry in New Zealand as a private individual, and as a Government official. He points out that after ho had occupied the position of Government apiarist for four years he was retired on account of being over age, although he was over age when he was appointed. Mr. Hopkins states that he is now suffering from a serious throat affection, which will necessitate a visit to a specialist in England.

SCHOOL OF MINES CERTIFICATES.

Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames) asked the Minister for Mines to-day whother he would "authorise tho Mines Department to issue certificates to those who pass the annual School of Mines examination in the first, second, and third class, so as to ensure uniformity. Mr.- Fraser replied that a circular was issued lately to all schools of mines, pointing out the anomaly that existed in regard to the issue of certificates, and suggesting the adoption of a uniform standard. So far replies had been received from only two schools—namely, Waihi and Karangahake. Reminders had been sent to the other schools, and when their views had been ascertained a definite decision could bo arrived at. ISLAND CARGO TRADE. Notice has been given by Mr. A. E. Glover (Auckland Central) to ask the Government what has been done to ensure the carrying of cargo from Rarotonga to San Francisco, and from Rarotonga to Auckland by the mail uteamers, instead of leaving it optional with the Union Steam Ship Company as to whether or when it should take cargo. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr. H. Poland (Ohinemuri) intends to ask the Prime Minister whether he will acquire tho tramway belonging to the Kauri Timber Company at Waitawhetu, near Waikinb, so that when no longer required by the company, it may be available for the working of the Crown timber in that district. The Minister for Railways has informed Mr. G. Coates (Kaipara) that the business at present at Makarau station is not sufficient to justify the erection of a goods shed. Mr. V. H. Reed (Bay of Islands) has been informed that plans have been prepared for the erection of the Hikurangi Post Office building, and that tenders will be invited shortly. The Postmaster-General has informed Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) that instructions wero given on July 9 for the establishment of a-daily delivery of letters at Bavswater. — , the Minister for Marino has informed Mr. F. Mander (Marsden) that the Government will await the report of _ Professor Prince before coming to a decision in regard to the question of removing the restriction on ' mullet-fishing in the Wbangarei Harbour.