POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1285, 15 October 1896, Page 34

POLITICAL NOTES.

The Premier says the Government will, as is their duty, have full enquiries made as to the medicinal qualities of native shrubs and herbs. An hon member got so excited last week in declaiming against a proposal to grant electoral rights to women that he sent his tall hat flying into the centre of the floor. “ For the past four years labour legislation has not had proper consideration by the Legislative Council, and it is time the labour members’ hands were strengthened,” thinks the Hon J. Bigg. The Minister of Justice informed Mr Collins last week that he was anxious to get through his Naval and Military Settlers’ and Volunteers’ Land Act Amendment Bill, so as to settle the old soldiers’ claims once and for all.

The Minister of Justice informed the

House last week that on the recommendation of the Public Petitions Committee, Messrs Mounsey and Austin, who were wrongly arrested at Rotorua, had been paid their actual expenses, but had not received any compensation. The Minister of Lands says the best thing the flaxmillers can do is to subscribe money for the purpose of sending someone Home to advertise their manufacture. The selection would then rest with them, because he was sure if he selected anyone for the purpose he would not be able to give satisfaction. The Ore Atomic reduction process of gold saving was mentioned to the Minister of Mines by Mr O’Regan last week. The Minister said enquiries would be made, but the department had no information as to whether there had been any practical test on a large scale. The Minister of Lands promised Mr Wilson last week that the Government would consider the question of reducing the charge for ! rate notices and rate receipts from Id to £d. He pointed out, however, that the change would entail a loss of revenue, and the question to consider was how that loss was to be made up. *‘ At the time of the maritime 1 strike the men in the Union Company were paid up to the day they left the ships, when months of wages owing could have been withheld. He had no great interest in the Union Company, but he was glad that he was the chairman of the Company, and therefore could refute statements made against it.” The Hon G. McLean in the Legislative Council. Olive Schreiner thus compares our Colony with the country in which she lives : “ While in New Zealand and other advanced colonies every legislative effort is being made to retain the land for the people, we are quietly allowing ourselves to bo stripped bare, and are confiding our possessions into the hands of the speculator and monopolist.” During the debate in the Legislative Council on the Wages Protection Bill last week, members were “ throwing stones ” at one another, as the Minister of Education put it. Captain Morris said ho was surprised at the turn the debate was taking, and he was beginning to think that they were getting like “another place.” At which remark members smiled. “If tho Hon G. McLean thought that to support the interest of tho Company in which he was personally interested, and to sit on a committee to deal with matiers affecting that Company, was the duty of a legislator, they are not mine,” as tho Hon W. C. Walker said during the discussion on the Wages Protection Bill last week. “ That gumdiggers should bo forced by j agreement to purchase their goods from one storekeeper and not allowed to trade with settlers was iniquitous. This stato of things in a civilised country should not bo tolerated.” To this opinion did Mr Kigg give utterance J when speaking on the clause In tnc Wage.', ' Protection Bill bringing gumdiggers u.i l.u* J the provisions of the Truck Act. ! Air ti. W. Russell has backed down. Twice

lie put on the orJer paper a question relating to his attempt to carry on the Old Age Pensions Bill in committee, and .yet, at tho first opportunity given by the Government of putti g it, he incontinently withdrew from the fight because, forsooth, “ lie did not want to be put in the position of having to move the adjournment of the House.” ’Twas ever tiius with your popularity-bun ing and withal

impertinent politician. I lie iVlini.-aer of Agriculture informed Mr Hogg Dot week that lie had prepared a Bill enabling tho State to advance money for the construction and equipment of dairy factories. Such a inuasuio, lie had reason to believe, would meet with a considcrableamount of opposition, and he was afraid there was no chaneo of it passing this session. If time allow r ed, however, he would give members an opportunity of discussing it. An addition of £1 to the present telephone subscribers’ fee was suggested last week by Mr G. YV. Russell, who said that would make the department pay expenses, instead of incurring a loss as at present. The Premier said when the fee was reduced it was anticipated that there would be a loss for a time, but that the increase of numbers of subscribers would ultimately recoup them. To increase the fee would lead to the loss of a certain number of subscribers, and he thought they had better leave things as at present for a while to see how they got along. The Hon Mr Bonar read a letter in tho Legislative Council last week from the employees of Messrs Thompson Bros, and Co. asking him to protest against the passing of the Wages Protection Bill. Tho letter, in stating objections to the Bill, said that the system of insuring employees had been in force amongst them for the past two years, and had giyen every satisfaction, and that it was their own desire to insure. They had not heard any complaints against the system. This letter, Mr Bonar stated, refuted the

statements made in the Council on the previous sitting day that workmen were forced to insure by employers. It is a somewhat notable fact that letters of the kind here quoted so opportunely make their appearance in the halls of legislature, in Courts and elsewhere, when questions in which employers are concerned are being discussed or adjudicated upon. The Hon G. McLean, in the Legislative Council yesterday week, proposed that the Council should insist on its amendments in the Shipping and Seamen’s Act Amendment Bill disagreed with by the House of Representatives, and moved that a committee, in which the hon gentleman’s name as mover appoared, should draw up reasons for insisting on their amendments. The Hon J. liigg objected to tho Hon G. McLean being on tho committee, as ho had an interest in a steamship company which would be affected by the Bill if it was passed. He suggested that the Hon W. D. Stewart’s name should bo substituted. Tho Hon Mr ate wart, however, declined. Mr Bigg then called for a division on the motion to strike out Mr Me Loan’s name, and was defeated by 23 to 1, lie being the only opposor. Mr G. \V. Knsseil last week asked the Premier a question as to making enquiries into a euro i«>r cancer, which he understood Mr Hullett, of Linwood, had obtained at Honolulu. Several people, ho said, had told bin: they h id b :en cured by this means, and he urged hh it enquiries should be made by some P'M'sou outside tho ranks of the medical proiossion. I'lie Premier professed himself verv sceptical, hut ho admitted that if Mr Hullett had me !•: this discovery he was a benefactor to humanity. He had no knowledge of the matter, ami if Mr Hullett wished to approach the Government he should send them full information, which would thou be sent on to their medical officer Rep yiiur t> a remark by Mr I anner, the Premier said if Mr Hullett had petitioned the House as was stated, and that petition hid been favourably rep •!■!,•■ i on, the recommendation would conic up for consideration in the usual way. Consistency, when endeavouring to traduce , an opponent, has never been a virtue of Conservative journalism. It was, therefore, in no way surprising that our evening contemporary should swallow at one gulp one of the best articles that ever appeared in its columns. In that article it told Captain Russell and his followers that the party which aimed not at land settlement and the opening up of tho Colony with roads and bridges would not be tolerated by tho people. Last week it gulped down its former article and asked if anyone looked for any direct return from the extravagant expenditure of <£176,000 by tho Government on roads and bridges ! Our evening contemporary may rest assured that the expenditure of twice <£476,000 would be a good thing for New Zealand and, what is more, will be keenly appreciated by those dwellers on the lands who now have no roads through tho country in which they are literally carving out homes for themselves. The Dunedin Workers’ Political Committee decided to i-equest the city and suburban members to urge the Government to place a further sum, in addition to the .£30,000 voted, on the Supplementary Estimates, for the Otago Central Railway, and also to make provision for a new railway station at Dunedin. A resolution was also carried resenting the action of the Legislative Council in throwing out the { Eight Hours and Liquor Bills.

A novel suggestion has been made by Mr Flatman, who is asking the Government if they will at once take into consideration the advisability of introducing legislation which will enable the Government to issue one million state notes, value .£1 each, and to have currency within the Colony, thereby obviating the necessity of going to London to raise the million loan recently granted for the purpose of aiding public works P Mr Flatman is evidently enamoured of the “printing press and bale of paper ” theory. With regard to the request of some potitiouers from the South, who asked the House to bring before the Home authorities the hardships of tho Armenians, the Petitions Committee report that, as it is a matter where Imperial interests are at stake, they have no recommendation to make.

Mr A. D. Willis (says our Wanganui correspondent) had a splendid meeting at Aramoho. There were over 100 persons present, and groat enthusiasm was shown. It is now considered that Mr Willis’ chances of re-election are excellent. It is certain they are improving cvei-y day. i’he Joint Stock Committee has referred to the Government the petition praying that cowpox may bo removed from the scheduled list in the Stock Act, and that when cattle are destroyed on account of being infected with tuberculosis, compensation be paid to the ownor.

Mr Field the Petone Chronicle) ha 3 been actively engaged in “feeling” the southern part of tho Otalci district, in which, he is a stranger. He has a formidable opponent in Dr Newman, but the friends of the Government who supported Mr" Fraser at last election, who ran Mr Wilson close for the seat, are at work and jubilant. Mr R. P. Groviile, one of the Opposition candidates for tho Mastertou seat (says our correspondent), delivered another address in the Temperance Hall on Tuesday evening, and receive 1 a vote of thanks. A motion of no confidence was proposed, but the chairm ui declined to put it. —liow very ” n .tional” and fair, to be sure !

The Wairarapa Star says : —The million loan is lo be expended purely for tho development of the resources of the Colony, and foxno other purpose. In pursuing the course it has, the Government will maintain its reputation as the friend of true settlement and the friend of the people, and will at once dispel the Conservative notion that it was desirous of raising this loan for cateh-vote purposes. Mr Joyce is asking the Colonial Secretary if the Government will, during the recess, prepare a Bill to enlarge the scope of the New Zealand Cross Act Endowment Act, 1867, whereby deeds of heroism in the Colony in saving life may be honoured by some public symbol in the form of a decorative distinction emanating from the Governor in Council.

Thus the “ Bohemian,” in Christchurch Press:—Mr G. W. Russell has earned the reputation of being the most determined political acrobat in New Zealand, but he will find that Riccarton doesn’t want to be represented by a member who turns his coat as often as he winds his watch. He's got just about tho proverbial dog’s chance of seeing the inside of Parliament again. Liberal we know, axxd Conservative we know. Who is this ? In the name of the prophet—rats ! Our Mastertou correspondent wires us to tue effect that at a meeting of the Wairarapa North County Council yesterday a resolution

was, on the motion of Mr Cockburn Hood, passed and ordered to bo sent to other counties, protesting- against the seizure of sinking funds by the Government. The North Wairarapa County Council is evidently anxious to do a little electioneering in the cause of the National Conservative Association. Truly a cause that lacks assistance.

The Public Petitions Committee report they are of opinion that ex-Police-Sergeant Ready, of Wellington, who prayed for compensation for loss of office, has no claim against the Colony. Captain Russell on Friday presented to Parliament a petition from J. G. Le Brun praying for full enquiry to be made into untrue and unjustifiable charges made against petitioner in the House, and which he has no power to rebut in the Law Courts, as they were made under the privilege of the House. The petition of Sir Walter Buller, L. Davis, Major Kemp and Kipa Te Whatanui, was reported on by the Native Affairs Committee on Friday. The petitioners protested against the finding of the Horowhenua Royal Commission, and prayed that a further investigation should be held. The committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration.

A report was presented on Friday by the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of Adolph Schlesinger, of Christchurch, who asked for a refund of the fine inflicted upon him for selling goods on a half-holiday. The committee report that, as it appears a breach of the law was committed, they have no recommendation to make, but regrets that so many adjournments (of which the petitioner complained) took place before the matter was finally settled. At a meeting of the Prohibition Colonial Council’s Executive it was resolved that the executive protests against the attitude of the Legislative Council in relation to moral and social reform generally, and the Liquor Bill in particular, and maintains that some reform of that Chamber is urgently needed. Mr Thomas Ay son, Wyndham, will be a candidate fo’ - Clutha.

Mr John McKeague has been chosen to receive the support of the Ashburton Liberal Association.

The Cromwell correspondent of the Dunstan Times states that an effort is being made to induce Mr A. Lee Smith, of Dunedin, to contest the Wakatipu electorate at the coming general election, as a Government candidate. The Shops and Shop Assistants Act Amendment Bill, as finally agreed upon at' a conference of both Houses, provides that overtime may be worked 10 days per month and three hours per day, newspaper, tramway and shipping offices being exempted. The clause giving inspectors the right of entry has been abandoned, it being considered this power is given by the present Act. The clause dealing with carriers for Government railway contracts has also been abandoned, as it is considered the present law does not prevent delivery by railway contractors on the halfholiday. Mr Frank H. Smith, a young sheepfarmer, of Albury, announces himself a candidate for Timaru.

At the close ol Saturday’s sitting of the House the Premier said a very large number of members had requested him to ask the Speaker to have the report of the Banking Committee inserted in Hansard. It was read to the House, and there were cases where under such circumstances matters had been inserted in Hansard. He therefore made the request. Mr Speaker said if it was the wish of the House an order to thjit effect would be made. The Leader of the Opposition protested against the idea of anyone, even Mr Speaker, having a right to order what should or should not go into Hansard. He took it that the report having been read and laid on the table of the House it must go into Hansard. The Speaker suggested that the

matter be referred to the Reporting and Debates Committee. The Premier, however, moved that the report be inserted in Hansard, which was agreed to. In the Legislative Council on Saturday, the report of the conference with the House of Representatives on the Shipping and Seamen’s Act Amendment Bill was laid on the table and agreed to. The report was to the following effect: —The word “terminal” in the schedule was reinstated wherever it occurred, and the interpretation of the same word was also reinstated. In the schedule the statement that one additional engineer was to be carried by a vessel for every 1250 or part of 12.50 horse-power, was amended by the addition of a proviso that this should apply only to vessels engaged in foreign or intercolonial trade, and that in reference to vessels engaged in the sea-going Home trade only, this proposition should apply only to vessels over and above 2500 horse-power. The other amendments made by the Council were agreed to by the House of Representatives.

The report of the conference between the managers who were appointed by the House of Representatives to confer with the representatives of the Legislative Council with reference to its amendments in the Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill was brought up in the House on Saturday afternoon and agreed to on the motion of the Hon J. McKenzie. The clause previously insisted upon by the House of Representatives, that not more than two members of one family should apply for one allotment, was by agreement abandoned. The proposal in the Bill to allow the Government to work coal, lime and valuable stone deposits was disagreed with, but a provision was inserted to enable the Government to prepare the sites of such deposits to be disposed of by lease for the purposes of being worked, the amount expended in such preparation to be charged to the land for settlements account. The proposal to give the House power to take compulsorily part of an estate was also disagreed with. The proposal that the provisions of the Mining Act with regard to prospecting and mining should not apply to lands acquired under the Act was also disagreed with. The Dunedin Temperance Committee met last week, when nominations were received for candidates at the general election. Replies to questions sent by the committee were received from 21 probable candidates. The following are the nominations :—Dunedin City—F. M. Lester, W. Earnshaw, W. Hutchison, A. H. Burton, D. Thompson, A. C. Begg, J. F. Arnolt, H. E. Muir, J. Nagle, W. A. W. Wathen, J. A. Millar (subject to satisfactory reply to questions). For Caversham—Joseph Hutton and John Taverner. Waikouaiti —A. Thomson and George J. Clark. The final selection is to be made on the 24th instant.

The complete evidence of the Banking Committee, with report, exhibits, &c., was laid on the table of the House on Monday. The volume is one of the bulkiest which has ever been presented to Parliament, and the request of Mr R. Thompson that it should be read caused considerable merriment. “ There is no class of hawkers that should be taxed more heavily than the book fiend,” said an hon member on Monday, a sentiment that was greeted with more than one hearty “ hear, hear.” When another hon member moved to exempt hawkers of books from the operation of the Hawkers Bill the proposal was rejected without comment.

I he lion Mr Larnach has given notice to ask the Minister of Mines, whether, in the interests of bona fide mining in New Zealand, he will consider the advisability of establishing a mining intelligence bureau in Wellington, at which a register of all mines in active work should be kept, giving their history, locality, capital, pi*ospects and other necessaiy information that would be useful

for dissemination abroad in countries where mining investments are sought after ? The Premier stated on Monday afternoon that, though he had every desire to have the Banking Bill brought down, it was not yet ready, and the evidence taken at the Banking Committee would not be ready until later in the afternoon. That being the case, the House could not discuss the report that day, and he proposed, therefore, to discuss the Bill and the report together the following day. On Wednesday he hoped to get through those Bills which it was necessary to pass this session, and the Appropriation Bid would be brought down on Thursday. Replying to Dr Newman, the Premier said the Supplementary Estimates would be brought down on Wednesday.

Mr George Swan, solicitor, who is standing in the Opposition interest, is announced for the Avon electorate. [Mr Swan was president of the National Conservative Association, and is the nominee of that organisation.] The Executive Committee of the Liberal Electoral League met on Monday in Mr A. R. Hislop-’s office, Mr Haselden presiding. The question of the selection of Parliamentary candidates was considered at length, and it was decided to recommend the division of the city into wards, with sub-committees for each ward. A report on the subject is to be submitted at the next meeting of the Executive Committee. THE ROSS PETITION. The Public Petitions Committee reported on Thursday on the petition of John Ross, of Otauto, Patea, and his wife, who prayed that they might be granted relief on account of certain alleged wrongs done them by Mr George Hutchison, M H.R. During the hear-

ing of the petition, says the report, it was stated that great cruelty had been shown to the petitioners’ family by persons acting on Mr Hutchison’s behalf, but the evidence showed that that gentleman used every endeavour to minimise the effects of the proceedings necessary to recover possession of his own property. The evidence failed completely to establish that the estate had been mismanaged by Mr Hutchison, or that the petitioners had been defrauded of their just rights, or that no accounts had been rendered to them. ' The committee accordingly has no recommendation to make. THE BETRAYAL OP THE WORKERS. The summary method in which the Legislative Council “ revises ” a measure sent up to it from the Lower House is shown by its method of treating the Wages Protection Bill. It has industriously struck out every clause of this measure as far as it has gone with it except the short title and a couple of clauses, amounting in all to about 13 lines. One of these two clauses amends the Truck Act and the other gravely informs the reader that nothing in this Act shall apply to co-operative workmen. As there is practically nothing else in the Act, the cooperative workman remains pretty well where he was originally. The work of carving out threatened to go on yesterday until the last line of the Bill had been reached, and the Minister of Education agreed to the reporting of progress, remarking, in reply to some reference to the short title, that “ It was now a short Bill with a long title.” It is quite hopeless to expect reforms from a Chamber which represents vested interests to the exclusion of every other principle, and it is certain that the people as a whole realise this apparent truth. MINING ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The following amendments, besides those already mentioned in these columns, have been made in this Bill: —Clause 18a, specifying the lands not to be resumed, was added to by the following new sub-clauses :—“ Land which is being mined for gold or silver by the owner or occupier thereof, or some person duly authorised by him, in claims that in no case exceed the maximum area prescribed by the principal Act for a special claim, provided that in every case the mining operations shall be conducted subject to the principal Act and the regulations thereunder in like manner mutatis mutandis as if the claim were granted by the Warden on Crown land ; any land which is being prospected for gold or silver in manner hereinafter provided in subsection 3a of section 9 hereof.” The following new clause was also added on the motion of the Minister:—“ Notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, the following special provisions shall apply in the case of all lands whatsoever in the Colony other than Crown lands: —1. The owner, or occupier, or any person with his written consent, may apply to the Warden for any description of claim authorised by the principal Act in the case of Crown lando in a mining district and the Warden may grant the same. 2. Kvery claim so granted by the Warden shall be deemed to be subject to the principal Act and the regulations thereunder; and subject also to any agreement made between the grantee and the owner or occupier insofar as such agreement is not inconsistent with such Act and regulations. 3. So long as such grant continues in force the land comprised therein shall not be resumed for mining purposos, nor shall any prospecting licenses be granted in respect thereof. 4 The expression ‘Warden ’ in this section means the Warden of the district wherein the land is situate, or if the land is not situate within a mining district, the W r arden of any neighbouring district.” The Bill was put through final stages. Woodville, October 8. Mr W. W. McCardle addressed the electors here last night, declaring himself a strong Government supporter. A vote of thanks was given to him. Dunedin, October 8. The Bootmakers’ Union, in the final ballot, selected Messrs Pinkerton, Millar and Hutchison as the candidates for the city, and Mr A. Morrison for Caversham.