PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4488, 16 October 1901, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

PICTORIAL PETITIONS. The illustrated petition has not “ come to stay.” In fact, it has had very brief lease of life; for yesterday it was ruled out by the Deputy-Speaker, and consequently all those members who have presented copies of the petition containing allegations of excessive drinking amongst the Maoris in the Taranaki district will ho required to hand them back to the petitioners, because of the picture—a woodcut in the centre of the printed matter. _ Yesterday Mr Pirani presented a petition with a square hole in the centre marking the place where the picture had been before it had been cut out. Mr Guinness like„ wise ruled this out, because it did not conform to the standing order prohibit, ing aii erasure in any such document. In answer to Mr Atkinson, Mr. Guinness stated that the petition would bo in order if this “erasure” were initialled by the petitioners. THE PATBA SEAT. The Premier’s motion for the issue of a new writ for the Patea seat has been postponed until Friday. He explained yesterday that there was no returning officer yet, and that when one is appointed it will be necessary for him to appoint twenty-six deputyjreturning officers. Moreover, the rolls are not jet ready. In answer to an inquiry • from the Opposition, “ Have you a candl. date?” Mr Seddon replied, that the election would be a straight fight between Mr John Heslop and Mr Haselden. As to the charge that the delay had been intentionally caused, Mr Sect, don said that it would be in the interests of the Government to have the elec., tion at once, as thus the _ Opposition would not have time to bring out another candidate in the Government terestTHE “ SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOu CENTS.” A Ministerial caucus was held yesterday morning. About forty members were present. The caucus was held for the purpose of considering the business yet on the order paper, and it was decided to slay thirty-three Bills for this session. Accordingly, when the House met in the afternoon the following Bills were struck off the order paper, and will therefore be proceeded with no further this session: Smoking by Youths Prohibition, New Zealand University Act Amendment, Young Persons’ Protection, Land and Live Stock Auction, Law Amendment, Discount Stamps. State Fire Insurance, Property Law Amendment, Fair Rent, Bating on Unimproved Act Amendment (Nos. 1 and 2), District Courts Act Amendment and Orchard and Garden Pests Bill. The following Bills of private members were also ’discharged from the order paper: —Cycle Boards (Mr Fowlds), Crown Grants Act Amendment (Mr Lawry), Limitation of Profits and Prevention of Rings rind Combines (Mr Hornsby), Juvenile Smoking Suppression (Mr Field), Im„

pounding Act Amendment, No. 1 (Major Steward), Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment (Mr Lawry). Libel Bill (Mr Carncross), Settlers’ Fire Insurance (Mr Hogg), Fire Brigades (Mr Witheford), Contagious Diseases Act Repeal 'Mr Laurenson), Bicycle Dealers Registration (Mr Hogg), Absolute Majority (Mr McNab), Impounding Act Amendment, No. 2 Mr Houston), Totaligator Aboli. lion (Mr Ell) and Inspectors of Schools Bills (Mr Gilfedder). The caucus resolved to proceed with tho Cook Islands Government, Old Age Pensions Amendment, Railway Servants Superannuation, Maori Lands Administration, Licensing Amendment, School Teachers’ Salaries, Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards and Education Boards Election Bills. It was further decided to propose an amendment to tho Work, ers’ Compensation for Accidents measure in tho direction of allowing mortgagees to .remain-secured, and exempting casual labour, practically ■ making the measure similar to the English Act. The Federal tariff as concerning New Zealand was considered, and the Premier said full particulars would be presented to the House. Refined sugar, timber, coal, fruits, oils, Australian, wines, furniture, salts and other pro ducts of Australia imported to New Zealand would be given special promill (trice in the review. He referred specially to coal, fruits, sugar and timber, and especially in making a big concession in favour of sugar refined in Now Zealand. He also stated that if the Estimates were got through this week the session would end by the first week in November. STATE COAL MINE. “ What does the Government propose to do about the State coal mine?” ivas the query addressed to the Minister of Mines yesterday. Mr McGowan replied that this was a large question. It would be a very foolish thing for tho Government to enter into an enterprise of thi s kind without due and proper inquiry. (Hear, hear.) This inquiry was being made at the present time by the inspecting engineer and other men also qualified to express an opinion. Mr Gordon was one of the others, and there was another gentleman whose name he did not know. They were travelling through various parts of tho colony ox amining different districts and coalfields in order to determine which is tho best field where the Government might open a State coal mine for its own requirements first of all. In reply to another question, Mr McGowan stated sum of money would be proposed this session for a State coal mine.

PUBLIC WORKS ACT AMENDMENT. Attention hag repeatedly been drawn to the faulty and contradictory provi. si ons of'the Public Works Act on the subject of width of streets and roads, and deputations have waited upon Ministers to urge that an amending Act should be passed immediatelyto rectify the blunder. At a Ministerial caucus yesterday, we understand, the subject was brought up,” and Ministers gave a distinct pledge that an amending Bill would be introduced this session, and an effort made to pass it into law. There should bo no difficulty in redeeming this promise, even at this late stage of the session, for the matter is one upon which there is likely to be practical unanimity in the House and Coun_ cilJOTTINGS. The efforts of those who have been agitating for an increase in the honors rium are likely to be rewarded with success. It is currently reported in the lobbies that a Payment of Members Bill is to make its appearance in a few days. Though Mr Witheford’s Bill, provi. ding that the insurance companies should contribute to the maintenance of fire brigades, has been included amongst the “slaughtered innocents” for this session, the Premier says that some such law as this is required and that the Government intends to deal with the question. It is hoped to bring down a comprehensive measure on the subject next sessionWith regard to Forest Gate, Mr G. W. Bussell intends to ask the Premier, whether, if the proprietors of the estate elect not to compel the Government to take that property under the award of the Land, for Settlements Compensation Court, the Government propose to compensate the proprietors for the loss and legal and other expenses to which they have been put; and, if so, from what vote will they obtain the money? The member for Pahjatua, Mr O’Meara, suggests to the Minister of Lands that he should appoint a commissioner to hear evidence from members of the House who have made allegations against the administration of the Wellington Land Board.