POLITICAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5007, 3 July 1903, Page 7

POLITICAL NEWS.

WTRELESS TELEGRAPHY. In the Wireless Telegraphy Bill, introduced by tho Hon Sir Joseph Ward, the Governor is empowered to establish stations for this system of telegraphy, and the provisions of Part I. of the Electric Lines Act, 1884, shall apply to these stations. A penalty not exceeding £SOO is fixed for the offence of establishing any station for wireless telegraphy unless tho consent of the Govemor-in-Oounoil shall first have been obtained, and, in addition to this, the plant used 1 will be forfeited. • ■ ; MB J. A. MILLAR. I Mr J. A. Millar, who was yesterday appointed Chairman of Committees in the Lower House, first entered Parliament in 1893 as member for Chalmers. When tho boundaries were changed he stood for Dunedin City in 1896, and was success!®!, and has represented that constituency ever since. Mr Millar,, who was bom in 1855 in India, is the eldest son of Major-General J. . 0. Millar, of the Bengal Staff Corps. At the * close of the Mutiny ho went to Scotland, and was educated at .Edinburgh. In 1870 he came to New Zealand with the intention of ' learning sheep-farming, but on the voyage out took a fancy for the sea, and was bound apprentice to Messrs Henderson and Co. a few months after reaching Dunedin. He’ also served in the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s line, but left the latter in 1881 with tho intention of -settling in the colony. . Subsequently he entered the coastal service, remaining thus employed for six years, acting as mate and master. , In 1887 he finally gave■up the sea upon his election as general secretary of the Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand. CROWN TENANTS. Under, Mr Duncan’s Bill amending the Crown Tenants’ Bent Rebate Act, it is stipulated that the rebate authorised by the Act of 1900 shall bo allowed to every Crown tenant for a' period of five years from the date of his lease or license, and shall he allowed in respect of leases issued! either before or after the commencement of his Bill. JOTTINGS. Notice was given yesterday by Mr Wood that ho would introduce tho Palmerston North High School Bill. Mr E. G. Allen intends to ask if the capitation to cadet corps -will be increased. ■ A return is to bo prepared on the motion of Mr Vile showing the receipts and expenditure on account of the Levin State farm since its control was taken over by the Minister of Agriculture. Mr EH wants a return showing the revenue which would accrue from tho income tax were tho exemption lowered to £2OO. Mr Remington spoke yesterday in favour of a limited freehold. He did so amidst the “Hear, hears” of the Opposition. Mr E. M. Smith suggests that Professor Easterfield should bo sent to New Plymouth ou.ii mission of inspec-

tion of Mr Smith’s collection of ironsaud curiosities, and that ho may, says tho member for Taranaki, “hear my detailed explanation,” and then return to Wellington and deliver a lecture oa the subject.