POLITICAL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7871, 5 August 1911, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES

THE HOUSE DIVIDES ■WELLINGTON SOUTH MEMBER AS COMMITTEEMAN. The division bell sounded, for the first time this session yesterday afternoon on a motion by Mr R. A. Wright (Wellington South) to strike his name off tho petitions classification committee. Tho House took the view that Mr Wright was shirking his duty. He had previously been allowed to withdraw his name from tho printing committee, but on tho second protest tho House assorted itself. In a party division in which Mr D. McLaren voted with the Opposition minority, it was decided by 39 votes to 21 to retain Mr Wright's services. HUTT ROAD. SHARINGTHE COST. The Hutt Railway and Road Amendment Bill introduced by the Hon. J. A. -Millar was read a first time yesterday, the mover explaining that it brought four local authorities —the Hpper Hutt Town Hoard, .Makara County Council, Eastbourne anil Miramar boroughs—back into the area from which they had severed since tho original Hill was passed. A commission would be set up to allocate tho proportion, of tho cost of tho road. Mr Luke : You aro going beyond tho old conditions. Trio Minister: No further than was previously the case. Mr Herdman: Have tho local bodies been notified of tho proposed change in the law? Tho Minister: There is no change in tho law. They were originally liable. Mr Luke; What discount arc you going to make? The Minister: No discount, hut hard cash. The money wo paid to make the road must bo paid jointly by tho local authorities. THE STANDING ORDERS. Several important amendments to the Standing Orders of the House were recommended by a select committee last session; but no opportunity arose for their discussion. Yesterday Sir James Carroll said that if tho business was not to pressing there might bo an opportunity this Some very imjiortant amendments might bo made. ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT. Tho Administration Amendment Act has been introduced to provide that where letters of administration are granted to the Public Trustee under the Imperial Act of 1906 it shall not be necessary for him, on tho resealing of tho letters in New Zealand, to s,execute a bond for tho payment of such probate, stamp succession and other duties and fees as would have been paid outside New ' Zealand, TWO JUNIOR CADETS. FOUR THOUSAND MORE THIS TEAR. There are 29,007 junior cadets and officers in New Zealand, or, nearly 4000 more than in the previous year covered by the annual report of the commanding officer. This number includes 913 officers, 320 scoutmasters, and 6128 scout cadets, tho latter being outside the Boy Scout organisation. Major Macdonald, the commanding officer, states that wherever ha has inspected tho corps, ho has found the utmost enthusiasm and generally speaking, satisfactory work was being done by all ranks. Everywhere there has been a keen desire for instruction and as a result of tho camps for this purpose, and the oflicers’ training uuits at the four training colleges, there I will be an annual supply of 100 partlyj trained teachers who will be able to look after the cadets at their school. On tho coming into force of the Defence Act, 1909-16, providing for the compulsory training of junior cadets, which necessitated tho taking over of all assets and lawful liabilities by tho Government, it was found that a very largo amount of the equipment in tho possession of cadet units was worn out, in some cases being as much as from eight to ten years old, and required replenishing, in addition to which each now unit as it was formed had to bo fully equipped. Consequently, 10,090 sets of equipment (including model rifles, belts, and haversacks), 10,009 caps, and 6000 jerseys had to be purchased during the year. WORKING MEN’S CLUBS. ! "I would like to see every one of them wiped right out,” declared the Hon.. J - Barr in tho Legislative Council yesterday, when, speaking of working men’s clubs and tho necessity for improving tho conditions of employees therein. Ho was of opinion that tho title was quite a misnomer, for the employees were sometimes kept going for inordinately long hours on a very small wage. Tho provisions of the Arbitration Act ought to be extended to cover such workers, though a much better plan would be to abolish tho clubs altogether. They were not required and there was no justification for their existence. COMPETITIONS j PaPUTxAJK MOVEMENT. WESTLAND. I PEEBS ASSOCIATION. I GIMmiOUTH, August 4. j The elocutionary contests aro ‘ proceeding vigorously each day and evening bo-1 foro immense audiences. Mr Baeyertz on ] several items expressed his highest ap-| proval of the marked improvement since last year. | AUCKLAND. j Tho success "which tho Auckland Com-j petitions Society met "with last year has resulted in a much more comprehensive programme for this year, which will ex-, tend over a period of twelve days, com-| mencing on November 27th. The prize i money amounts to over .£SOO, and in-j eludes the most valuable prize ever offered in any part of the world for a solo pianist recital, an Allison Grandette value £l4O. The cash prizes for church choirs amount to £6O, in addition to a silver-mounted challenge shield for the winning choir. Other sections are well provided for. DUNEDIN. The Dunedin society's annual festival will bo held in His Majesty's Theatre from Sept. 19th to 30th (inclusive), and it is anticipated that there will an (exceedingly large entry again this year. The services of Professor Ives, of Melbourne, have been again secured as musical judge, and Mr L, Paine, of Melbourne, is to be elocutionary judge. Intending competitors aro reminded that entries close on Saturday, August 12th,