POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8191, 5 August 1912, Page 1

POLITICAL NOTES.

BUDGET ON TUESDAY VARIOUS CURRENT TOPICS. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey) informed a “Times 1 ’ representative last evening that the iinancial Statement, which wilt contain the policy of the Government, will be delivered in the House on Tuesday evening. There is of course, a good deal of expectation and interest in the announcement of the Government's proposals, and full galleries may bo looked for. A legislator who is qualified to speak of the Ministerial attitude on various questions remarked in conversation with a "Times” reporter last night that the policy is going to surprise a good many people, because of its liberal and progressive character. He believed there would bo several things of particular interest to Labor members, who will have cause to rejoice at the Government’s intentions in regard to curleut Labor questions. The speech will, it is confidently anticipated, illustrate the view that the differences of opinion which separated the Liberal and Opposition ranks in the past few years were not of a radical nature, and it will demonstrate that the Massey Ministry apBreciatos the fact that the people of this lominion aro liberal and progressive at heart. LEADER OP THE OPPOSITION. Speculations are still abroad as to the leadership of the - Opposition, but such speculations at-this stage are of little moment. The man who is to consolidate the ranks of the defeated Liberals has not disclosed himself; and, judging from present indications, the leadership will not be definitely assumed for a while yet. Whoever assumes the position will have a not too easy task of reconstruction and removing, the elements .of disintegration. A member of the pfrty remarked to a "Times” reporter that possibly the leadership will be undecided until the Government Bills come down, and when. something definite has been given to criticise. That would not happen tor a week, or two yet. Moreover, he thought it nyght bo that a leader would ’ not be formally chosen or elected: the position might be attained without being conferred. Personality, Parliamentary experience, intimate departmental; knowledge and capacity to conciliate n ay be the deciding factors, and the man sllow.ing these qualities in the best combination will, it is considered,-most likely'acquire a personal hegemony. Till the measures of the Government are presented, the present position will probably remain unchanged. There may.be a full caucus of'.the Opposition later (in the week. to. discuss this and other matters,' about. eight or nine 'members of the Opposition. ; being out ; of town .at present. The present- condition of the ‘defeated Liberals. inspired a' member to describe them to-a pressman as “a group of self-poised planets, not , a constellation, with too much isolation and not enough mutual attraction." RIGHTS OF Civil, SERVANTS, "On© or two Government members the other. day.spoke in favour; of civil servants being, given full political rights,” remarked a defeated Liberal to a member of the "Times" staff, "but the Mas-, sey Ministry dare not introduce a Bill to do this. It would immediately divide the party, and be a source- of considerable danger. The proposal is quite impossible, and' one has. only to picture Commissioners of- Police, Collectors of Customs, and departmental heads, entering into wordy battles with their Ministers- and neglecting their duties, to realise what confusion would reign in the public service. It is one of the most injudicious suggestions put forward for a long time.” COST. OF LIVING. By some manner or means the evidence and report of the Cost; of Living Commission was taken in hand by the printers before the Education Commission s report,, and the former material is now being printed. The" education report will be presented to the House on Tuesday, but not the evidence. It is uncertain when the report of the Cost of Living Commission will be available. Cabinet*, has not yet considered whether any action should be taken against the persons who refused to give evidence: “in fact,” said the Prime Minister, in answer to a question, <f the matter has not yet come officially before us.” WORKERS’ COMPENSATION.

The Hon. J. Rigs will on Wednesday introduce in the Legislative Council his Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill. Briefly, the intention of the Bill is to provide a better protection for both employers and employees against awndent insurance companies, who undertake the liability of employers under the Workers’ Compensation Act. Often it has happened that a worker who. has suffered total disablement from injuries received in the course of his employment has been coerced into accepting an inadequate lump sum to commute the compensation to which he was entitled. It is contended that the present value of such compensation should . really he the sum obtained by calculating nis weekly allowance over five years at compound interest, whereas certain insurance companies would offer a comparatively.small lump sum in exchange for a receipt is full settlement. The Bill will probably provoke somo discussion, TRUSTS AND, COMBINES, Mr J. Hanan (Invercargill) has given notice to ask the Prim© Minister whether b© will introduce legislation to extend and make more effective the law relating to the evils of trusts and combines., - . ENLARGING THE INITIATIVE. An important principle is contained in Mr H G Ell’s Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill. This provides . that the council of a borough may submit to a poll of the electors a proposal on any matter affecting the borough interests, and upon which the council may deem it desirable to ascertain the opinion of the electors. • Supposing the acquisition of a gas company or electric plant were moot- . ed, this measure would give electors an opportunity of taking the initiative. To obviate trifling requests or referenda on proposals insufficiently .backed by public opinion, tho Bill requires that the request for a poll must he made m. writing and signed by not less than fifteen per cent of tho electors. The council

Explaining the provisions of the Bill to a “Times" representative, Mr Ell remarked that this Bill should command the support of the Government. . The Prime Minister had declared that he was in favour of giving Larger powers of self-government to the people, and the

present, proposal was directly intended to carry that into effect.

EGMONT SEAT, , It is uncertain yet who will be the Opposition candidate in the forthcoming oy-ciocuon at Jsgmont, which will be necessary owing to the appointment of tne non. 'X‘. aiackenzie as High commissioner. Mr <J. A. Wilkinson will be the Government candidate, his nomination, it is reported, haring been signed and left beiore he went to Canada, tie is at present on his way back to jNew Zealand. Mr is. Dive, wno was defeated by the ex-Prime Minister at the last election, is also announced as a candidate,- while a Press Association message from Auckland- states: “The Hon. G. Powlds says ho has no intention of contesting the seat, but would assist a Labor candidate. He suggests Mr Wake as a suitable man, haying the ■ beet claim on Progressive Liberals." ' It is stated that Mr Dive has made strenuous attempts to get the Government nomination and is chagrined at being, turned down. Mr Mackenzie has consented, to withhold his resignation, for a . fortnight to enable Mr Wilkinson to reach New Zealand. TO-NIGHT’S DEMONSTRATION; Nothing in the way of a policy speech, will be delivered by the Prime Minister at to-night’s demonstration of tne Reform party at the Town Hall; • The prooeedings will rather be of the nature of a celebration of victory, and the ■ predominant note of the speeches will be felicitation at the triumph of the party. Tbe demonstration will be held under the auspices of the Political Reform League, and the speakers are to be the Prime Minister, the Hon. W. H. Herries, Hon. A. L. Herdman, Hon. James Allen, Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, Dr A. jv. Newman and Mr W. H, D. Bell, M.P.’s, The announcement of the Ministerial policy will be reserved till the following night.

GRADUATED LAND TAX. "Does the Government intend to increase the graduated land-tax? 1 ' will be asked the I'simo Minister by Mr T. M. VVilford on Wednesday. Mr H. Atuiore (Nelson) will ask the Government whether they will-in f uture use an increased graduated land-tax to break up tho large estates in the interests of closer settlement, instead of continuing tho ruinous policy of purchasing the Inna? GOVERNMENT CAUCUS, The .Government party will hold -a caucus to-morrow. Mr W. i: Ncs worthy is reported to have been selected as Junior Government Whip. LICENSING MAJORITY, The Licensing Amendment Bill of Mr A. S. Malco.m (Ciutna) is a measure;, to provide for a 55 per cent, majority on ■i.censicg questions. “At the next and every subsequent licensing-poll the majority required to determine any question submitted to the electors at that poll shall be 55 per cent, of the total number of tho votes recorded in each district .or throughout New Zealand, as the cose may be, and tho Licensing Act, 1908, shall bo read and construed accordingly. Notice ha * been given bv .Mr W. TT. Ti,

a Licensing Amendment Bill to provide for the restoration of hotel licenses at Porirua and Pahautanui, which were abolished m die recent rearrangement of electoral boundaries.

EXPERIMENTAL FARMS, Oh Wednesday the Minister of Agrionl . ture will be asked by Mr G. _W. Porbes (Hurunui) what steps he is going to take to give effect to the intention of his predecessor to establish an experimental farm and series of experimental stations in the South Island. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE. ■ Notice has been given by Mr A. M. Myers (Auckland East) to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the unsatisfactory position of the High Commissioner’s office in Westminster Chambers, Victoria street, London, S.W’., the Government will endeavour to make arrangements for securing a block of offices in ; the Strand on the same site as the proposed new offices of the Federal Government of Australia. CIVIL SERVICE BOARD. Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) has given n<* tice to ask the Minister of Justice whether it is his intention of bringing in and nns«dng lain law a Bill to create