POLITICAL MOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8783, 13 July 1914, Page 8

POLITICAL MOTES

THE REFERENDUM BILL FORECAST OF THE VOTING. The position regarding the Religious Instruction in Schools Referendum Bill, which has been introduced into Parliament by the Hon. James Allen, is still the subject of a great deal ol discussion in and about the precincts of Parliament. Now that the subject has become such, a bitterly controvers.al one, members are talking just now a great deal of the reasons which prompted Air Allen, in his capacity as Minister for Education, to introduce tho bill. During tho dourse of the interview between the National Schools Defence League and the Prime Minister on Saturday morning, Mr Massey stated that Mr Allen introduced the bill as Mr Allen personally, not as Mr Allen, Minister for Education. Members of the league attached a great deal of importance to this statement, and naturally asked questions as’ to why the hill was brought in by Mr Allen at. all; rather it should have been in charge of Mr Massey himself, as tho head of the Government. The fact that Mr Allen is in charge of the bill establishes in many minds an impression that the Government is in favour of not only a referendum, but of the Bible-imSchools • League’s proposals for religious instruction in the State schools. This impression has gained very firm hold, for on every hand one is hearing that ‘ ‘the Government” has made a mistake. However this may be, it appears fairly certain that the bill will not receive more than 22 votes when the fatal division comes. A tally of the members made by a disinterested party gives the voting as: Ayes 21, Noes 56. SCENIC RESERVES. The annual report on scenery preservation shows that .3000 aores have been reserved during the year. This brings the total area of scenic reserves in the Dominion to over 214,000 acres, which are split up in 363 reserves. The report remarks upon the fact that this area comprises mostly hilly land which is unsuitable for settlement, except in large areas at low rentals. SLOT TELEPHONES. In a report presented to Parliament, the Postmaster-General shows that the revenue derived from slot-telephones for the year ending March 31st last was £2633. Ninety-nine machines were Installed by the end of the year. Tho report also shows that for April, 1914, the revenue was £338, for May £317, and for June £323. Eight new machines are shortly to he installed Wellington. Throughout the Dominion the department has In hand the erection of new machines which will cost £4691. HOMES FOR POLICEMEN. “For many years past,” says tho Commissioner of Police (Mr J. Cullen), in the annual 'report of the Police Department, “ the Government has been expending considerable sums of money in various localities in providing workers’ homes, and I am of opinion that if a similar scheme applied to this department could bo carried out very satisfactory results would accrue. In providing workers’ homes the land upon which the houses are erected has to be •purchased, but this would not he necessary in the case of this department, as there are ample Government sites lying idle in many towns. The total amount which the department has paid in house allowances to members of the force during tho past ten years is £64,500, the annual expenditure under this heading having increased from £3500 in 1904 to £10,280 last year.” THE NEW COUNCILLORS. The Government still maintains its conspiracy of silence regarding tho new Legislative Councillors. It is an open secret, however, that there has been a great deal of trouble over the appointments, and offers of seats by the Government have been turned down by most desirable (from a “Reform ” point of view) men in well-known positions. It is practically certain that neither the Hon. J. R. Sinclair nor the Hon. O. Samuel will be reappointed. Mr W. H. Triggs, editor of the Christchurch “ Press,” who has been mentioned as a likely appointee, is stated to have refused nomination. THE WEEK’S PROGRAMME. The Licensing Bill, in its second reading stage, will probably be before the House to-morrow. The Referendum Bill is in the Government’s mind as the main business for Friday next, while the Education Bill, containing important proposals regarding teachers’ salaries, appointments <inj staffing, will in all probability be introduced by the Minister for Education towards the end of the week. •