POLITICAL NOTES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10571, 28 September 1910, Page 1

POLITICAL NOTES.

. By Telegraph. (From ,Our.jQ.wix. Correspondent.) —An Appropriation Bill.— Wellington, September 27. ' "That is news to us," said the Leader of the Opposition this afternoon, when tho Prime Minister remarked that the Appropriation Bill, usually one of the last Bills of the session, was ready. ' "Well; it' is quite true,'' was Sir Joseph Ward's, reply. "The. Bill is ready; we get <mr Bills finished in plenty of time, I can assure you." The Oil Industry.— The development of oilfields was referred to by two or three speakers in the House this afternoon. Mr Wilford suggested that the House might very well consider carefully the granting of power to the Minister of Finance to raise money for the acquisition of oil-hearing areas, which should be kept in the hands of the State rather than of private owners. The Prime Minister said that the development of oil-bearing areas was a very important matter. It would have to be dealt with by special legislation if they were to go about it in a practical way. Th Government had yet to introduce its proposals in connection with tho oil industry, and when they camo clown would be the proper time to discuss the question. —Contagious Disease.— General approval of the Hon. Dr. Findlav's recommendations for the checking of "the social plague" has been expresed by the Auckland Women's Political League. "I am directed," writes the. League's secretary to the Minister of Justice, "to convey to you our entire approval of your proposals, if practicable. We are well aware of the need that exists for such measure if it can be made strictly applicable to both sexes and all classes. If this cannot be done, and already we are being told that the medical profession has declared it will refuse to report the cases, then it will follow that our poor sisters of the unfortunate class will be the only ones brought under the Act, while rich men and women will escape. Our League has, however, every confidence in your sense of justice and ability to make the provisions equal for all." —Territorials and Labor Day.— Mr D. M'Laren asked the Prime Minister whether it was a fact that it was intended to turn out all Territorials on Labor Days throughout New Zealand. He said that it had been done last year with a promise that it would not be repeated. It was undesirable in the interests of the Territorials who belonged to labor unions. Sir Joseph Ward said that if notice was given he would look into the matter. —lmproving Hansard. — A plea for- the improvement of Hansard in.-regard to paper and printing was-made in the House to-day by Mr ■Fisher, who said that the Commonwealth publication was much better than the New Zealand Hansard,in every «'ay. The Prime Minister said that the matter had been brought under his notice by Mr Ell ten days before and a report was being obtained. One of the advantages of the Commonwealth Hansard was the use of iarger type, which might be attempted with advantage in New Zealand. At present the print could not be read at night except in a good light. —A Somnolent Member. — The member for Wellington North brought an avalanche of derision on himself to-day in all attempt to show that several Government Bills promised in the Governor's Speech had not been heard of since. "Then you must hav-e been out of the House a good time," said the Premier. "Very well." said Mr Herdman, "1 will name them again : Local Government, is that printed. I "'' "Yes," said the-Prime Minister, and gave the same assurance in the case of the National Annuities and Gaming BilLs. '•Then the Electoral Amendments: have wo ever seen that?" said the member. "It has been circulated a mouth," said Sir Joseph, amid laughter. "I give way on that," said Mr Herdman. ''But," he added triumphantly, "what about the Anti-Trust Bill:-" "Circulated a month ago," said the Prime Minister, and tho House laughed again.