POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9546, 30 September 1892, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, September 29. CONVERSION OPERATIONS. The Legislative Council Committee on the working of "The Consolidation of Stock Act 1884-:' reported to-day. After reciting the ■ facts generally, the report proceeds as follows: " The intention of the act was to provide means by which the colony might be relieved from the burden of sinking funds attached to loans under various acts amounting in the- whole to L 9,289,800. 'The Consolidated Stock Act 1884-' authorised the creation of debentures annually equal to the annual sinking fund .required by the loan acts beforementioned to be provided, and also interest on all investments of sinking fund in respect of those loans. The sinking funds set free through conversion were directed, after full provision for all engagements, to be paid into the public works fund. The committee finds (1) that the public works fund has derived from sinking funds set free assistance to the amount of L 346.397 ; (2) that ordinary revenue has been relieved from the annual burden of sinking fund during the eight years to the extent of L 1,744,205; (3) that the ordinary revenue has been aided during that period to the exleut of L 373.579 ; (4) that these operations have involved the payment of interest on debentures issued under the act to tha amount of L 241,737."

NEW COUNCILLORS. The latest rumour is that the Hon. E. Richardson and J. A. Heaton will be among the new Wellington Legislative Councillors. FACTORIES BILL. The Labour Bills Committee of the Legislative Council have recommended that two new clauses be added to the Factories Bill: —(1) Exempting from its operation slaughter houses, freezing works, dairy factories, and shearing sheds, and providing that they shall not be included in the definition of "factory" or "workroom."' (2) A new schedule fixing the fees for registration at 2 guineas, 1 guinea, and 5s respectively. CONCILIATION BILL. The report of the Labour Bills Committee on the Conciliation Bill was presented to the Legislative Council to-day. Ib recommends some important amendments:—(l) That the Controller-general, instead of a Supreme Court judge, shall be president of the arbitration court; (2) that no solicitor shall appear in conciliation cases ; (3) that the court may grant -v rehearing; (4J that the court shall not have power to compel or prevent persons employing or working or to prevent employers engaging persons not parties to the dispute. ' °

TAXATION OF BUILDING SOCIETIES. The various attempts to gain concessions for building societies under the taxation Jaw provoked considerable discussion to-night The Minister in charge of the Land and Income Assessment Bill, the Hon. Mr Ward, said he would accept an amendment proposed by Mr' lhoinpson, providing that so much of the money which a building society registered under any act in lorco relating to building societies has received on deposit on interest and invested on mortgage on land in New Zealand shall be deducted from any return of mortgages made by such societies under the act. Mr Moore argued that would be a concession to large but not to small building societies. He wanted to include amongst the exemptions mortgages held by societies registered under auy act relating to building societies in New Zealand. The only further loss to the colony by the concession he asked for would be LISOO a year. Mr T. Thompson hoped that the Minister would accept Mr Moore's amendments. He had been coufce:.!, with his own because he had not been abk- to persuade the Government to agree to the other. Mr Ward could not accept the amendment proposed by Mr Mooro. H would mean a further concession of nearly L4OOO a year, and that the Treasurer could not agree to. Mr Joyce objected to the taxation of deposits of small friendly societies while a largo and wealthy institution like the Auckland Savings Bank was exempt from taxation under the bill A long discussion took place on the subject amongst the most determined opponents nf Mr T. Thompson's amend meat being Mr R Thompson.

A CHINESE PETITION. A remarkable petition has been presented by the Chinese traders of the colony, who pray Parliament to exempb hawkers of fruit and vegetables from the operation of the Pedlars and Hawkers Bill. They pint cut that British exports to China average L 6,000,000 annualjy, and that Europeans are permitted to hawk and sell goods in Canton, Pekin, and Shanghai. They all offer to prove that the police have a tendency to harass Chinese hawkers in every possible manner. They allege that the Chinese have paid LlO poll tax, being induced to emigrate hither by the existing free and unfettered right to hawk and selt the eommoduies produced by them in the colony. They complain that the Hawkers and Pedlars Bill, if passed, will have the effect to hinder their obtaining a livelihood. They ask to be heard at the bar of the House in support of the allegations. MONEY BILLS AND THEIR ABUSE. Resentment is strongly expressed by the Legislative Council at the attempt made to force through certain Government bills without amendment on the plea that they are 'I money bills," and consequently not constitutionally amenable to amendment by the Legislative Council. Forinstance, itis objected that the Public Revenues Bill legislates on four totally distinct subjects not geraain to each other. It is contended that under his instructions th& Governor cannot constitutionally assent to a bill which deals with several incongruous, subjects. What is proposed to be done, if the Speaker rules that the Council cannot alter any part of such bills, is to "lay them aside." Then the House will appoint a committee to search the Journals of the Council and ascertain what has become of them. After that they will have to be sent up again in proper form or dropped. Feeling in, the Council is very strong on this question of the attempted smuggling through of measures, under cover of a " money bill." JOTTINGS. The Public Petitions Committee have recommended, at the request of the Minister for Justice, that the petition of Judge Edwards bereferred to the Public Accounts Committee. Mr Earnshaw is urging that the Government should press the Railway Commissioners to make a determined attempt to keep their stanv of workmen working full time by getting the complete rolling stock into efficient condition, and thus assist in tiding.over the present stagnation, of the labour market, so as not to accentuate tkepresent depression.

An.interesting sample of the work produced by means of the lithographic stone found at. Blongonui has been sent to Mr Houston by the-Surveyor-general, Mr S. Percy Smith. It isa closely-printed map of a portion of the South Island. The map, which contains part of tne tortuous west coast of the extreme south, isclear, and proves that the stone is admirably suited for its purpose, especially as no flawscan be detected anywhere. The Survey department are testing the stone, and, if satisfactory, it is to be used by the Governmentfor lithographic work, replacing the imported stone.

The committee to whom was referred the question of the rival routes for the North Island Trunk railway have completed the evidence and) are to commence their deliberations to-morrow-It is probable that their report will be submitted on Monday or Tuesday. Certain amendments to the Bankruptcy Bill, as passed by both Houses, have been sent down-, by the Governor, and are agreed to. They ar& mostly verbal. The only one of importanse isthe provision in clause 37 that a creditor shall not be entitled to present a petition in bankruptcy unless the debtor shall have committed an act of bankruptcy within three months previously, instead of six months as originally stated in the bill. •

The committee of the Legislative Council! reported to-day on the Native Land Purchase; Bill generally approving its provisions, buttaking strong exception to that ajipropriatiug L 50,000 annually for an indefinite period, and, while recognising that as a money bill it could not be amended by the Council, recommending that there should be a definite time to the appropriation.

Most of the amendments proposed by the Labour Bills Committee in the Labour bills were suggested, I understand, by Mr Downia Stewart.

It is intended to propose an amendment in the clause of the Public Revenues Bill which surcharges members of local bodies with moneys, illegally voted. The amendments will be:— " (1) Enabling a person surcharged to appeal to the Supreme Court. [2) Enabling him to compel contributions from other parties to the. illegal vote." " " .

Some Legislative Councillors characterise-' the reasons put forth by the House committee for disagreeing with the Council's amendmeutsto the Electoral Bill as so crude and absurd asto amount to a burlesque of the whole affair. This is taken as showing that the Governmentdo not really want the bill to pass, and areseeking a plausible excuse to drop it.

It is proposed to exclude from the operation, of the Conciliation Bill employers who are not' employers of unionists.

la the absence of.the Premier^-who is a little better to-day—the Hon. Mr Ward conducted the Land arid Income Tax Bill through committee to-night.

The debate on the Public Works Statement is to commence to-morrow night. It is not likely to be protracted.

During his speech on Native affairs to-nighfc Mr Rees lamented that very Jittle attention was given in the House to the debates of this subject, the most important question in New Zealand at this time.

It is probable that the clause in the labour bills raising the minimum age at which boys> may be employed from 13 to 14 will be struck out by the Council.

In all probability several Government bilk sent up-to the Legislative Council will be"laid aside" in order to compel their reintroduction in a more satisfactory form. Those mentioned are the Public Revenues,. Land for Settlement, Native Land Purchase, and Loans to Local Bodies. . -

Mr Valentine asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the- dairy expert, Mr Sayvers, whilst following his occupation as dairy instructor is also carrying on business on his own account as agent for the supply of dairy implements' and the disposal of dairy produce, and, if such is the case, does the Minister approve of the instructor so carrying on business whilst holding a position under Government ? He stated that the question had been put because at the time application was made by an eminent expert some time ago for the office of instructor, objection was raised to the fact that he was carrying on business on his own account as agent for a dairy implement maker, and this business he wished to retain. It was understood Mr Sawers was carrying on a somewhat similar connection with trade. The Minister said he was not aware that the present instructor was doing any business on his own account, but he understood he might have a few shares.in a dairy factory company to which, of course, no objection could be taken. He would make further inquiries. Notice has been given by Mr Valentine to ask the Minister for Lands if he will undertake the exploration of the Auckland Islands with a view of cutting up the land for settlement, for grazing runs, or otherwise as may be found desirable.