POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12395, 3 July 1902, Page 6

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(Fp.OU OCP. OS7X COREESPOXDENT.) WELLINGTON, July 2. A SHORT-LIVED DEBATE. Membc.rs generally liavc been so much upset liy the revolutionary character of the changes in their districts made by the Representation Commissioners that they arc talking ot nothing else, and it is no wonder that they could not work up any interest in the Addrcss-in-Tieply debate, which started this evening after the dinner adjournment. The oratory has been of a very mediocre finality,, cveii for the present House, and the galleries- have bepn treated to eloquence of a distinctly debating society character. Few of those who spoke rose to the occasion, and during tho whole evening the members who did grace the House with their presence either coiled themselves on their benches in comfortable, if, inelegant, attitudes, with their hats over their eyes, or olse listened to the watered eloquence with bored tolerance. Mr li. M. Smith treated the House to an hour's confidential talk on ironsarul, etc.,' and regaled them with some choice anecdotes culled.from his English experience. A choice one detailed was an exciting wordy encounter between E. M.' and two English bank managers, who displayed woeful ignorance about our labour laws and the inestimable benefits they assured. Mr Smith told the Houso that tho colony came out all right in this little encounter. Another good one concerned a tilt in -which the member for Taranaki broke a lance with Sir Somcthing-or-Other about New Zealand's financial position. The colony was again the victor. At 11 o'clock tho briefest Address-in-Reply debato came to an abrupt termination, and no one seemed displeased., OLD-AGE PENSIONS. A return of the payments'made under the Old-age Pensions Act shows that in 1901-2 146,427 payments, representing £207,248, were made, as against 130,144, representing £197,727, in 1900-1, DEBENTURE SINKING FUNDS. There has been some correspondence with the Homo Government in regarcj to the inadequacy of sinking funds to meet debentures. One despatch from the Now Zcaand Governor to Mr Chamberlain, on the 10th March last, runs as follows: "In reply to your despatch (101) of the 27th September, 1901, on the question of tho proposed extension of the area- of investment of the sinking fund for redemption of the New Zealand 4- per cent. Imperial guaranteed debentures, and containing an enclosure from the Treasury pointing' out that the sinking fund will probably fall short of the ajhount of the loan, I have the honour to inform you that my Government consider that the accretions of the sinking fund will be certain to be found sufficient to provide for the redemption of such debentures as may bo out of their hands. In the event of the sale of the debentures in excess of .-Cf:00 000 the New Zealand Governmept will immediately provide an increased sinking fund prior to the debenture- maturing sufficient to secure accretions amounting to one million. The New Zealand Government are now paying £4 per cfnt. on, the whole million, and the accretions would be short by some £45.000. or £51.000 when the debentures mature, but if only v £600.000 of this million art aflojt- there would be an excels of about £355.000. Under such circumstances my . Government consider that it would bo useless and nnnocefjsary to increase the yearly charge for sinkine fund without any absoi lute necessity." Mr Chamberlain's despatch is not given, IIR SEDDON IN ENGLAND. ] It appears that Mr -Serldon (at nil event'-' in February last) was anxious to get back to New Zealand as soon as possible. In a to_ the Colonial Office accepting the invitation to the . Coronation, it is stated " t-h?.t my Premier may not be able, owing to the Nsrr Zealand Parliament being t-lion in .Kssir:i!. to remain the full term of three weeks. He will, however, remain as lent; as . there , is important business. He will- arrive in London a few days prior to the Coronation. and is anxious to leave as early as' nowibV?.", ' A DUCAL VISITOR. In reference'.to the. proposed visit to New Zealand of Duke Adolpti Frederick of I Mec.Wenburor-Snhweri.il. a despatch from the. Governor to the Colonial Office, dated March-27 last, says:—"My Government will he., pleased to grant- every facility to his Highness, and -I should be very glad .to entertain him should he visit New Zealand. •W New Zeahud is cne of the first colonie o in. his Majesty's dominions. I trust his Highness will fa'l to vi«'t it" ■ ■ , . 'THE FARMERS'' UNION' ' My H-ornsby .doprceates the attempt being by the Farmers' Union to destroy the New Zealand labour laws. Ho describes tho Farmers' Union as "The National Ass R-rdivivus." He made a-somewhat-bitter attack on the Farmers' Union. • THE SPEAKER, \ i a-y Sir G., M. O'Rorke gracefully ■ returned thanks this afternoon' for the extended leave that.was granted to'him last session when he was eo seriously ill. In doing, so, lie the Houso.that,after h member had served 40 years he could not bo so young as lie was. He thanked Mr Guinness for having discharged the duties of Acting|j ifSpeakcr, and Major Steward for his services' of chairman of committees. The Acting-Premier assured Sir Maurico that all tho -members wore extremely pleased to see him back again in good • health in a position which he lied so ably filled for so many years. Though old age might be creeping upon the Speaker,.as upon others, tho members, recognised the\ fact.that lie was riper in his 'judgment- and wisdom, and that'they reaped the benefit of it. The members were delighted to see him again, and hoped lie would have many more years in the House. ' MR SEDDON'S INVITATION. In invitin? Mr Seddon to the Coronation, Mr Chanvberlxin wroto: — i: Tt is not anticipated that the duration of the actual ceremonies in connection with the Coronation will extend beyond a- few days, but it would probably be .convenient ,to Jit Seddon to arrive in England' a- few days beforehand, and his Majesty's Government hope, therefore, - that lie will consider himself their _ guest for a fortnight from the date of his arrival. It would be an additional satisfaction to them if Mr Seddon should be accompanied by some lady member of. his family." ■ COLONEL PENTON. It appears that the New Zealand Government asked for an extension of Colonel I'en ton's term of office to enable him to visit South Africa and report on the New Zealand Contingents there, but tho War Office refused Mr Seddon's request. The following is tho letter from the War Office to the Colonial Office on the subject:—" Willi reference to your letter of the 23rd inst. forwarding copy of a telegram fi'om the Governor of Now Zealand in which it is recommended that , Colonel A. P. Ponton's period of scrvieo in command of tho New Zealand Forces may be extended, for three, months to enalbe him to proceed to S6uih Africa and report on matters relating, to the.. New Zealand Coiitingents now in. that country and . on those that have been there, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you that Mr Brodrick considers that, in the present state of South Africa, any such tour of inspection -would he undesirable, The appointment of Colonel Babington to succeed Colonel I'enton in command of-the New Zealand Forces is now, at the special request of the New Zealand Government, being proceeded with, and it is considered that on that officer's arrival in the colony lie could' furnish the Government with most of tho information required. Under the circumstances. Mr Brodrick does not deem it advisable to consider an extension of tho period of Colonel Pentoa's command." NEW ELECTORATES. Iff Fowlds in of opjnion that tho proposal to have Single electorates in the cities ; will be carried. From ii conversation I had 1 with him, I should say it was more tlian nrobable-that .we will find him standing i for- the new district of Grey Lynn, which, on paper, reads like a pocket borough for \ him. The new Kaipara district is generally [ admitted to lie a judicious step, as it brings together a bipf area where the interests are ! practically identical. This electorate nb- ' sorbs the settlements along tho banks of tho great- water-way -of the north. > WORKERS' COMPENSATION FOR ! ' ACCIDENTS ACT. ' At the present time ft worker csnnot ' claim compensation under the Workers' 1 Compensation for Accidents Act till after | the expiration of 14 days. Labour organist- ; tions in various parts of the colony have i frequently agitated for nn amendment of ; this clause. They say that it entails much . hardship on the workers, as in a great many cases the effects of an accident do not last more than seven or eight days, and at the present time an employee cannot 1 claim any compensation for the lost time, even though it extended to 12 or IS days, Mr Atkinson (Wellington City) intends to introduce a hill at an early date reducing the period that must elapse between the occurrence of an accident and the dato of claiming compensation from 14 days to oneday. NEW ZEALAND CONSOLS. ' The' total amount of deposits received under the Consols Act from Ist April 4 1901,

lo 31st March, 190?,, amounted to ££935. I The particulars of investments made on tho sreurity of debentures are as under; —"The I Government ■ Lojii.* to Lc«sl Bodies Act, 18EG,:* 3jj. per rent, pur annum,'£ll,2oo: "The Local Rodics' Loans Act. 1901," 3J per ccni. per annum, £2000:-total, £13,200. rXAUTH OR IST-D EXPENDITURE. The unauthorised expenditure for the year amounted to £79,911, mado tip as follows:— Consolidated Fund, £72,70?.: I'i:b! : e Works Fund,'£ssss: Public 'Trust Ollic-c, £69; Government Life Insurance ' Department, £135. Amoug.-it the items arc the following:—Grant for distribution to sufferers bv earthquakes at Cheviot, £1500 ; honorarium to W. Kennaway for services lo stock and loan agents, £300.: cxpoiiEK in connection with memorial service on the death of her late Majesty Queen Victoria, £63. STATE RANK. The Stale bank propo.d is not to be lost sight of; A meeting of members of tho Legislative Council, and members of the House of Representatives who ai'e interested in 1 the 1 matter will Be held on Friday. Messrs W. M. Bolt, Thomas Kelly, J. A. Millar, and 11. G. Ell aro the conveners. THE TOTALISATOR. . Petitions praying for tho abolition of tho totalisator descended upon tho llcu.se this afternoon in a perfect shower. Some of thfem had to be presented by well-known (•porting men, which caused other less sporting members to smile broadly. ■' QUESTIONS. Tlie first day's proof Order Paper is a liuge bro?d sheet of quMtic'.is, notices of motions, etc.—a dear indication that members have in view the general-election looming ahead. Amongst the questions of general interest are tho following:— Mr G. W.- Russell to ask the Minister of Public Works if he will explain to the House tho real reason why all railway construction works in the ■ colony were stopped shortly after'last session, and some thousands of men compelled to suffer a lockout. G. J. Smith to ask when tho steam service between- New Zealand and South Africa, under tho contract entered into between the Agent-general and the representative of the Bluo Star line, will commence, and at what internals steamers will leave 'New Zealand ports. Mr Millar to a=k when the Government -propose paying the balanco'of wages due to returned members of tho South African contingents, also other outstanding accounts in connection with the. ducal visit. Mr Ell to ask wheu the sanitoria for tho Ireatment of-consumption'will'-be ready for receipt of sufferers from this disease. Mr Wilford to ask whether any resolutions have,-been framed for submission to members dealing with the carriage of mails from N T ew Zealand to San' Francisco, and whether tho Government will give members an early opportunity- of discussing the question of subsidies to tho Oceanic Steamship Company. . ■ Mr Fisher will move that there bo laid before the' House the American newspapers -.'ontaining the articles on New Zealand' •vritlen by Mr C. W. M'Murran to tho order -if the New Zealand Government; also for -i return showing the salary and travellingexpenses paid to Mr M'Murran from tho Hme of his employment as a journalist in 'he.pay qf the New Zealand Government; rlso a copy of the agreement ont-ered into !iy_tho Government with Mr M'Murran ■inucr which Mr M'Murran undertakes to' .vrito a book on New Zealand on behalf of '■he New Zealand Government, Mr M'Nab to ask the Minister ot Lands if any promise has been given to the Charl•on settlers, that a chain reserve along the 'i.inks of the pres:nt stream will be closed, md a like width substituted along the banks of the new channel; and, if so, when does - he purpose fakintr steps to effect the change and dispose of the present reserve. Also, 'hjn payment will be made to the Charl•on riparian landowners of- the compensation ronvsod to them in connection, with the .uttiiig-of tho tail race and the declaration of the stream and race a channel for the - kposit of tailings. ■■ Mr Arnold is to ask the Actirgjlinister f Defence under what system and by whom ■'■wiples of boots, shoes, and leggings were "Iccted for the Ninth and Tenth Contingents' ; also, whether lowncss of price was the onlv consideration in accepting tenders. Mr Arnold also asks for particulars of tho prices and the tenderers for boots. He will further ask what is being done with regard to the erection of the Duncdin rail.ray station,. and whether the work is to ':o done by contact or not. Also, what steps tho Government intend to take for the purposo of - extending the capacity of tho railway workshops so as to obviate" the necessity-of further importations of rolling stock. ■ , Mr Millar wants to know if any tender has beon accepted by the Government for a new steamer for Lake Wnkatipu, and if not, will tenders be called far from engineers and r.'upbnildors .in,the .colony for building such a vessel before any contract is entered into. .. .JOTTINGS. Mi* E. M.- Smith,' the dapper littlo member for Taranaki, who was nbsont from Parliament-iast-session-booming ironsand in the Old Country, is once more in tho ITouEe. He lost no time mounting his bobby horse, and this afternoon -gave notice' of several ' questions in-which Taranaki ironsand figured i largely. i Mr Pirani has been spending a few days in hot water at Rotorua, and comes back ■ much impressed with the possibilities of tho ' district* As a result of his trip he is asJc- ; ing for information concerning the construci Hon of the Sewerage works, about winch there lus been some difficulty. True to hifi promise to facilitate the pro- - - duotion of tlicT annual return?, Sir Joseph Ward, tho A.cliiig-Premicr, brought down a i batch this afternoon. The appearance of tho ! Railway Statement at this cat'ly period ■ of the session was greeted by a round of -ipnlause from the members. i The- Coal. Mines Act Amendment -Bill, to lis introduced by Mr Guinness, provides that the proviso to, the section in this act ■passed la?'i_ session which enacts that the lime occupied ■ lor.. pna.li. Avliik) minors avc working underground should not be rcclconcu ' in the eielit hours' time during which miners , are working underground, be repealed so [ that rc.in.ei's shall not be required .underground for a longer- ucriod than eight hours ! from boulc to bank. The Mining. Act 1 ' Amendment Act also provides to make a ' similar amendment in the Mining Act. Mr Pirani has definitely decided not to seek re-election; Mr i. 11, Hoodcr, a well-known farmer of Loniburn, is spoken of as a nro!:-dblc Opposition candidate for the Pslmeraton district He will command strong support, ; including the prohibitionist vote. , J°hn _ Health' Newlyn, of Christchurch, ! who. claims that lie is tho originator of the . elicap' inon'e'v scheme' in 'Neiv Zealand, is [ asking the Government to grant him com- , pensa'tion for tlie i'dea.' It is the intention of the Government to , introduce a bill to amend tho classification ■ of the post and tciceraph officials. Tho bill . will, among other things, improve the posi- ; tioii of the lower grades of tho non-clerical ! division. j The s following items appear iu il, o year's . uiiautiionscd expenditure:— Gratuity on reI to E. • Dou'gall, quarantine keeper, . Dunedin,. £125; cash -stolen, Mosgiel. £38 " I _Mr Sidejr. met. with a very cordial n&p. I Evening in moving tho Address-in- . Reply- and., his. maidon -speech ' was 'well received. ' Tho Frauklyn electorate has been so dis- . figured by the Rspresentation Commissioners . that Mr Maffiey has not, yet decided for . what district ho will stand at- next election. j. .<■. -