POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12415, 26 July 1902, Page 8

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

(Fsoit Ocr. Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, July 25. A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

Another difference of opinion between the Auditor-general and the Treasury is shown in a "tag" affixed by the Auditor-general to the annual report of the Public Trust Office. The "tag" is as follows:—"According toseetion.29of 'The Public Trust Office Consolidation Act, 18! M,- the moneys to the amount of £500.000 arising under section 8 of 'The Bank of Now Zealand and Banking Act, 1895.' became, as soon as they were received by the Public Trust Department, part of t-h~ common fund, any investmentsmade from which cannot lawfully be macie on account of or belonging to any particular estate, and entitled the respective estate to be. credited quarterly with interest, payable at the rato determined by the Governor-in-Council. Such common fund rate of interest has not,.however, been paid. The investment of the moneys in ■ Government securities of New Zealand to the special investments account, and the amount- received as inlerost on the investment- £5750 to'23rd April, 1901, less £4- 18s 2d expended in telegraphing, has been repaid to tho Treasury." How the difference was

'■ nettled" is shown by the following note attached by the Acting-Premier:—"The Public Trustee,'on looking into the matter of the £500,000 came to tlio ccuclusion that it was not a common fund investment. Tho Solicitor-general has confirmed this view, on<l it therefore became necessary to make a correction in the-present balance sheet by now showing it as a special investment.— iJ. G. Ward." FIRE BRIGADES. ■ The Acting-Premier states that it is not intended to bring down any further legislation with regard to the requirement of fire 'brigades until he sees what becomes of the State Fire Insuranoa Bill, which deals very fully with the subject. If tho Stato Fire Insurance Bill docs not pass the matter of 'legislating on the subject in a separate bill will bo considers! by tho 'Government. THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY. Several South Island shipowners have petitioned Parliament regarding disabilities trader which New Zealand shipowners are at present labouring. They Urge a revision of the maiming scale, which provides a scale for vessels greatly in excess of those ruling in other countries, and one that is beyond what is necessary. This they say is more especially the case in regard to medium-sized vessels. The -New Zealand wages are also far higher than those of other countries. These two circumstances in themselves render shipping property at present unprofitable, and prevent capital from beincr invested in extending our colonial marine. Tho petition was referred direct- to tho Shipping and Seaman's Bill Committee. MR BRENT'S PETITION.

Mr D. Brent, of Dunediu, lias forwarded a lengthy petition to Parliament. The petitioner claims that his original appointment to the Boys' High Scliool gave him a lifo tenure, and that if there was any doubt as to the authority of the provincial agents to make such a contract it ought, nevertheless, to bo considered as ratified by the petitioner being long induced to'act on it after Mr G. P. Abram had been compensated on tho footing of its validity; that it was valid under section 19 oE "The Education Ordinance of Otago, 1862," enacting that " all engagements and contracts entered into on the part of the Provincial Government with school teachers in Great Britain shall be punctually fulfilled in the colony"; that it was validated by "The Education Ordinance, 1864-,' which repealed the ordinance of 1862; that the repeal of the later ordinance by "Tho Education Act, 1877," without saving validation gives the petitioner a moral claim upon the colony, and it is for the honour of tho colony'that the petitioner's claim should be recognised; that the petitioner's claim has been virtually recognised by Parliament in voting him a portion of this uipaid salary. On tho whole of the facts and circumstances the petitioner claims he is entitled to the consideration of Parliament, as he has no remedy capable of being enforced in any court. Tho petitioner points out that his salary was reduced some years ago. The' amount of the loss up to the date when the petitioner's dismissal will operate is as follows:—From April 1, 1894, to September *t, 1902, at £125 per annum, £1Q53, He asks the House to take the circumstances into consideration, and afford him such relief as it thinks just.

JOTTINGS. Mr Fisher lias given notice to ask the Acting-Premier to what resolution of this Parliament does the Right Hon. Air Seddon refer in the cabled account of the London New Zealand dinner, which represents the honourable gentleman as saying:— I "Love of the Mother Land, and siothing sordid, prompted the preferential- trade resolution of Parliament, and its communication to Mr Chamberlain in December was proof of it not being connected with the corn tax." Mr Barclay will ask tho Acting-Minister of Defcnce if any stops have been taken towards the formation of an Imperial reserve, as proposed by the Premier in the Dcfence Statement of 1900. Mr Barclay also wants to know if it is correct that returned troopers are to be stripped of all mementoes of the South African war in the shape of rifles, bandoliers, elc. Mr J. Allen is asking if it is intended to if sue to cadcts corp3 of public schools Martini rifles or carbines, and if not, what weapon liaj been or will be issued. Mr Millar wants the Minister of Marine to at once appoint two or three experts to inquire into the cause of several ships being dismasted whilst loaded with nickel ore. and 'to report to him as to the cause or causes of same, and also what steps are necessary to be taken to prevent the recurrence of such mishaps. Mr Millar is to aslc the Minister of Rail-, ways whether the written tenders of the firms outside of tho American Car Company who tendered for cars are now in tho possession of the department; nlso, whether the 63 passenger cars lately imported from America were ordered direct from tho manufacturers or through agents, and if tho latter what firm or firms were employed. Air T. Mackenzie wants to know when the syphon contract at Naseby will be let; also, when the contract for the erection of the new dam will be put in hand; and he has given notice to ask the Minister of Railways whether he considers the , railway station accommodation at Palmerston. South sufficient for the requiremfMts of the district, and, if not, will he favourably consider the propriety of erecting a station suitable to the place. Mr J. W. Thomson wants the Government to consider tho desirability of allowing carbide of calcium or acetylene gas to come in duty free. Owing to a difference of opinion with the Auditor-general, the bringing down of the Advances to Settlers Office report has been delayed. Now that a circular has been issued by tho Education Department requesting Education Boards to recommend teachers capable of conducting military drill classes, Mr Buddo intends to ask the Government whether it will favourably consider the appointment of dulv qualified instructors (from tho Defence Department, in preference) for the purpose of training teachers in military drill.