POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13394, 21 September 1905, Page 8

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

OTAGO HARBOUR.- BOARD. "(FlOlt OCR O\VH COF.BESPOHDENT.) WELLINGTON,' September 20. . Mr T.. Mackenzie,- asked, tho Government whether- its attention has; been directed .to tho urgent necessity that exists for readjusting tl'.o representation on the Otago Harhour Board, such change: being rendered imperative by reason.of the amalgamation of some of the suburban 'boroughs' with tho City of Dunedin, and also, and more especially, because of the entire absence of representation on that board •of the agricultural, : pastoral, and mining districts of Otago, and, if so, will tho Government endeavour this session to , pass an amendment of the Harbours Act in the direction of securing reasonable and equitable repre: sentation of the various important interests on the Otago Harbour Board. The following reply was given:— is intended to consolidate tho Harbours Act next session. Certain alterations aro proposed,-including' th'at of placing the representation upon a broader basis thau at present exists," Mr T, Mackenzie urged tho entire discontinuance of nominated members on tho Harbour Board, and called on the Government to trust those interested to elect their members and carry on the important work. He referred to tho enterprise of the Otago pcoplo ill connection with the building of tho Port Chalmers dock, aud .expressed a hope that eventually the port would be made one of the freest ports in tho colony. The policy had in tho past not been altogether a_ good one, and as a result trade had l>ooll driven away to other porta, such as Wellington and Lyttclton. Butter and other produce were now sent from these ports instead of from Dunedin owing to the disabilities under which the port laboured. In Otago, however, they, only used disadvantages as a stepping stone to future successes. At present the ' due 3 were so heavy in Dunedin that vessels were almost afraid to shove their noses into the harbour. Mr Bedford also expressed tho opinion that better representation was necessary on the board, l'ivo Government nominees were too many. Then, again, Port Chalmers, with 2200 people, had three members on the board, whereas Dunedin | City, with 25000, had only two members. In conversation afterwards with the Hon. Mr Hall-Jones that gentleman informed Mr Mackenzie that he was quite ready, in the bill he purposed bringing down, to" do away with all nominated members from the Harbour Boards and widen, tho' franchise. THE DUNEDIN-MOSGIEL-DUPLICA-TION. _ Mr Millar asked the Minister of Railways if he will at the earliest possible moment commence the duplication of the DunedinMosgie! railway, so that tho block in the traffio which is constantly occurring may be overcome, and also that employment may be found for the large, number of unemployed at present in Dunedin and district. The Minister replied. " Plans and othor data in connection with tho duplication of the Duncdin-Mosgiol railway have already been prepared, and arrangements are being made to commence the actual work of duplication at an early date. In undertakings of this character-a considerable period of time is necessarily requirod to make the preliminary arrangements, and a considerable amount of money would bo liable to be wasted if the actual work wero begun before plans and other preliminary work had ken completed. It is intended'to prosecute the work energetically after it has been commenced, and arrangements will bo inado to employ as large a number of suitable men as possible."

CROSSING-KEEPERS. In answer to a <tuestion to-day, Sir Joseph Ward said the duties of bridgekeepers and crossing-keepers arc of the lightest possible character, and the positions are generally filled by men who are unfitted to perform more responsible duties. The pay which is granted to these men is considered to be amply sufficient for the positions they occupy, and the duties they perform. The rents charged for houses furnished by the department are merelv nominal, and the' principle of giving free houses to bridge-kcepore" cannot be agreed to for the reason that if applied in the ease of bridge-keepers it would .ultimately require to bo extended to surfacemen and others, whose duties necessitate their living in railway houses alongside of the railway lino so as to be available in cases of emergency. _ Tho positions of crossing-keepers and bridge-keepers are also greatly sought after by members of the railway staff who in coDsenuenco of their advancing years find Jt difficult to satisfactorily perform the duties previously carried out by them I hose men recognise that, tho positions are extremely easy, and such as would enable them to remain in the service of (he department for many years after they are physically incapable of performing other duties. I regret that I cannot see my way to' make any alteration in the directions indicated. THE, POTATO DISEASE. Mr Barbor asked tho Minister of Airri™"»te. to -day whether, in view of the fact that tho potato disease is prevalent again this season in various parts of tho colony, ho will have steps taken to compel cultivators to spray or otherwise take steps to stamp out the disease! Tho reply was as follows:—'Every means-will bo taken to iclviso growers to spray, which the biologist says is the proved protection. The department has imported two spraving machines for the purposo of demonstrating tho advantages of spraying.* .Leaflets bearing on the question and giving general directions will bo issued to enablo growers to deal with this pest. In addition, inspectors in various districts will bo available- to instruct farmers how to best copo wtih tho pest." In reply to Mr Field, tho Minister stated that the question of introducing legislation to extend the provisions of. tiio Orchard and Garden Pests Act to potato and other field crops was under consideration. Mr Buchanan said he knew of cases in which foraying with Bordeaux mixture, althouph done repeatedly, had not proved a remedy for the potato disease. LEGISLATION BY. EXHAUSTION. Another protest against tho policy of legislation by exhaustion was mado by Mr Massey this morning whilst tho Electoral bill was under consideration in committee. At a quarter past 1 the clauses referring to Maori representation having been disposed of, Mr Massey intimated that ho considered it was time to report progress and conclude the night's work. Tho Premier was absent, and Sir J. Ward, who was in charge of the House,' said that ho intended to go on with the bill. Mr Massey strongly opposed tho Minister's proposal. "Look around the "benches," he said. Tho Minister of Lands was asleep just now, and many other members o , that side of tho House have been very slce»v during the last hour or two. Look at the cross benches (then'almost doserted), and tell me whether tho House has got any right to go on legislating under such conditions." Mr Massey 'protested very Mrongly against tho policy of drive, drive all the time, but a motion to report progress was lost by 26 to 14. Members then set to work to stonewall the clauses of the bill as a protest against the protracted 'll tin?. Mr Reid raised the question as to whether "investigate" was not a better word th.au " inquire into," and proceeded to elaborate tho point by means of dictionarv definitions This led to a question ficm Mr Baume as to whether they wero ti) be kept there all nieht discussing such trifliiifr matters. Mr Mysey said it was a question of principle. Ho fully accepted the- responsibility for what was occurring, and ho added: "I am quite willing to hppeal to the people .as to whether tho business of the country should bo carried on at this hour of the morning or not." At 3 o'clock another motion to report, progress was lost by 25 to IE The Maori members were voting solidly with the Government every lime, and Mr Parata, in particular, _ apoeared .to bo tailing a keen interest in <h« proceedings. "I am just fit, to stop here all night," he oxclaimed, as ho advised other Government members to "stand to their gun's," Another unimportant clause of tho bill havinnr been agreed to- without discussion, Mr Massey again moved to report projress. and was defeated bv 23 to 13.- At this stacn Mr Wood, usually one of the most docile of Ministerial followers, broke bounds, and threw in his lot for tho nonco with the Opposition Desnite. the combined and repeated efforts of Ministers to iinnoaso his sudden outbreak of wrath, he held to his course, and rpiYeatedlv moved to report"progress, but. without, avail. At ?S minutes, past 3'. Hio .member fnr tho Southern.Maori district found vent for. his vitality bv performing a miniature haka in tho "Noes" lobbv durinir one of tbi> divisions, and on his roturn to fhe f'linmber bo evinced a strono , inclination to ronnat the - drimonitentioq 'ihero ..but bo stormed short of cjirryinsr the rlpsirey into pffpet Five .minutes: later a/truce. was nrranced bfltwppii tho Miniifef and tho r.-c-atlor of the Onrio'sil ton. it boiiiir airreo/i tn takn.a few non-fWwtiv>i)!o>l!iii«H mfl then "70 homo."- ■ Ovpr two hours had boon lutes up id : wrivinpr. at this spUloronnt of y>o rlosTrilonJc { but on .rbV nuosrinn of prirtflinle TWr.-Mnsw»:'wit«-sii(Ji(|crt''wit}> ilv; rwilt of hi* :nrbtp«t 'The clauses hi. nuestion' we''o nut: th'rnuirh 'in- a few minutes, and Drnerew TiHyin'er* been rnrerte'l on the viotion-of the-Minuter, tlw House fosa at, 20 miojites to- 'i K ' ;

NATIVE LAND QUESTION. ■ The Native Minister was asked by Mr Field to-day whether the Government will early in tho coming recess set up a Royal Commission to inquire into a-nd report upon tho wisest method of Gettling tho Native land 'difficulty, and generally to inquire into and report upon all matters affecting tho welfare of-tho'Native race? "The. Government will consider the suggestion of. the honourable member," was tho replv furnished by tho Minister. Mr Maesey Eaid that both the question and reply seemed to suggest a de.sire to find an excuse for setting up another Royal Commission. Ho thought they had had. enough. Eoyal Commissions for seme time to come.—("Hear, hear.")— . The matter q! Native lands, he said, had teen dealt with, by the late- Land Commission pretty fully, and ho agreed almost entirely with-its-report on the subject. It was tho duty of tho Government to place its pob'cy' on the Native lan'ds question before the House in the form of a bill. As for a Boyal Commission, if one was appointed they would have no guarantee that when it reported tho Government would not act in the samo way as it had acted in repard to tho report of tho commission on land , tenures. (Mr Hoke: "We don't want a. Boyal Commission,") Mr Massey said that the country expected the Government to put forward'a straightforward Native land policy, and if it did not it should give way to bstter men who would do 60. The Native Minister, in replying to Mr Massey, 'said that thoro was nothing in his answer to suggest any intention to set-up a-com-mission. The Government's Native land policy would bo submitted to the Houso this week. Tho delay had been occasioned by tho fact that several Native delegates had cqrco to Wellington to express their views on hearing that the mea-sure was being prepared. As to tho Land Commission, ho did not know that it took evidence on ;ho Native land question. (Mr Massey: "Oh, yes it-did.") (Mr Hcke: "Not-from Natives.") Mr Carroll said he thought the Natives themselves who were chiefiv interested as ovners of the land should havo-an opportunity of expressing an opinion. THE FLAX INDUSTRY.

The _ Agricultural, Pastoral, aud Stock Committee has decided to invite the Auckland, Wellington, Blenheim, and Invcrcarpill Chambers of Commerce and the various Flaxmillers' Associations, to sond ropresontatives to give evidence before the committee regarding the flaxmilling industry. A number of prominent flaxrcillers arc nko lieiny -invited to attend. If any othaw desire to give evidence they are requested to communicate with Mr Lawry, chairman of the committee. THE CODLIN MOTH.

Sir William Bussell to-day asked tlio -Minister of Agriculture if ho will immediately endeavour to procure from California or Western Australia a colony or colonies of tile natural enemy to the 'cod'lin moth, so as to have the enemy at work during wio coirung fruit sca.soii.-Tho Minister replied :-"Tho biologist of this department reports that when the natural enemy of the codlm moth was first discovered correspondence was entered into with, a vion to making arrangements for a supply of the insect as soon as its efficiency as . natural enemy of tho codlin moth had boen proved. This has not yet, however, been done, the whole matter 'being still in fire experimental slajc. Supplies have been promised by Mr Elwocd C'oopar, who is in charge of the work, but, as he states, the work is very expensive, and ho can' only _'undertake-W supply 10 or a dozen cofonka in such quantities that wouk, spread over tho cntiro island. This wcuia cost £1000.' A similar amount is being asked from all States and countries desirous of securing supplies. The matter, however, will not be further decided until tho success of the parasite is absolutely assured."—Sir William Russell pointed out that excellent work had been done in tin United States, and that tho New Zealand Department, of Agriculture was laggin behind the times. c JOTTINGS.

Tho Law, Union, and Crown Insurance Company, which, oiving to tho passing oi tho State _Firo Insurance Act, ceased business in New Zealand, is petitioning Parliament for the refund of £101, tho proportionate part of £200 license fee for the unoxpirod period of the year during which it ceased to do business in the colony. In re State coal Mr M'Gowan to-day stated that it is proposed to open Iho first depot in Wellington, and when the system of distributing coal to householders in small quantities is established in this city the question of opening depots in other centres will receive consideration.

In answer to _ a question by Mr Rhodes about establishing consumptive sanatoria 'hraushout tho colony, Sir J. G. Ward said a good deal hae been done in this direction. In nddition to tho Cambridge Sanatorium, consumptive annexes have been erected at Now Plymouth and Nelson, and two others r.ro in coureo of erection at the Wellington and Otaki Hospital. At the four last-named places these annexes have boon, or will bo," erected by public subscription, aided by a. Government subsidy of 2'ls in tho pound. j\ movement is now on foot for tho Hospital Hoards in tho Canterbury district to combine for (ho purpose of erecting a sanatorium in Iho neighbourhood of Christchurch. There is every reason to hope that, (is in previous instances, tho cost of this ivill be largely borne by public subscription, which will, of course, bo aidoil by a subsidy from the Government. Tho public throughout t tho colony' is, I am ban'"- to say, taliinfr a groat interest in the subject, unci bos responded most irenorously to tho call for funds. In other districts than tho above-mentioned (hero are indications that similar institutions will shortly bo erected liv similar means. In view of the establishment of hospital annexes it is not tho. intention of the Government to establish 'another sanaforium > on tho lines of the institution at. as such obviously is not required.