POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13421, 23 October 1905, Page 5

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE SESSION.

(From Our Ovre Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 22.

The delay in the progress of business involved by the stonewall on tho Criminal Code Amendment liill must lirvo the effect of prolonging the session by a, day or two, notwithstanding tho fact that tho Premier stated, when tho House Wii3 rising on Saturday morning, that lie would bo ablo to make up for lost time. The discussion on the Loan Bill and Public Works State-ment-and Estimates, which was to havo been disposed ot last week, still remains to be taken, in addition to other business which cannot very well be left undone. The expectation of bringing the fession to nn end qii Wednesday cannot, therefore, be realised, but 'it is anticipated that, tho closing scene will bo reached some time during tho latter end of tho week. THE RAILWAY SERVICE.' The railway classification list was laid on the table of the Houso by tho Minister of Railways just before the llouso voso yesterday morning. Mr Massey reminded the Minister of the promise given early in tho session to mako a : statement regarding the betterment of the condition of the raiiivay service in regard to the hours worked by engine-drivers, firemen, and guards, and the wages paid in the lower grades of tho service. He said hp thought the Government should make an announcement beforo the end of the session in regard to its intention respecting this important matter. Sir Joseph Ward replied I hat he would probably submit his proposals on this subject. when the Supplementary Estimates wore brought down. COST OF PARLIAMENT.

A return presented to tho House the other day showed that .the total daily cost of Parliament (eycli)sivo of statutory expenses, which do not vary with the length of the session), is about £11(5 per sitting day. The other statutory annual expenses, including the honoraria of members, is roughly'calculated at about £50,000, and, taking 80 sitting dqys as the average per session, tha cost of running tho colonial "talking shop" may bo put down roughly at. about £700 per sitting day. "Is it ■worth it?' Iho country well may ask. BOXING.

The Boxing Committee, in its recommendations regarding the control of boxinpj in tho colony, suggests a controlling council of seven persons to be elected by registered associations, tlio eoimril toiiiake rules for tlio provincial centres, which latter should control everything relating to their own local contests. While professional contests for exhibition arid educational purposes are approved, it is recommended that hosing for cash prizes be not permitted. The committee recommcnds that programmes he subject lo approval by Iho Colonial Secretary, and that no association ho registered unless recommended by a provincial centre and approved of by the council.

A PETITION' l)r Finnic Wallace Mackenzie lias petitioned Parliament complaining that Major Andrew, on arrival in Noiv Zealand, reported secretly to General Dabingkm that petitioner had ikkjlodlcil tho sick" 011 tlio voyage from South Africa in the troopship Montrose. and thai as a result of this lie was 'gazetted out of flic Volunteer Force. In consequence of lliis he, lost command of the Bearer Corps, which he raised and commanded. Afterwards the corps disbanded, nntl petitioner was left with a liability of £100 for uniforms.. Ho asks to be relieved from this claim, and to be reinstated in his commissi"!! in the Volunteer Force from the time he was gazetted out.