Political.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 18, 31 August 1894, Page 4

Political.

AVHAT OUR MEMBERS SAY. The system of local Government requires immediate reform. —Mr Guinness. The Colonial Treasurer informed the House lately that the revenue from tobacco was one of the steadiest and most valuable that was received by the Customs. If every one who carries a carpet bag has to obtain a license, a good many members of this House will have to get a permit, said Mr T. Mackenzie recently in the discussion on the ' Hawkers and Pedlars Bill; and then followed a suggestion of political car-pet-baggers, at which the House laughed uproariously. The Premier thinks there is no cause for alarm at the recent exodus of people from New Zealand. In raply to Dr Newman Mr Seddon said that if the Opposition would only help the Government to give effect to the Budget proposals the colony would become so prosperous that no one would want to leave it. Mr Carncross knows a policeman who was fined 5s for spilling ink on a floor. Mr Mitchelson wants to know if it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill this session to amend the Ministers’ Salaries and Allowances Act, for the purpose of increasing the salaries paid to Ministers. .Mr W. Hutchison is enquiring of the Minister of Justice if he can explain how it came to pass that a gro- . cer in South Dunedin, failing to pay a fine, was sent to gaol the other day, treated as a common criminal, and set to work in prison clothes along with criminals. In answer to Mr Guinness, the Premier said that be fully recognised the importance of dealing with the question of the reform of the system of local government,* but no promise could be made that such a measure would be introduced this session. The Minister of Lands has returned a favorable answer to the request of Mr G. Hutchison, that an opportunity should be given this session to amend the Land Act in the direction of periodic re-valuations under the lease in perpetuity tenure. Mr Cadman refused to answer the question of Sir Robert Stout, “ If it is true that the boycott applied by the Government to certain opposition papers, in regard to ordinary Government departmental advertisements, has been also applied regarding bankruptcy advertisements paid for by the creditors of estates ? ” on the ground that it was improperly -worded. A Parliamentary return shows that a larger quantity of spirits was consumed in New Zealand last year than in 1892. There is a falling off in the consumption of ale and spirits, but a slight increase in wine. The consumption of tea has fallen, but coffee and cocoa have advanced slightly. There is the usual increase in the consumption of tobacco. The M to Z Committee report that they have no recommendation to make regarding the petition of Sydenham hotelkeepers who asked for the costs incurred in testing the legality of clause 21 iu the Alcoholic Liquor Sale Control Act. When the Hawkers and Pedlars Bill was before the House an amendment proposed by Dr Newman, that any one hawking goods on a bicycle should be brought under the Act, was rejected. —Wellington Press.