INTERESTS OF LABOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1927, 29 January 1891, Page 18

INTERESTS OF LABOUR.

The Interests of Labour Bill, of which Mr R. M. Taylor gave notice to-day, is a similar measure to that introduced by Sir George Grey a few sessions ago. The measure provides that eight hours shall constitute a day's work and 48 hours a week's work ; that to prevent the grave scandal of sweating taking place, in Government and municipal contracts provision shall be made for the payment of the local rate of wages; that leases of mines shall not be granted by tho Government; that when fitting opportunities offer the Government shall purchase the coal mines and work them. The bill also makes provision for injured miners or families of miners killed or injured.

THE MINISTERIAL POLICY.

According to lobby gossip, one of the Ministers is credited with having said that his joining the Ballance Government was conditional on there being no revolutionary policy pursued, and as for the question of a progressive land tax the new Ministry would simply " keep it steadily in view."

OPPOSITION TACTICS.

Some difference of opinion exists among the Opposition party with respect to the policy and programme of the party. The decision of last night appointing [Messrs Bryce and Rollestonja managing committee is not deemed final, but is regarded merely as a temporary expedient to remain in fores until the party has time to look about. One section of the party desired earnestly that Sir John Hall should be the new leader, but Sir John's health is still so indifferent that he could not have undertaken so arduous a responsibility however strongly it might have been pressed upon him. The wish of another section that tho party should cut itself wholly free from all trammels of the past and should enter upon an entirely new career without being necessarily held to represent the views of former leaders of the old party. These members object to either Mr Bryce or Mr Rolleston being chosen as leader. They prefer to let matters go on for a time without seeking to harass the new Government, but constantly watcbiDg for the opportunity and right occasion to deal them a mortal blow. The arrangement may thus be regarded as purely provisional and temporary in its nature.

THE WAKATIPU DISTRICT.

Notices were given to-day by Mr, Fish respecting matters in the Wakatipu district as follows : (a) To ask the Minister of Justice (1) if he is aware that the clerk of the court at Queenstown also occupies the position of secretary to the Wakatipu Hospital and the Acclimatisation Society, for both of which offices he receives a salary; (2) if the above is correct, does the Minister approve of a salaried officer of the Crown holding other paid appointments, and if he does not, will he take steps to remedy the evil, (5) To ask the Minister of Lands (1) if he is aware that the rabbit agent of the Lake Wakatipu district; holds the position of secretary to the local Jockey Club, and that he is also a member of the Qaeenstown Borough Council ; (2) if the above statement is correct, does the Minister think it is compatible with properly carrying out his duties for the agent to hold these position?, (c) To ask the Minister of Defence if Major Scully, of Queenstowo, is still in the employ of the Government, and if so, what is the nature of his duties.

PURITY OF PARLIAMENT.

Considerable sensation was created by Mr Fergus giving notice of motion for leave to introduce a bill providing that any person who has been guilty of accepting a bribe while holding any public position shall be permanently excluded from this House, such measure to be called the Purity of Parliaments Bill. PROROGATION V. ADJOURNMENT. -

The principal subject of discussion in the lobbies to-day has been the question : Prorogation versus adjournment;. The Government want to prorogue, for this gives them the power to fix their own time for calling Parliament together again. The Opposition want an adjournment, their argument being that this would avoid the expense of a second session. The Government party reply to this thab they are not to blame for there being two sessions, and that the fault lies with the late Government for summoning Parliament together instead of simply resigning. The feeling of members is decidedly in favour of prorogation, as they will thereby get an additional honorarium of £100, a sum which will be very acceptable to many for wiping off their election expenses. There is some talk of the Opposition proposing that members shall accept £25 only for this session, and receive their full honorarium of £150 for next session. This would require a special act, and ifc is highly improbable that a majority of the members will consent to forego their pound of flesh from a bleeding country. On the other hand, the Opposition say they are determined the country shall be made fully aware of the fact that those very members wbo profess to be so devoted to economy, and who clamour so loudly for further cutting down of public salaries, are determined to cause the heavy and needless expense of a second session in order to extract a second honorariam out of the public pocket, although a simple adjournment would serve every practical purpose. Means will therefore be found to have this question thoroughly discussed in the House.

POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Mr Seddon, Minister of Defence and Mines, gave orders to-day that on and after the Ist of February next, no more goldfield allowances aro to be paid to constables stationed on tbe goldfields. Hitherto this allowance has been Is a day. It seems that this gnldfields allowance was in a great measure the cause of the transfer of constables, they huving been ehiitcu from tho goldfields to other districts as a roundabout method of stopping the goldfielda allowance, their successors* at tho goldfields not receiving this concession. Mr Seddon has decided that the besfc course is to abolish the allowance altogether. In connection with this matter Mr Guinness has given notica to move — " That a return be laid before tho House showing; (1) How many members of the polics force have been removed from tha West Coast counties to other parts of the colony sinca Ist January 1890. (2) What was the cost incurred in making such removals and filling the places of the men removed,"

NEW BILLB.

In addition to Mr Rees' bill to amend " The Native Land Courts Act 1889 " and Mr Taylor'fl Interests of Labour Bill, notice has been given of the following measures, some of them being - old friends : — Mr Richardson, the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors Bill ; Mr W. Hutchison, the Eight Hours Bill; Mr Joyce, the Shop Hours Bill ; Mr Taylor, the Coroners' Inquests Bill ; Mr R. Reeves, " Tbe Gold Duty Abolition Act 1890 Amendment Bill."

NATIVE LAND QUESTION. This afternoon Mr Rees gave notice of a bil to amend " The Native Land Courts Act 1889.' This is in accordance with the decision come to by the meeting of Auckland members which was held yeßterday. The bill consists of two clauses, the first of which extends the time within which applications under the 27th section of the act may be made to the commissioner, apd authorises the appointment of a commission to sit during the recess, interview Maoris and other 3 in different localities, make all necessary inquiries in reference to Native land questions, and report to the House during nexb session, advisiDg as to the besfc means of settling past disputes, and of dealing with Native lands in future. The commission suggested consists of Messrs G. F. Richardson, W. L. Rees, Judge Edwards, Wi Pere, J. Carroll, and Wahanui. The deputation appointed by the meeting yesterday to interview the Premier on the subject will wait on him to-morrow morning.

CONFERENCE ON LABOUR AND CAPITAL.

This afternoon Mr Bees gave notice of his motion about a Pan-Anglican Labour Conference. It is as follows :— " (1) That, in the opinion of this House, the ceaseless conflicts between capital and labour arising in all civilised communities are full of danger to the peace of society. (2) That the time has come when a solution should be found # for the difficult economic questions now existing. (3) That to this end the New Zealand House of Representatives should suggest to the Representative Assemblies of the British colonies, ihe House of Commons, the Representative Houses of the various American States, and the Representative House at Washington, the propriety of appointing delegates to a conference to be held in London or Washington on the relations now subsisting between capital and labour, and of possible remedies thereto and alterations therein."

MISCELLANEOUS.

Tbe desirableness of establishing with New South Wales a reciprocal tariff treaty on colonial products — such as butter, cheese, bacon, &c. — is being urged on the Government by the member for Akaroa. The same member is pressing Ministers to communicate with the Canadian Government, or arrange for an interview with the Canadian Commissioner upon his arrival in the colony, and endeavour to get a terminal point in New Zealand of the proposed CanadianPacific telegraph cable; also to make some inquiries as to the best methods which, if carried into effect, will secure better markets in Europe for New Zealand frozen meat. The Maoris are agitating for larger representation in the Legislative Council, and Mr Taipua has tabled a motion in that direction. Me O'Conor appears to be on a new tack of a socialistic tendency. He is going to move that the maintenance of hospitals and charitable institutions should be provided for by special taxation derived from wealth, and not as at present, principally from the people, through local taxation and the consolidated fund. . Mr W. Hutchison is to move for a return of all lands still in the possession of the State, with fall particulars.