MINISTERS' TRAVELLING ALLOWANCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2004, 21 July 1892, Page 17

MINISTERS' TRAVELLING ALLOWANCES.

Mr Fisher's return, which he told the House he compiled from unofficial sources, btates that during their 18 months' term of office Minibters and their private secretaries drew L 554-7, of which amount he puts down L 2503 as allowances drawn by Ministers, although only entitled by the act to draw LISOO. After comparing the amounts of travelling expenses and allowances drawn by the present Government with those of previous Ministers, Mr Fisher's return points out that in 1879-81-, with the salary of L 1250 and travelling expenses of L 2 2s, a Minister cost the country LI4OO per annum. In 1891-92, with a salary at LIOOO (including L2OO " for house allowance) and travelling LI 10s a day, a Minister costs the country L 2163 per annum. GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL. Colonel Eraser's Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill provides that it shall not be unlawful for any lotteries or sweepstakes on an event to be conducted and determined in public in respect of which the contributors do not exceed 20s each, subject as follows : — No lottery or sweepstake shall be used or conducted except by such persons as the Colonial Secretary shall from time to time license for that purpose ; every person licensed to use or conduct a lottery or sweepstake shall deposit with the Public Trustee a bond or guarantee to the amount of LSOOO ; all tickets issued shall bear a stamp ; the license fee shall be L 25, and shall bo paid to the local -body of the district where the licensee has his principal place of business. The bill also provides that it shall not be lawful for any racing club, trotting club, committee, or association holding a license for the use of the totalisator, to deduct by way of commission, expenses, or stamp duty, or otherwise, on any pretext whatever, a greater amount than a sum calculated at the rate of 10 per cent, upon the gross takings of such totalisator on each and every separate use thereof. OYSTER FISHERIES. The Oyster Fisheries Bill, as reported from the committee of the whole House, has not been materially altered. The clause relating to the export duty on oysters now reads: — " On and after the day of the commencement of this act there shall be levied, collecte.d, and paid to her Majesty at the customs in manner as provided in 'The Customs Laws Consolidation Act 1382 ' upon oysters in their natural state in the shell, previous to their exportation from New Zealand, a duty at such rate, not to exceed Is the cwt, as the Governor by Order-in-Council may prescribe from time to time." The following new clause has been added: — "The Governor may, by Order-in-Council, from time to time declare any bay, or portion of a bay, estuary, or tidal water in the colony, in the vicinity of any Native pa or village, to be an oyster fishery where Natives exclusively may take oysters for their own food at all times irrespective of any of the provisions of this act, and may from time to time rescind the same and prescribe regulations for preventing the sale by Natives of any oysters from such beds, and for protecting any such bajr, estuary, or tidal waters from trespassers and the oysters therein from destruction." The words providing that the act shall come into operation on October 1892 have been struck out. A BORROWING POLICY. I learn there is uu underground agitation cm !

foot to force on a borrowing policy so as ; » provide the necessary funds for the completion of the Otago Central and other railway works in different parts of the colony. The movement is at present confined to Otago and Canterbury, but .if there is the slightest encouragement shown in other quarters it will be extended beyond its present limits. The movement is only in its embryonic stage, but ifc requires to be carefully watched, as it is ahnosb certain to grow if public opinion should remain indifferent about it. DEMAND FOR LAND. In the course of his speech on Friday night Mr Ward, the Postmaster-general, stated that a gentleman had recently offered to purchase 2000 acres of land in the south at LlO an acre, which was more than the assessed value'of tho land ; but his offer has been refused, although he was prepared to pay cash. He was now, Mr Ward said, in the Hawke's Bay district looking for land. A gentleman from Napier who by reason of his position is well qualified to speak on the subject informs me that he does not remember the time when there was bo much •demand for land on the East Coast as there is at present. He attributes this to the vast extension of the frozen mutton industry. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. Tho debate on the Financial Statement promises to be a long, dreary performance. On Friday night, even, it began to drag painfully, and Mr Guinness, who was put up by the Government to reply to Mr G. Hutchison's damaging criticisms, spoke to empty galleries and a very thin House. It is stated that the debate will in all likelihood extend over a fortnight. THE LAND BILL. The measure which is likely to give rise to the keenest party debate of the session is the Land Bill. The motion for tho second reading comes on after the debate on tho Financial Statement has been disposed of, that is some time next month. The discussion is likely to be a somewhat protracted one. The measure will then be referred to the Waste Lands Committee, who are not expected to report upon it under a week. There is at present very strong Opposition to the bill as printed, and it will depend on the attitude which the Minister in charge of it may assume in regard to the objections which are raised against it even among the supporters of the Government whether tho measure will, as many believe,- lead to a crisis. I am informed, .however, that while Mr M'Keuzio will be willing to accept amendments which do, not materially affect the principle of the bill, he will refuse absolutely to have tho three tenures as set forth ill his bill altered. In that case, to use a homely expression, "tho fat will be in the fire." LABOUR COUNCILLORS. The Labour members continue to bo much exercised over tho vexed question of* the appointments of Labour members to the Upper Chamber, and I believe that there is a good deal of quiet wire-pulling going on in connection with the matter. It was at one time expected that Mr Pinkerton would be called to the Legislative Council, but as it at onco became evident that this would lead to ruilled feelings among some of the other members the idea was abandoned, and Mr W. M. Bolt was generally regarded as the representative who would be appointed from Dunedin. It BQems, however, that the Trades and Labour Council in that city have ignored Mr Bolt and selected three names to be submitted to tho Premier ; they are those of Messrs Judge, Slater, and Millar, all members of the council — tho lastnamed being the same individual who came into buch prominence during the maritime strike.