THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 33

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

In reply to a question, the PREMIER said he had replied to the communication from the Premier of Tasmania asking that Mr Seddon join with the other Premiers in sending to the Secretary of State for the Colonies a cable congratulating the Government on the success of our arms in South Africa, with a view to influencing the elections in Britain in favour of the Conservative party. Mr Seddon said he had replied, stating that he thought it out of place to interfere in the matter, and that he had already congratulated Lord Roberts on the success of our arms. IN COMMITTEE. In committee on the Land and Income Assessment Bill, The interpretation clause was postponed. An amendment was made to clause 33 defining an absentee as a person who is ab&ent from the colony one instead of three years. A number of new machinery clauses were ad dec! . In clause 2to, Mr WILFORD moved to omit the words "with the leave of the President of the Court " in reference to granting appeal? .• — Carried by 16 to 13. The bill was leported with amendments, read a thiid time, and passed. THE ELECTORAL LAW. The Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which has been introduced by the Colonial Secretary, makes provision for the complete registration of electors and removes the disabilities arising out of temporary absence from the colony, such as debared Messrs J. H. Witheford and T. Mackenzie from candidature at the last general election. The issue of mock ballot papers is to be prohibited. Where less than 50 votes are ca.st ballot papers not to be opened and counted tilL they reach the main polling booth. In future no person will be permitted to occupy the dual position of returning officer and registrar. SOUTH SEA TRADE. At a meeting of the Extension of Commerce Parliamentary Committee, Mr Coleman Phillips addressed the committee upon the advisability of starting a steam line, running from Auckland to Norfolk I&land, New Caledonia, the New Hebrides, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Manila, Hongkong, and back, via Spigon, Labuan, Sarawak (alternating with Singapore), Batavia, Thursday Island, Noumea, and Auckland. Mr Phillips pointed to the steam lines now running and paying well to Fiji, Samoa, and Rorotonga and Tahiti, which, he said, it had taken him years of quiet persistency to get established, ' and the present suggested line would pay quite a& well with as fair a share of Government assistance from Mr Seddon as Sir John Hall and Sir F. Whitaker had formerly given. NATIVE LAND LEGISLATION. ' This evening the Premier gave notice of another Native Land Administration Bil 1 . This. I understand, is the bill of 1899, as it passed through the Native Affairs Committee, with a few amendments in accordance with the wishes of the Waikato Natives. It seems that the first bill on the lines of the 1898 bill will not now be proceeded with. The Waikatos are pleaded at the latest development, but some of the other Natives object to the change, though there is no difference in principle between the two measures, and it is very doubtful whether either bill will pass this session. COOK ISLANDS. A paper laid on the table to-night gives the estimated revenue of the Cook Islands for tbe year ending 30th June, 1901, as £3486 18s. This is made up as follows :— Surplus from the year ending June, 1900, £976 18s ; customs duties. £1500; post office, £300: shipping fees. £20 ; trade licenses, £200 ; liquor dues, £200 ; hioh court fees and fines, £70 ; arikis' comts, £180; and rents, £40. The expenditure is put down at £2724.