PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11056, 23 August 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(From our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. PENALTY OF HOSPITALITY.' During the recent trip of a number of members of Parliament up tlie North Island Main Trunk railway, lhe guests were almost lavishly banqueted at Tailmarunui and Raetahi, and at both places it is understood alcoholic liquors were supplied. It now appears that both these places being m the King Country (Rohe potae) no liquor must be taken there, and those who provided the refreshments are, it is stated, to be prosecuted for a breach of the law, and those members who were present are to be called as witnesses. GISBORNE'E TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION. Sir Joseph Ward, replying to a communication from Mr Ngata, m reference to the necessity for the erection of a telegraphic line between Morere and Wharerata, m order to provide an alternative I'bute between Napier and Gisborne, writes confirming his reply on the order paper that authority has been issued for the erection of the desired line between Morere and Wharerata. As explained m that reply, the MotuOpotiki alternative route would not be of the same service as the one decided on. f THE KIA ORA WRECK. A good deal of interest was aroused not only m shipping circles, but amongst the general public, m the enquiry into the wreck of the steamer Kia Ora, near Kawhia, recently. It will be remembered that some startling allegations were made m regard to the condition of the mate, De Wolfe. The Court, whilst of opinion that the evidence did not justify them, in finding that the loss of the vessel was caused by the wrongful act or default of De Wolfe, , but under tection 239 of the Act, which provides that if the Minister has any reason to believe that any master, mate, or engineer is from incompetency or "misconduct unfit to discharge, his duties, etc., may cause an inquiry, to be held by the Court, the Court accordingly referred the question of De. Wolfe's certificate to the Minister for Marine. The Hon: Mr Millar, after careful inquiry into the whole of the circumstances, has decided to do nothing further m regard to De Wolfe's certificate. BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. A few days ago reference was made to the persistence the member for Christchurch East (Mr EH) is showing m regard to the Bank of New Zealand. What transpired m the House on Wednesday is apparently only the prelude to an active campaign m favor of the State taking over that instituion. It is now announced that Mr Ell has arranged a deputation to wait on the Premier. He explained his first aims at putting the public shareholders of the Bank on the same footing as private shareholders m regard to. dividends, public shareholders' dividends being limited to 10 per cent, wbile private shareholders may receive 25 per cent. Mr. Ell next proposes to fix a maximum, dividend, *m similar fashion to that provided m the case of public lighting companies, and he hopes eventually to see the State take the Bank of New Zealand under its control. In his proposals to improve the status of the Bank's public shareholders, Mr Ell is supported^ by the following members of the House : ' Hon. . Duncan, Messrs Hogan, Hogg, Hornsby, Poland, E. G. Allen, Hanan, Poole, Laurenson, Barclay, Dillon, Flatman, Remington, nold, Lawry Macpherson, Thomson, Stallworthy, Seddon, Jennings, Buddo, Witty, Davey, Symes, Wood, Tanner, Ross, Ngata, and Field. „ HARBOR BUILDINGS. Several hours were spent by t,he House of Representatives yesterday m considering the Waitara Harbor Bill m Committee. The Bill proposes to cut a certain area out of the New Plymouth harbor district and constitute a separate area for the purpose of forming a hew harbor at Waitara, which reckonsi it has such a large export of dairy produce and . such material advantages that it would be a pity not to build a harbor at that spot. The New Plymouth Harbor Board, on tha other hand, views the project with manifest disfavor. "One Taranaki, one harbor" is its motto, and as Opunake is also promoting a Harbor Board Bill it reckons that it ought not to be disintegrated to such an extent. Besides, -'the Board argues, how about the foreign bond holders. They have lent about £200,000. 0n-the-security -ofthe rating power of a certain area, and if that area is to bo curtailed m the manner proposed they may have something to say. At any rate tbe House did not appear to be greatly impressed with the arguments of the opponents of the measure, and the Bill parsed its committee stage without material amend, ment. A SHARP RETORT. The Leader of the Opposition sought to score off the Hon. J., Carroll last night on the Waitara Harbor Empowering Bill. This measure seeks to separate Waitara from the Now Plymouth harbor voting area. It was m charge of Mr Okey, who stonewalled the Bill m the interests of New Plymouth, and the Opposition stood by him hour after hour m the blockage of the Bill. Mr Massey at 7.30 aimed a shot at Mr Carroll, who wa s supporting, though sileritly, Mr Jennings, the latter being m charge of the Bill. The Leader of the Opposition, pointing to the Native Minister/said he would be found supporting Waiapu 's claim to be executed from the Gisborne Harbor Board's Enabling Bill, which Mr Carroll has on the stocks. Sir Joseph Ward stepped into, the breach. I am sure," ho said, "it will be highly satisfactory to my colleague to flnd the Leader of the Opposition voting m the same lobby. The Native Minister, when the other Bill comes down, will do that which his intelligence dictates as the right thing." JOTTINGS. Tlie Apiaries Bill was put through third re iw n 8 lasfc n »ght without discussion. lie Polioe -Offences Amendment Bill for the regulation of boxing was committed. A number of amendments were effected. Te Kooti, who cost the country a million of money and many lives, was the worst tohunga the colony has had to deal with.— Hon. S. T. George. The expenditure on Giaboroe scliool last year was ( Salaries £2178, ordinary expenditure and repairs £4862, rents £240. Kaiti. New buildings £1022.