POLITICAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 8, 25 August 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL.

NATIVES AND RATES. An allegation made in Auckland that the Native Minister had always resolutely, declined to give his sanction, required by the Rating Act, 1894, to the prosecution of any judgment obtained against a native Dy a local body, and that the Act of 1910 was rendered useless by the practice of legal tribunals insisting on the service of notices of judgment on every m\tivo owner, irrespective of their numbers and scattered places of residence, was brought under tiie Native Minister’s notice by Mr. W. H. Field. A reply lias been received from Sir James Carroll that these statements are contrary to fact. As theRating Act, 1910, only came into operation as from December 3rd last, it could not have been used in the manner suggested by the latter part of the question, and it is certainly somewhat premature to condemn this Act (no local body having possibly struck a rate) before an opportunity has been given for carrying out its provisions.

THE PRESS ASSOCIATION

The Government declines to set up a committee this session to enquire into Press Association methods. “If any such committee is set up,” states the Acting-Pi-imo Minister, “it is quite certain that an exiormous quantity of debatable matter will be brought forward—such, for example, as the entrance fee charged to country papers, the relations of the Association with the Australian Associatioxx, tlxe failure to send news by the Pacific cable, copyright of cable news, etc. Wo are already losing a large sum annually on the distribution of press news, and the giving of any further concessions would increase the already considerable loss on the telegraph branch of the service. In any case, t;xe question will be very carefully considered.”

WOMEN IN FACTORIES. The percentage of women to men at work in New Zealand factox-ies is lower now than it has been for sixteen years. The records of the Labour De- 1 partment show a steady decrease from 26.5 per cent, in 1896 to 22 per cent, in 19il. Since 1907 the women workers liave been decreasing not only in percentage, but in numbers. In 1905, they totalled 17,732; in 1909, 18,003; in 1910, 17,627; and last year 17,387. Last year there were 78,790 factory workers in New Zealand, of whom 61,403- wore men and 17,387 women.

CUSTOMS FREE LIST. During the recess, according to a Ministerial answer, to one of Mr. Ell’s questions, the Government will consider a revision of the tariff in the direction of placing on the freo list articles in general household use. Those specified in Mr. Ell’s-question wore : :_China and earthen domestic tableware, combs, floorcloth and oilcloth, glassware, cast-iron and enamel hollowwafe, kerosene lamps, hints and matting, watches (not cxceeding_ £4 in value), clocks (xxot exceeding £5 in value), forks, spoons, and knives (not exceeding £1 per dozen in value), tobacco (not exceeding Is 6d per pound invoiced value, Is less duty).

NOTES. The matter of regulating or restricting by legislation the free use of mo-tor-cars for the conveyance of electors on polling clay is under consideration, but it is not proposed to amend the electoral law in that direction this session, states the Government in reply to Mr. W. H. Field. _ 'The date for receiving competitive designs for the proposed new Parliamentary Buildings does not expire until the 31st of this month, after which, the designs will be submitted to an assessor to make the awards. It will probably be a month or more before the selected design can be laid before Parliament. ■ In the absence of suitable legislation it is questionable whether the engagement at present of a tow nplanning export would bo justified. The matter will, however, receive the careful consideration of the Government, states the Hon. Geo. Fowlcls. The Government has been considering the question of establishing periodical efficiency tests in connection with certain classes of work in the railway service, in order that efficiency and merit may be properly recognised in the matter of promotion and remuneration. The Government has informed Mr. McLaren that enquiries are being made into the allegations that a system of indent or contract labour importation is being practised in the Dominion, under which coloured boys are being imported from the Islands for domestic service. If it is found that the importation of this class of labour is likely to detrimentally affect New Zealand workers, steps will be taken with a view to stopping the practice. The question of serving summonses by post has been considered on several occasions, but no practinv do solution of the difficulty has been found. The Minister of Justice will have the matter looked into again, as ho is aware that the mileage f’ urges in some districts are wry heavy. In the House on Wednesday Mr. Hine moved that there bo laid before the House a return showing— (1) fhe names of all persons appointed as Justices of the Peace during the years ended 31st March, 1910 and 1911 respectively ; (2) the names of all persons recommended for the position of Justice of the Peace during the sameperiod, but not appointed; and («) the names of all persons who recommended any one for appointment. In the House on Wednesday, Mr. J B Hine asked the following ques-tions-—Whether sufficient money will lie placed on the Estimates tins-ses-sion for expenditure on the Maico Road, Whangamomona, so that the settlers who are now isolated may have access to their holdings; or, failing the practicabality of road formation, will ho recommend 1 arhament to take such steps as will facilitate a fair exchange of Crown lands that aic accessible for the holdings of the sottiers interested? The Minister for Public Works replied that the question of making provision for this load will be considered when the 1 üblic Works Estimates for the current year are being framed.—Whether the Act-ing-Postmaster-General will nuthouse direct connection by telephone between Tariki and Inglewood ? Hie Acti ng-Postm astcr-G enera 1 replied that enquiries will be made this matter, which will receive consideration.