POLITICAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 26, 15 September 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL.

THE CHALMERS SEAT. (Per Press Association.) Dunedin, September 14. A requisition asking the Hon. T. Mackenzie to stand for the Chalmers seat is being circulated in the Brighton end of the electorate. NOTES BY THE WAY. Enquiries are to be made by the Government to determine if there is any need for continuing the restriction upon Maoris obtaining ammunition. i The matter of empowering local bodies to undertake the maintenance and control of the badly kept and narrow thoroughfares in some of the cities known as “private streets” is being considered, but the Government cannot promise Mr. Herdman legislation this session. At the request of a number of members of Parliament the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) communicated with the Boundary Commissioners to find out the procedure to he followed in making objections to the provisional electoral boundaries. He received a - reply yesterday that the Commission will not receive any deputation. Written petitions only will ho considered.

Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M., in dealing with a shin nine case at the Magistrate’s Court, Christchurch, declared: •‘There is a growing tendency in these days for shipping companies to unduly protect themselves at their passengers’ risk.” This was brought under the Government’s notice by Mr. Forbes, who suggested that there should be an enquiry with a view to protecting the rights of the travelling public. The question as to whether there should bo further legislation to deal witli similar cases is now under Consideration by the Government, says the “N.Z. Times.” An endeavour is being made bv the Minister of Agriculture to facilitate the importation of New Zealand potatoes into Australia. At present there is considerable difficulty. The latest Australian regulations do not palace an absolute embargo upon New Zealand potatoes, but provide that they must be accompanied by a certificate to the effect that they arc free from disease and have been grown on land that has been free from it for at least a year. “Our officers,” he states, “cannot in most cases give such an assurance. The Commonwealth Government will be asked to accent a certificate that our inspectors have thoroughly examined ten per cent, ot each consignment and found it tree from disease,’