POLITICAL

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 44, 6 October 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL

NOTES BY THE WAY. The Minister of Public Health states that a scheme of medical inspection of school children has been prepared by the department, and was considered at the recent conference of Hospital Boards. It is intended that dental examination shall be embodied as a prominent feature of any system of inspection which may bo put into operation. While admitting that the Agricultural Department lias done considerable service to the farmers of Taranaki in stamping out blackleg, Mr. Okey suggested the lessoning of re strictions upon the removal of cattle. The Minister of Agriculture leplied: “All that is now necessary to enable cattle to be removed from the prescribed district is that they he b--noculated and branded by an inspector at least seven days beforehand, and a permit granted, ft would lie against the interests of the rest of .New Zealand to remove these restrictions at present.” The census returns for a portion of the Cook group has come to hand, showing a total population of 8049 in tiie Cook and other annexed Pacific Islands (excluding Nine, Palmerston, and Puka Puka). There are 787 S natives and 171 British-born and foreigners. Taking the former figures for the islands, in regard to which there is no information, the Government Statistician estimates the total population at 12,338, as against 12,310 in 1906. The enumerators endeavoured to secure details regarding the crops, but were unsuccessful in all the islands owing to-the native indifference to accuracy in figures and more than a suspicion that the information was to be used for future taxation.

Asked if negotiations for a reciprocal tariff between New Zealand and Australia have boon entered into, the Prime Minister informs Mr. McLaren that ho has received no communication from the Prime Minister of Australia regarding the matter. ‘T should Ije exceeding glad to enter into negotiations for the establishment of a reciprocal tariff between Australia and New Zealand on mutually fair lines,” adds Sir Joseph War.d A reduction in tho import duty on Australian wines was suggested by Sir Arthur Guinness, who was informed by the Government that this would be considered if negotiations take place between this Government and the Government of the Commonwealth in reference to reciprocal trade relations being established with Australia on similar lines to those existing between New Zealand and South Africa.

The Government declines to give the permission, asked for by Mr. Milford, that Claude Paget, at present confined in gaol, should be allowed to petition Parliament direct, instead of being compelled to petition the Minister of Justice only. The Minister of Justice states that Paget was convicted at itlie Supremo Court at Wellington, in May, 1907, of murder, and sentenced to death. The death sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life, and he had now served a little over four years. “Unless it can be shown that the prisoner’s case has not received proper consideration at tho hands of the Executive Government,” adds the Minister, “I think it would be inadvisable to grant permission to petition Parliament. 1 may add that in New Zealand the Royal prerogative of mercy is exercised by His Excellency, the Governor on'the .recommendation of his ■Ministers, and that .every case receives the most careful and patient consideration.”