POLITICAL JOTTINGS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10657, 4 July 1896, Page 2

POLITICAL JOTTINGS.

CONTEMPORARY OPINIONS.*

A deputation from the Wellington Benevolent Trustees • waited on the Premier on Thursday night to urge upon him the necessity of setting up State pawnshops. The Rev Van Staveren (ohairman) said they had viewed with great pleasure the introduction by the Premier of the Usury Prevention Bill, and trusted he would carry it into effect this session, but they thought the measure would not be complete unless a clause was introduced in it by which a Slate pawnshop should be constituted. The cost would not be more than £20,000, and the charge of 12 per cent would provide sufficient funds to cover expenses and would be far better than the eighty per cent tho poor now had to pay. The I Premier said in reply that the representation of the deputation would receive the fullest consideration. Ho believed the proposal had a good deal of good in it for poor people, and that it wonld be in their interests, he would make provision foi second-hand dealers' in a Bill which was being introduced, and prevent them acting as pawnbrokers without a license, j x.x x x The Premier informed Sir Robert Stout yesterday that it was not consistent with the dignity of Ministers that they should publish an account of their incomings and outgoings, like ordinary clerks. Besides, Ministers frequently had to work, and did work, all night, and: that compensated for their absences from Wellington. Further, ifc was not necessary Ministers should remain in Wellington, and, in fact, it was quite necessary they should be out of Wellington, to see how matters were going on.