POLITICAL ITEMS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 15160, 2 October 1913, Page 7

POLITICAL ITEMS.

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

COMING DOWN THIS - MONTH.

(FflOM Ouß SPEOUt Courespondbnt.j

"WELLINGTON,. Oct. 1. Sir Joseph Ward to-day inquired when the Public Works Statement would bo brought down. In reply tho Hon. W. Fnaser said that he had now got % the Statement nearly prepared, but printing and revision would take nearly three weeks. As in the ordinary course be had told the House some time ago that "be did not think the Statement would be brought down before the end of October. He now hoped to be able to produce it,before then. Mr Forbes: "We can get home after it is down." —(Laughter.) Mr Fraser: "Exactly. That's the troubte. You will go home and the work won't be done." Mr Witty: ' 'Never f fear. We will stand by." CHINESE FURNITURE. Pe» Press Association. WELLINGTON,, Oct. 1. Replying to a question in the House this afternoon, the Minister' for Custome stated that it was not practicable to discriminate between furniture made by Chinese in Australia and that made by British labour. As a rule ture made by Chinese would not be 'exported by such Chinese, but through a Chinese merchant; The rates ol duty on wicker and rattan ware would be considered by the House when the tariff schedules were brought down. CHILDREN'S TRAIN FARES. Although a return of. just over 4 per cent, on the capital invested was paid by the railways during last financial year, the cost of operating, the Minister stated, had an upward tendency, and in view of the Increases that had to be made in tho wages of ;fche railway staff, it was not considered desirable to diminish the' revenue at present by reducing fares and freights, and'increasing the' age at which, children are carried free would involve the loss of a -very considerable amount of revenue. In -those circumstances 'he was unable to give a favourable answer.