WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6073, 10 January 1898, Page 2

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

TFbo_ Our Correspondent.] " WELLINGTON, Jan. 9. THE POLICE COMMISSION. Nothing of a definite nature oan be learned from Ministers respecting the scope and constitution of the proposed Royal Commission to inquire into the condition of the police force of the colony. One Minister informed me that there was nothing that could yet be made public, and it is understood that the delay in setting up the Commission is consequent on the difficulty experienced in securing suitable men to act as commissioners. It is probable that the Couimission will be set up towards the end of the present month. MASTEP. AND APPRENTICE. At a recent meeting of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council a. letter was received from Sir Robert Stout, iv reply to one from tbe Council commenting on his attitude towards the Master and Apprentice Bill. In his letter Sir Robert says that' if the Arbitration Court is •to settle every tlu'ng in relation to the employment of young persons, a Master and i Apprentice Bill is unnecessary. He further on asserts that the Premier, in giving evidence before the Labour Bills Committee of the Council, did not deny that the effect of the Bill, if passed, would be that thousands would be thrown out' of employment. As a further effect Of the proposed legislation, Sir Robert considers that employers would demand premiums from apprentices, and says:— "Just as there aro more applicants for apprenticeships than there are vacancies, those who have the filling up of the posts will claim a premium, and if apprentices have to be bound for a term of years and to receive a fixed wage, terms, &c, being settled by an Act of Parliament or an arbitration court, the, premium willbe high.- This would inevitably lead tothe Children of th 6 poorer classes being denied a chance of learning in their native country the more highly-paid trades. Ido not wish to see this happen, and hence protested against the Bill." In concluding, he admits that there are many difficulties to solve and abuses to remedy in connection with the employment of young persons in industries, but the remedy proposed in the Bill, he believes, would lead to great evils. The Council decided tc send the following reply t6 Sir Robert Stout: — "The workers of the colony, must be considered the best judges of what is best for themselves and their children ; also, the Council regrets that Sir Robert Stout's sympathies have in late years been alienated from the work of social and political reform which characterised his earlier career." THE MINISTER OF LANDS. The latest reports concerning the state of the Hon* J. M'Kenzie's health are of a reassuring nature,, and he is daily improving, though further rest and quiet are necessary. He i 3 not expected to jreturn to Wellington till next month. ' MAILS TO KAIKOURA. The Postmaster-General informs me that the request for a mail twice a week to Kaikoura from Christchurch is still under consideration.

It is intended to entertain Mr Ben Tillett at a farewell social gathering in Dunedin prior to his departure for thn Old Country. A meeting of delegates of labour bodies was held at the Trades Hall on Friday night to discuss the matter, and a strong committee was formed to make the necessary arrangements in connection with the gathering.