POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7154, 19 July 1901, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

EFabu Oto. Correspondent.] .v WELLINOTON, July 19. THE REFERENDUM. -

'in opposing the proposal before the Hpuie to-day for allowing votes in a referendum to be cast through the post, the P. :mier alluded to the Christchurch by'electipn, stating that ten thousand electors had* "failed to record their, votes. These people did not care a fig themselves for the election,, (but if voting through the post were permitted, some interested personswpiildhaye exercised their right to vote.

COMMANDEERING TRANSPORTS. despatches from the Secretary of ■■ State for the Colonies, which were laid on the table of the House this morning, show that: the^ Admiralty did not approve of Mr Seddon's suggestion that colonial Governments should be empowered, by legislation if necessary, to commandeer vessels of the -British mercantile marine for use as troopships,' should occasion arise. Experience has: shown that suitable vessels can be obtained without interfering with the freedom of contract, and the proposal to commandeer appears to the Lords of the Admiralty to bp impracticable. In their opinion/ it would be much better to seize a ship- and compensate her owners, when special emergency arises, than to legalise such a high-handed action as commandeering in anticipation of emergency.

RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUES.

The Rating, on Unimproved Values -Act Amendment Bill. ■was circulated this mprn■*a'ls;. ft provides that in future ail rates shall be made on the uflimprcyvprj- value- of land, as defined in the Government Valuation Land Act Amendment Act, 1900. This, however,, will not apply to the rates mentioned in '-.Section 20 of the principal Act (water, gas, electric light, sewage, hospital and charitable aid), unless the- local authority, so decides by special order.