POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7800, 3 September 1903, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

[Feom Our Corrkspondent.] WELLINGTON, September 2. MISCELLANEOUS. " Laud Board?, as at present constituted, are a dumping ground for 'political Support." — Mr A. L. D. Fraser. In order to definitely settle the question of tine width of streets, it is the intention of the Minister of Works to bring down, a j Public Works Act Amendment Bill, which will deal with this much-vexed question. The Minister of Health is of opinion that some action is necessary to protect the public against the rubbish described as patent medicines. He suggests that manufacturers should be compelled to deposit with the State a formula, of the drugs they sell. DUTY ON BRIDGE MATERIALS. In the Httu&e yesterday afternoon, Mr Lang asked whether the Government would remit the duty on bridge material and roadmaking machinery imported by local bodies. The questioner pointed out that the local bodies sometimes, when assisted by the Government in bridge-building, had to pay in duty to the Government more than the • subsidy they received from the Government. The gist of nis argument was that, instead of granting such fictitious aid, the Government should really encourage by remittance of duty the erection of permanent steel structmtes in place of the inferior ones now existing in many parts of the colony. The Minister of Customs, in reply, said that till 1882 there was an exemption in favour of certain materials for iron bridges, and materials specially imported for wharves, jetties and patent slips. A Tariff Bill then brought in removed the exemotaon. The position now was different to that in 1882, as there were now iron, foundries and large timber industries, and somie large iron bridges had' been entirely constructed in the colony, except that the raw material, the iron itself, had been imported. After further dealing with the protectionist aspect the Minister said he could not interfere with the tariff, although he had received applications from several local bodies that roadmaking machinery should be admitted duty free. This sort of machinery was, however, not mianufaofcured in the colony, and he intended submitting to the Cabinet the proposed remission- whenever a Tariff Bill was before Parliament. THE BARMAIDS BILL. In his speech this evening on Mr Ell's Barmaids Abcflition Bill, Mr Graham dragged in the resolution of the Christchurch Women's Christian Temperainc* Union, protesting emphatically against the tone of levity of the House's debate on the Bill a month ago. Mr Graham said tlie resolution had been sent to him as a. circular. The Premier laised a point of order, that outside comsn-ents on a. debate of the House could not be quoted: in the House. The Speaker sustained- the objection, aoid Mr Graham thanked the Premier for having withheld his objection till he. (Mr Graham) could get in the pith of the resolution. The Premier smiled. t