POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8055, 6 July 1904, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

[Fkom Our Cohrespondent.]

WELLINGTON, July 6. THE SPEAKERSHIP.

Sir A. J. Cadman's election as Speaker of the Legislative Council, to-morrow, seems to be regarded as tolerably certain, though the Hon G. M'Lean will have considerable support. The Hon H. J. Reeves will prove a thorn in the side of the Hon J. Rigg for the Chairmanship of Committees, which will be decided in the afternoon.

THE WHIP

Messrs Fraser (Napier) and Kidd (Auckland) are mentioned in connection with the vacant Ministerial Whipship.

MISCELLANEOUS

Questions can 'only be answered on Tuesdays, under the amended standing orders of last session. The^ following are the principal replies given: — -

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Under the first schedule of the Public School Teachers' Salaries Act as much as £35 might 'be added to the salary of a second assistant. .The average attendance is the foundation of the present scale of staffs and salaries. Education Boards had not represented that any chan<*e was deeir able (Mr Millar).

The matter of adjusting single city electorates had not been lost sight of. The governor would doubtless direct the commissioners to take action, and arrange the boundaries (Mr Davey). A Bill would be introduced, the object of which was to prevent the- existence of monopolies such as the Tobacco Trust and other combines. Government was aware of some of the methods adopted by the American Tobacco Trust, and would be pleased to receive any information that would be of advantage to Parliament. The Tobacco Trust had asked Government for an interview, which would be granted. It was only reasonable that both sides of the question snould be fairly put before the House (Mi Wilford).

A circular on the subject of amending thu regulations affecting) free secondary education ihy striking out the age. limit of fourteen years had been sent to governing bodies of secondary schools. On receipt of replies fcbe question would again bo taken into consideration (Mr T. Mackenzie). It had generally been the custom that after the iNew Year holidays authorities had been issued for the expenditure of the public works votes. This year it was hoped tnat authorities would be issued at the end of November, to enable the votes to be expended during summer (Mr Buchanan). To preserve the trade of the navy with the colony every effort would be made to let the navy have such coal as may be required from the State mines. (Mr Davey). The duty on flour was a shilling per cental. The Premier inclined to think that the abolishing of the duty would result in the premanenfc importation of flour. The present duty was evidently insufficient to keep out imports when the local price was high, ; but its entire abolishment would probably result in strong competition with New Zealand millers finder normal conditions, and be a detriment tc farmers. (Mr Hogg).

The machinery which controlled the sale of poisons was defective. Several regrettable accidents had taken place, and it was the duty of the Government . to see that the general public were not permitted too many opportunities for obtaining poisons wherewith they might harm themselves. Government must be careful not to •uof airly tamper with the operations of manufacturers and dealers in such articles as sheep dip containing arsenic. After the report to be furnished by the Chief Health Officer the > Minister would further consider the matter (Mr Arnold).

At first sight, ■Dr Hatherley's remarks regarding grave surgical operations being performed almost daily, without proper safeguards, seemed to "indicate a condition of things to justify some inquiry being made. The safeguards Dr Hatherley considers essential are those which come of a consultation with a physician. He wae simply rebuking his brother practitioners for what he considers undue haste in deciding on some operative procedure. It would be difficult for any Government to step in to prescribe what course a surgeon should follow in respect to any particular patient (Mt> Ell). The' matter of shortening the (hours of work and increasing the wages of attendants in asylums was under consideration (Mr Fowldfe). ;

A Pure Food Bill was in course of preparation (Mr Hanan).

An effort, would he made in the direction of passing homestead conditions this session (Mr Witbeford).

The lowest quotation in the colony for sword bags far cadet coi.ps was 9s 6d each", and they were obtained at .Home for 2s Id. A further supply of pouches ■would be required shortly, and if local prices were any thing near those paid for the 'imported' articles preference would be given to New Zealand-made pouches (Mr Witfceford).

The Government was of opinion that the conveyance of children in outlying districts to central ' schools would be likely to give better results in respect both of efficiency and economy than the establishment of separate schools in small centres of population. The addition of the children to the roll of the central school costs less, even with the expense of conveyance added, than it' does to provide small separate schools, and the children were benefited by being under the 'instruction of a larger and better qualified staff. The Government would rather make a trial of this system than increase facilities for stablishing small isolated schools. A circular on 'jhe subject had just been issued to Education Boards (Mr Mackenzie). 1

No complaint had reached the Department respecting the new syllabus, and it seemed too eariy for a further rev *von (Mr Hanan).

A home for the car© and training of mentally deficient children at Richmond, Nelson, would he ready for occupation by the end of the year (Mr Ell).

In reply to. other questions, the Government said- it was not prepared to take action in Professor Bickerton's theory of impact. Government had informed Professor Bickerton of this on (March 8.

In regard to the acquirement of land forsettlement on Banks Peninsula, Government had inspected' many properties, but negotiations to acquire voluntarily had been, futile.

It was not considered necessary toeextend the platform of shelter at Christchurch Railway Station, and it wes not considered necessary to have a man with a light placedat Clarence Road crossing at Aldington. The did not see its way to allow the new expresses to stop at Mor.ven. The rebuilding of the Christchurch police barracks and the renovations of the Courthouse- would receive attention -when th« Estimates were being framed.