POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16642, 26 January 1922, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

(From Our Corresi'OXßent.] WELLINGTON. January 24. ELECTORAL REFORM. The member for Lyttelton asked the Prime Minister to-day if he will give him an opportunity of moving the second reading of his Proportional Representation and Imbrcved Voting Bill. Mr M’Combs stated fhat this important question should be discussed. His B:l! had been approved by a. conference td New Zealand Proporticnnlists and had been drafted on lines recommended by the British Proportional Representation Society. “I don’t think the hen gentleman is serious in making this request,” answered Air Massey. “ He does not look ir. T shall be glad to take the request, in consideration, bub I cannot hold cut hope of it being acceded to. LEES VALLEY ACCESS. The attention of the Minister of Public Works was called by Mr Forbes today to a letter in “Lyttelton Times,” which supported with important facts the claim of Lees Valley .soidier settlers to have improved means of access, including tho building of a bridge. These men, ho said, were m a, very isolated position and the work was urgently, needed. Mr Wittv supported the request, pointing out that although the Public Works Department had contested the statement that the settlors had to bear heavy expense through lack of a bridge the letter showed that carriers had to charge 30s a ton for cartage, because they sometimes were obliged to leave loads at the river and return empty. The Hon J. G. Coates replied that he had only gone on what his Department had reported to him. He promised. with a view to getting the facts from the viewpoint of this letter, to make further official inquiries.

MOTORS AND ROADS. The Prime Minister must have been in a jocular mood when he told Mr j feidoy, who had asked if the Government intends to proceed with tho Highways Rill and Motor Vehicles Bill this session, that this point had not been decided, as Cabinet had not come to a decision whether the session would bo continued for another month. 'Die reception of this statement shewed that the House believed it to be a joke. Though a stonewall threatened on the retrenchment proposals will certafnl-y acid a few days to the session, members generally hope to complete work in a fortnight. PUBLIC SERVICE CONTROL. The member for Wellington South sought to ascertain whether the report of the Economies Commission advises or suggests that Parliament should hand over control of its own staff, the Legislative Department, to the Public Service Commissioner, and if so whether it is the intention of the Government to adopt such advice. The Prime Minister replied : As lias been already explained the report of the Economies Commission is confidential, but I hope to ask Parliament next session to deal with an amendment of the Public Service Act in the direction of remedying some of the anomalies which at present exist. LAND VALUATIONS AND PROFITS In a question to the Prime Minister, Mr Field urged periodical readjustment of rural land values to synchronise* as nearly as possible with changes in current values of stock and produce. I Mr Massey replied that the difficulty arising out. of the present financial stringency and the low prices for stock and produce which have led up to it will be considered during the recess i oiid iP necessary, amending legislation will be laid before Parliament during next session. WHEAT BROKERAGE. Air Statham has been informed by the Minister of Agriculture that brok- , •era-go on sales of wheat was increased : by l£d per bushel last season. I’he brokerage to be paid on the coming j season’s crop is at present under con- ' sideratjon. Ho denies that in any tele- ! gram from the Wheat Controller ad- j vising that last year’s additional bonus was to be paid to Government brokers tor the year ending February 28 last the VC heat Controller used tho words, j ‘ ‘ Inform your members as quietly as ! possible.”