POLITICAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5966, 3 August 1912, Page 4

POLITICAL.

PROTECTION OF OPOSSUM*,'.. The member for the Clutha (Br A, '' S. Malcolm) has urged the Minister ! of Internal Affairs to remove r.stric- ' tions upon tta killing 0 f opossum* < a«t upon the sale of their skins. He ■ baa, received a reply, in which the ; Hon. H. D. Bell states that he is , P"W«>. adyiae the Government, il to at cmce remove gji: protecfem It

| frc*o opossums in the South Island I unless the AcclinJatisation"' Society ! can show that this courso would be injurious. 'Begulations will be amended as soon as possible after the supporters of the protection have had an opportunity of being hoard. LABOUR REPKESMTATIVES. A declaration from the Invercargill branch of the Labour party, that sitting tnomibers of the Liberal p-arty would not be acceptable to the Lab* our party, is criticised by Mr \ citch, Labour member foir .Waiiganui. He remarked to a peper representative : " From my point of view it is utter mildness for the Labour parte to attempt to adopt such » po icy. A* a matter of iact, it is the United Labour party's policy to attract as many sitting members to their ranks as will become members of the party." Mr Davey, the member for Christchurch East, spc-ke in e v eni stronger terms. He said : " In no sense, whntever, verbally or in wtiting, have I approaeh-xl the Labour party. I look upon the Invercargill resolution as a piece of gross impertinence. I propose to carry out m|y pledges in their entirety. Whilst doing all I can for labour, I have not made the slightest attempt to join the party." ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS., In the courso of answers to questions from members on Wednesday by various Ministers, ai number of incidental references were made to the Government's intentions in several directions. The policy of the .Government in regard to cottage farms will be set forth in the Finauoial Statement. a"d dealt (with by legislation to 'be introduced this session. Tho whole subject of the organisation of the Service and the status of Civil servants is under the consideration of the Government. Mr Witty elioitcd from the Prime Minister that the Government are favourable to a continuance, of the guarantee of Id per It) 01 fruit exported to Great Britain. The Government, stated the I'nme Minister, expected that with the reorganisation of the High t onionissioner's Department more wiill be done to' bring the right class o> immigrants to New Zealand than lias been the ease in past years. The i a.--non oi immigration will. receive the very careful consideration of l 'he (lovernnjent, and reference to the subject will be made, in tho Financial Statement. The Government do not propose to interfere with the -function- of inland boards in the matter, oi grading the classes and values) of land offered for selection, nor is thrr<- am intention to ehange the present system, which has, so far, worked exc.-'.lentlv, states the Premier. JOTTINGS. Mr Lang, member for Maniikan, was voted into the Chair while the Imprest Supply Bill was put through the House yesterday. In both Chambers resolutions oi condolence were passed in respect to thu late Hon. K. Oliver, M.L.C., and Mr Engine O'Connor, a former member oi the House. The Imprest Supply Bill was put though -ill stages at the afternoon sittinb, and Parliament a l ,"- 1 " 1 - 1 as a mark of respect to the late Mikado, and the deceased legislators.