POLITICAL

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5971, 21 August 1912, Page 3

POLITICAL

■RAILWAY CONCESSIONS TO CHILDREN. As (lie result of an inquiry by Mr Myers, the Minister of 'Railways states that investigations indicate that it would cost some thousands per annum to introduce the system o! carrying children up to live years of age free, and those between the ages of live and fourteen years at quarter rates, on tho railways of the Dominion. I n these circumstances, it is not proposed to make any concession in' the direction indicated.

JLAKD BALLOT CONDITIONS. Asked by Mr Buxton if the holders of very small a reas of land may lie permitted to go to 1110 ballot notwithstanding the fact that they hold land, providi.d that they undertake to transfer other interests if successful, tho Prime Minister replied that thora is nothing in tho Act, to prevent an applicant who does not hold enough land tr maintain himself au d his family from participating in the ballot, but this is a matter which is in the discretion of the Land Board, which has power to examine applicants to discover their means of subsistence and property already held by them. No amendment of the Act is needed to give effect to the representations.

'RAILAGE Olf FLOUR. Replying to the Hon. D. Buddo, the Minister ior Railways stated that the Railway Department conveys eleven, sacks of 20(,'1b of tlour, bran, and pollard as one ton. It is quite prepared to carry '22401b of Hour to the ton if bags of suitable sizes are used by the llour-millers. Up to the present time the 'Railways Department has not altered the computation of the ton loj wheat, but in view of tho fact, that the computation of a ton of wheat at 2430 H) leads to the fre;> convey unci! of one ton out of every thirteen and is now taken exception to by the flour-millers, the 'question as to' whether wheat should not bo carried at 22401b to the ton will be taken into consideration at 'an earlv date. Mr Buddo this afternoon declared that there had been nothing more unprofitable for farmers than (wheal growing, so that it would be a hardship to make any higher charge on carriage. His question hud net raised that matter. What he desired 'to see was the removal of a freight handicap on countrv-ni'illed wlir-ut r puvl to ten per cent.