POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8360, 23 July 1920, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE METROPOLIS. (Special to “Mail”). WELLINGTON, Last night. FINANCIAL STRINGENCY. “This is a-bad time to ask for subsidies,” said the Hon. C. J. Parr to a deputation. “There are demands unheard of coining- in. How the Prime Minister, even with his robust- frame, will be able to bear up under the financial demands of the Dominion I do not know!” THE MANGAHAO SCHEME. Mr J. P. Luke has given notice to move in the House of Representatives for a return showing-—(1) The I estimated horse-power of electrical energy at the main points of distribution in connection with the Mangaha,o hydro-electric scheme; (2) the additional horse-power that will be available by linking up other water sources that are adjacent to the present supply; (3) the proportion of electric current that will be available for municipal, Government, industrial, and domestic requirements respectiyely; (4) whether the local bodies will purchase the electrical energy in bulk and have the duty of local distribution; and (5) the price the Government intend to charge for the bulk supply. PETROL SUPPLIES.

The reported shortage of petrol supplies in. Auckland was referred to by the Minister for and Commerce. “Whilst it is admitted,” said the Minister, “that the position jn Auckland seems serious at the moment, reports submitted to me show that the Board of Trade has endeavored to meet the demands of con-

sumers as far as possible. On May 31st last the petrol importers at Auckland held in stock 71,600 cases, and a further 38,000 cases arrived between that date and June 30th. The s.s. West Mahwah arrived early this month, and the Board made provision to discharge some 6000 cases, but ow-

ing to general cargo for Wellington being stowed above the benzine, 2000 cases only could be landed. From

May 31st to date approximately 111,000 cases have gone in consumption. “During the months of May, June, and July, a minimum quantity of petrol is used, and placing Auckland, including Auckland province, at a consumption requirement of 23,000 cases per month, the above figures show that ample stocks were provided to meet normal demands. When a commodity has been in short supply, it is extremely difficult to check abnormal demands, hut taking into consideration the fact that supplies much in excess of normal requirements must have been available, there is no actual shortage of petrol in Auckland. The Port Curtis is due to arrive on August 3rd, and this will right the

position, provided that consumers are prepared to utilise the stocks they are evidently holding in reserve.” THE BRUCE ELECTION. Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) bi-ought under the notice of the Minister for Internal Affairs the fact that in the “Gazette” of June 24th last the result of the Bruce election had been announced as follows: Begg, James 2421 Edie, John 2297 That left Mr Edie in a minority of 124; and if that announcement was correct Mr Edie had no right to he sitting in the House. (Laughter). Mr D. Jones (Kaiapoi): Send Mr Begg a wire. (Laughter). Mr Witty: Evidently the wish is father to the thought. (Laughter). The mistake, he contended, should be corrected, and the announcement should not _ have appeared in the “Gazette” in that form. If the notification hod declared that Mr Edie had been elected it would have been all right; but, as it stood, the public might have been misled. The Prime Minister: I am afraid it was a misprint. Mr Witty: Then it should he corrected. The Hon. G. J. Anderson said that no doubt the hon. member’s purpose had been served by asking the question. Otherwise as he had not received notice of it, he would ask him to put it on the Order Paper.- < DEATH DUTIES. ,

“The question of amendment to the Death Duties Act, 1909, is at present under consideration by the Government,” stated Mr Massey in a printed reply to the Hon. J. A. Hanan’s question as to whether lie would take steps this session to increase the inheritance tax or duties on deceased persons’ wealthy estates? RAILWAY FARES. A question to the Minister for Railways, given notice of by Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) was: “Whether he will see that all children under five years of age are allowed to travel free on the railways, from five to twelve years at quarter-fare, and halffare up to sixteen years?” To this Mr Massey replied that, in view of the heavy increase in the cost of railway supplies and materials and wages, he regretted it was not practicable to grant requests having for their object reduction in railway charges for services performed. He had, however, noted the request for consideration when more normal conditions prevailed and a favorable opportunity presented itself. PROFITEERING. Mr G. Witty, M.P. for Riccarton, was strongly criticising the ineffectiveness of the Board of Trade in regard to stopping profiteering, when Mr Wilford interjected: “They prosecute the sparrows and let the hawks get out.” (Laughter). Mr Witty: No; the hon. gentleman is not offering his goods; the others have been hawking theirs all over tile world. (Hear, hear and laughter). THE NECESSARIES OF LIFE. During the debate in the House on Mr McCallum’s Excise Tariff Bill, Liberal and Labor members strongly

contended that the Customs taxes on the necessaries of life should be lowered, suspended, or repealed, and higher taxation levied on the larger landed estates, on big incomes, and through the death duties. Mr D. Jones (Kaiapoi) declared that the hon. members in question did not realise how much the wealthy people paid to-day in direct taxation. The Prime Minister stated that 3 per cent, of the population paid 70 per cent, of the direct taxation. Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central): Three per cent, of the population? r 1 Mr Massey: Yes. STATE LOTTERIES.

A suggestion that a vast lottery should be conducted by the Government in the matter of housing has been made by the Mayor of Christchurch, and he (stated that he intended to put it to the Prime Minister. He said that a citizen could take a ticket for ss, 10s, or 20s, and £20,000 could be raised for land, which would be submitted to a ballot of ticket-holders. The Mayor added that churches ran ballots to raise funds, and war funds were raised by lottery, and the Government legalised the totalisator. If a ticket-hol-der failed to draw a prize he would get another chance later on; but I even if they never won they would have something in the way of garden suburbs to show for the money. the juggernauts!

Replying to Mr G. Hunter, Mr Massey said he would give immediate instructions to the police to check the great amount of furious driving now going on amongst motorists. THE BOOKIE.

The Gaming Act Amendment Bill oassed through the Committee stage with but slight alteration. In clause 4, the words “knowingy before ‘issued/ 1 and ‘ 1 knowingy” before “been a party to the issue >f any card, etc.,” were inserted. An amendment to permit clubs to introduce the double totalisator was lost by 42 to 22. Mr Wilford moved a further amendment which would legalise the publication of totalisator dividends. He thought that others besides those who were on the course should have an opportunity of knowing what the dividend was. The amendment was lost by 36 to 28. I Mr Isitt moved a new clause “tha notwithstanding anything to the eon trary contained in'the principal Ac no further license for the use of tin totalisator be issued or renewed oi and after the passing of this Act.” The amendment rvas not debated and in a division it was lost by 55 tc 6, those voting for it being 'Messrs Sullivan, Howard, McCombs, Craigie, Edie and Isitt. BREVITIES.

: Inquiries are to be made in regard , to allegations of cruelty at live pigeon i matches. The Government is considering tße imposition of a special tax on all motor tyres, the money to be earmarked and paid over to local bodies to be used for the upkeep of main roads. It is not proposed to introduce this session legislation making Saturday afternoon the universal half-holiday for the Dominion. Under the Magistrate’s Court Act Amendment Bill it is proposed to pay the senior Magistrates in the four chief centres £9OO a year, the second Magistrates in Auckland and Wellington £BSO, and other Magistrates £BOO. At present the salaries are £7OO and £BOO. A request was made by Mr T. D. Burnett (Temuka) that the Government should have a scientific investigation made regarding the ravages of the wood-borer, which damaged so many houses, when dwellings were so scarce. According to a Parliamentary return 280,510 gallons of liquor were sent into No-license districts during the year ending 31st December last. I lie amount consigned to Wellington Suburbs was 9256 gallons, to Wellington South 8839 gallons, and to Masterton 23,879 gallons. Invercargill heads the list with 82,008 gallons.