POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8405, 10 November 1920, Page 1

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE METROPOLIS,

(Special to “Mail.”)

WELLINGTON, Last night. “STOLEN BUTTER-FAT LEVY.” Seeing that a Parliamentary Committee had reported recently that the dairy farmers of the Dominion were entitled to the full value of their butter and their labor, would the Government consider returning to the dairy farmers the butter-fat levy stolen' during the existence of the National Government, especially as it was done during his absence from the country, asked Mr W. D. Powdrell, (Patea), amid “Oh, ohs!” and laughter, in the House of Representatives. “I think that the bon. gentleman had better put it on the Order Paper,” replied Mr Massey. SIR WILLIAM KERRIES. During a discussion of native affairs in the House, the Hon. Mr Ngata said that he understood that the Native Minister \vas going to retire before the next session. The speaker expressed the hope that before Sir William Hemes did retire he would be able to complete several important matters in hand. He would prefer to see the Minister remain, however. When the Minister replied he stated that he desired to see certain results achieved before he left his office. There were some difficulties to be smoothed away and he hoped, when the time came for him to retire, that he would have a clean sheet. THE EVERLASTING RACE. Mr G. Mitchell said the increase in wages was everlastingly chasing the increase in the cost of living. He believed that it would have been better to have kept down the cost of living rather than to have increased wages. LABOR LEGISLATION. During bis explanation of the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill, the Hon. William Herries said next session he proposed to bring down a measure consolidating the labor legislation of the Dominion. OTIRA TUNNEL. Replying to a question during’ the discussion on the Railways Authorisation Bill, Mr Coates said it was proposed to concentrate all available labor for the next eighteen months on the completion of the Otira tunnel. He, therefore, did not anticipate being able to do much in the direction of pushing on with the construction of the Westport-Inangaliua section of the Midland line. SMALLER COMMITTEES. Replying to a question by.. Mr A. S. Malcolm (Clut.ha), the Prime Minister said that the question of appointing only five, instead of ten, members on committees was one that required to he looked into. He believed that if the committees were smaller —say, eight members instead of ten —they would get a very much better result than at present, as members would be able to attend better. He would ho very glad to look into the matter for next session, and endeavor to bring about an improvement. RABBIT PEST. The Hon. Mr Nosworthy moved the second reading of the Rabbit Nuisance Amendment Bill. In doing’ so, the Minister said if rabbits were exterminated a million more sheep might be grown in Otago alone. During the debate the wide powers given to inspectors was touched on by some speakers, and trapping, as a method of destroying rabbits, was freely condemned. The alleged failure of the Government to deal with rabbits on Crown lands was also criticised. Mr Nosworthy, in reply, said if lie was asking for additional powers the House could rely on it that he considered the powers necessary for the future. However, no settler could be taken to Court on the word of a single inspector. Two other inspectors rvould have to support his opinion before an information could be laid. His desire was to see the

Act administered with the utmost fairness. COMING DOWN. Had any change been made in the import duties charged on red. oxide paint or white paints from the Home country? asked Mr T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) in the House of the Minister for Customs and of the Minister in Charge of the Board of Trade; was there any difliculty in procuring paint to-day, or had the amount of paint coming through the Customs considerably decreased during the past year ? Some time ago it cost him £45 to repaint his house, he added, but the estimate for repainting it to-dav was £l2B 10s. Sir William Herries replied that he could not say whether the duty was ad valorem or a straight-out duty. He knew, however, that there had been no alteration in the tariff. Mr Lee said that he would make inquiries as to the position. He was given to understand that the price of paint should be coming down. Mr J. Y. Brown (Napier): Oil is down 2d or 3d a gallon. Mr Lee: I understand that paint is an article the cost of which is coming down considerably.