POLITICAL NOTES FROM WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8910, 9 November 1907, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES FROM WELLINGTON.

(Parliamentary Ileporter.)

WELLINGTON, This Day.

Mr H. G. Ell gave notice in the House yesterday afternoon, of a Barmaid Abolition Bill.

Mr Hogg is asking the Government to consider the expediency of improving the railway service by providing up-to-date steamers for the conveyance of goods and passengers across Cook Strait.

He is also asking the Minister of Mines to develop coal for gas-making and to secure Government vessels for the distribution of State coal.

The Post and Telegraph Classification Bill, which provides an improved schedule of salaries, was read a sceoud time after a brief debate.

The Railway Classification Bill was read a second time, after considerable discussion.

The Premier explained that a considerable amount of causes of dissatisfaction had been removed by a careful revision o c . the scale of pay and annual increases. The pay of cadets, beginning at £50 for the first year, was £80 for the third year, but if the cadet got married, an additional £50 was allowed, and his pay for several years, till lie emerged from his cadetship, remained at £130. Messrs Massey and Wilford supported the Bill, which was freely criticised by Mr Hornsby, who considered that the difference in the conditions of work and pay of postmasters and station masters was too great, and the attitude of certain officers towards their subordinates excited friction and dissatisfaction.

Mr Hogg acknowledged the efficiency of the service, and expressed a high opinion of the men employed, but complained of the want of uniformity m the pay of cadets and apprentices. The regulations regarding age were frequently prohibitive and casual workers were underpaid.