POLITICAL NOTES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11636, 14 August 1905, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

(Frbih "out Parliamentary Special) (By Telegraph). WAGES IN FACTORIES.-

The Labour Bills Committee, reporting on Mr Taylor's Factories Act Amendment Bill, which seeks to provide a payment of not less than 17s a week for every person of the age of 20 years or .over .employed in a factory, has amended the Bill in the direction of providing for the receipt of this wage after being employed in a factory for a period of not less than four years.

STATE COAL MINES.

Members arc anxious to see the balancesheet of the State coal mines, especially in view of the discussion that has taken place on the subject during the session. The Premier, in reply to Mr Herdntanj announced that the balance-sheet was now in the hands of the Audit Department, and he woiild take an" early opportunity of laying it on the table of the. House.

f'PLUMS" OF. THE SERVICE.:

The cause of women shorthand writers was • advocated by Mr Taylor, who urged that they-should be given an opportunity on tho Hansard staff. He averred that there were some 'women in the colony who had passed, examinations in speed and quality of -work that would "beat any Hansard reporter on the staff to-day. "What about the hours?" interjected the member for Ashburton. Whilst "on the. sxibjeet of Hansard, the member for Christchurch asked by whose authority a- Hansard, reporter was allowed to give, evidence in the Supreme Court in regard to the notes he took of a debate in -the House, in a case in which he (Mr Taylor) was concerned in Ohristchurch ? Were they privi- , leged to disclose to anyone such information without permission of' the Speaker? Tha Chairman- of Committee ruled that this was a matter for the Speaker. Mr ! Taylor intimated that lie r *would put a question on the Order Paper in regard to ! the matter.