POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17802, 29 August 1929, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES.

LIAR AND THIEF,

A DULL DAY. COMMITTEES’ REPORTS. IMPREST SUPPLY BILL. (Times Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Yesterday was a dull day in the House of Representatives. The presentation of reports of select committees and a discussion on Ministerial replies to questions occupied the whole of the afternoon session. In the evening the debate on the Financial Statement was resumed, three speakers participating. The third Imprest Supply Bill will be introduced onFriday. A FARMER’S PETITION. ALLEGED injustice. REPORT REFERRED BACK. (Times Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday. There were expressions, of disappointment in the House- to-day when the Public Petitions Committee reported that it had no recommendation to make regarding the petition of Charles Henry Grecnhead, retired farmer, of Waiuku. The petitioner claimed that he was suffering from a miscarriage of justice, and had been forced to carry the stigma of perjury. He desired an open enquiry in order to obtain a complete public vindication of bis character. Mr J. N. Massey (Franklin) expressed disappointment at the committee’s report, particularly as all the petitioner asked was an opportunity to state his case before a commission of inquiry. Mr W. Lee Martin (Labour) supported Mr Massey’s view. The documents in the case had been impounded by the Justice Department. Mr Lee Martin moved an amendment that the report be referred back to the committee for further consideration. q l he Minister of Justice (Hon. T. M. Wilford) said that if an injustice had been done he was prepared to do what he could to put the matter right. lie did not know mucli about.the case, but if the facts as stated by members were right, he could not understand why the documents required could not be obtained. The report was referred back to the committee for further consideration. WOOD PULP INDUSTRY. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The wood pulp industry was referred to by the Commissioner of State Forests, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, in the House to-day. The Minister said one of the matters under action at the time the Government assumed office was an application by the Westland Wood Pulp and Paper Syndicate, Limited, for timber concessions in Westland, including the reservation of an area of virgin bush. After carefu! consideration the Cabinet decided that it would not be in the public interest to grant the desired concessions. TONGARIRO TIMBER.

WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

Mr. Langstone (Waimarino) desired to know what steps the Government intend taking to safeguard the interests of the Grown and natives in regard to what as known as the Tongariro timber area. The Prime Minister stated that the matter was receiving consideration, and an announcement would be made shortly. LAND VALUATIONS. (By ■ Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Replying to a question in the House to-day the Minister of Lands, Hon. G. W. Forbes, stated valuations of country lands were being revised by a staff of experienced valuers, assisted by .capable local valuers, who had had practical farming experience. During the past three years the department had revalued 47 counties, 20 boroughs and 12 town districts, involving 154,030 assessments. ALSATIAN DOGS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. A motion to 'the effect that the breeding and admission of Alsatian dogs to the Dominion should be banned was tabled in the Legislative Council yesterday by Sir Thomas Mackenzie. The motion was talked out. APPEALS TO PRIVY COUNCIL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Replying to a question, Sir Joseph Ward said he had seen press reports that the British Government proposed to allow any Dominion to abolish the present right or appeal to the Privy Council. The New Zealand Government had no intention ol‘ altering the present position. He had received no official communication on the subject. ' NOXIOUS WEEDS. (By. Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The lion. G. W. Forbes (Minister of Agriculture) stated very serious consideration was being given to bow to deal effectively with noxious weeds. Officers were active in their endeavours’ to get noxious weeds properly dealt with on lands newly infested, or where the clearing of weeds was within the financial capability of settlers. Other badly infested lands were being dealt with in the best way possible in the circumstances. Whether a satisfactory form of local control could be established was being explored, but it was doubtful whether further legislation could be brought down during the present session. COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Mr A. J. Murdoch (Marsdon) has been •appointed Chairman of the Public Accounts and Finance Committee ol' the House.

JUDGE'B STRONG COMMENTS. WITNESS CONTRADICTS HIMSELF. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) GISBORNE, Thursday. Directing the jury to return a verdict of not guilty in a case in which Monte Glover, alias Gossett, was charged with burglary at the premises of the Tuparoa Trading Company, Mr Justice MacGregor, referring to the evidence of a native witness, said: “In my opinion it would be unsafe to convict anyone on this.man’s evidence. He is obviously a liar and a thief. This morning he tells us that the evidence he gave yesterday was a pack of lies, that he was not there and knew nothing about Glover having been there. The fact that an accomplice contradicts his evidence casts the gravest doubt upon the matter, and it would be unsafe and dangerous to convict anyone on such evidence of a convicted thief and obviously a confirmed liar. It is better that ten guilty men should escape than that one innocent man should bo found guilty." The jury immediately gave a verdict of acquittal.