POLITICAL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue II, 12 July 1902, Page 88

POLITICAL.

In the House last week a considerable number of petitions were presented from Christchurch in favour of the abolition of the totalisator. Mr Fowlds is to ask what steps the Government intends to take to equalise the representation of the North and South Islands in the Legislative Council. In reply to Mr Napier, the Post-master-General said ,he hoped the railway arrangements would be such as to warrant the steamship owners putting on a daily steamer between Onehunga and New Plymouth. In reply to Mr Meredith, the Acting Colonial Treasurer said the question of abolishing the mortgage tax would be dealt with in the Financial Statement. Mr I’irani was informed that the Government will consider the question of making concessions to members of friendly societies visiting Rotorua, but he thought it would not be advisable, to give one class of persons such a preference. The Impounding Act Amendment, which defines the “nearest pound” in the original Act to mean that pound which, having regard to the condition of roads or rivers or the like circumstances, can be most conveniently reached. In reply to Mr Monk, Sir Joseph Ward said the great majority of cable messages received from Mr Seddon in London were coded, and the importune-' of the subjects warranted the expenditure. Hundreds of cable messages had been transmitted to Australia by request, and to many private persons. Amongst the motions on the Order Paper in the House of Representatives was one in the name of Mr George Fowlds, who wants a return showing—(l) The number and names of licensed victuallers against whom informations were laid in the Auckland and any other districts, under the jurisdiction of Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., for breaches of the Licensing Acts during the past five years; and (2) the result of the hearing of such informations. Among the papers laid on the table of the House by the Acting-Premier, one shows that the revenue for the year ending 31st December, 1901, amounted to £3,600,702, the principal heads being: Funds at Ist January, 1901—Renewal of premiums, assurance annuity, and endowment, £266.815; interest. £142,449. The total expenditure was £34,967, and the amount of funds on 31st December, 1901, was £3,285,415. The report of the Post and Telegraph Department for the year 1901 shows the following results: — Receipts: Postal £281,095, telegraph £212,415: grand total £488,573. Expenditure: Postal £281.096, telegraph £212,415: total £488,573; the balance of revenue over expenditure being £22,816.