Notes on Public Men and Affairs.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 9, 26 August 1908, Page 10

Notes on Public Men and Affairs.

Mr. James Thorn is announced as the Socialist candidate for Christchurch South. Ji Jl Mr J. yf. Shackleford, who is a candidate for Eden, returned to Auckland from Napier on Monday. jl Jl LINKING UP THE EAST COAST. Through Mr. Ilerrics, 230 residents of Tauranga County are asking that the East Coast should be linked up by a railway from Waihi via. Tauranga, Te Puke, Whakatane, and Opotiki, to Gisborne, thus connecting with Auckland by a short direct route. It is further pointed out that the land along this route is eminently fitted for closer settlement, and the building of such a lino would have the effect of developing «n already fast-growing trade. jl v«« TAURANGA HARBOUR. ho less than fire petitions, containing Over 200 signatures were presented by Mr. Merries in opposition to the proposed Tauranga Harbour Board Bill. It is Contended that the proposed representation is not a fair one, the promoters of the bill, iho Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, not being a representative body. The petitioners also urge that a •Harbour Board is not required, and its formation would lead to increased charges without commensurate advantages. On these grounds, together with the fact that the ratepayers have not been consulted, it is asked that the bill be thrown out. Jl THE DENTAL ACT. Dentists throughout the Dominion are much concerned about a report which has gone the rounds to the effect that an attempt, is to be made to amend the Dental Act of 1905 in its relation to the course of training necessary for those desirous of qualifying for the dental profession. Under the provisions of Ilia present Act it is necessary for those Studying dentistry to spend two years' apprenticeship with a qualified dental surgeon, and an additional two years in the Dunedin Dental Hospital. Representation has been made by students in various parts of the Dominion that they should be allowed to qualify under the old conditions which existed prior to the passing of Ac 1905 Act, on the grounds that they paid heavy premiums io qualified dentists before the. University Senate undertook the drawing up of the present curriculum, which embraces a serious course, of study, and carries with it the title of Doctor of Dental Surgery in all parts of the British Empire, Objection is taken by members of the Dental Association to any further removal of the obligations of the present Act in respect of the qualifications of dental surgeons, and members of the House have been petitioned by those who are. interested in both sides of the question. From inquiries made, it is practically certain that no amendment will be introduced to the Dental Act this sessio”. jl Jt THE COMING ELECTIONS. At a meeting of the Wellington Labour Representation Committee it was decided to contest six seats in Wellington and suburbs if funds are available. The nominations received up to the present are: Messrs. D. McLaren (secretary of the Wharf Labourers’ Union), W. Jones (secretary of the Federated Seamen's Union), O. Chapman (president of the 'Typographical Federation), W. Wagstaffe (secretary of the Carpenters' Union), G. Campbell (organiser of the Political Labour League), and W. Young l( secretary of the Australasian Federated Beamon’s Union). A rumour has gained currency that Mr T. A. Moresby, of Paeroa, intends contesting Ohinemuri seat in the Opposition interests. So far, the announced condidatcs are:—Messrs. J, Pc-

land, present member; J. Foster, who was defeated, for Bay of Plenty last election, IL T. president of the Miners’ Union, and R. F. Way, Socialist, of Auckland.. 3 Jl THE COUPON SYSTEM. Stewart Dawson and Co. and 09 others are petitioning that the use .of coupons Ims brought within the scope of the Trading Stamps Abolition and Discount Stamps Issue Act. It Is claimed that the use of coupons in packets of tea, baking powder, and other goods, gives a fictitious value to the article sold, militates against honourable competition, and engenders the spirit of gambling. The petitioners ask that the use of coupons, similar devices, and Limerick competitions be suppressed, as being injurious to honest trading, and demoralising to the community. . Jl TRAVELLING IN NEW ZEALAND. Recently the Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones has been more than once called upon to put up a defence of the New Zealand railways. Last week the Minister for Public Works again compared the railway charges of the Dominion with those of the Australian States. The journey from Wellington to. Auckland, he said, would cost £1 19/1. To travel a similar distance in Queensland cost £3 8/5, in New South Wales £3 1/, and in Victoria £3 10/. The Wellington-Auckland journey second class would coat £1 1/2. In Quensland over a like distance the charge was £2 1/0, in New South Wales £2 Ilf, and in Victoria £2 10/.. jl Ji DREDGING THE MANUKAU. “T,Vill the Minister for Marine arrange at an early date to send a dredge to the Manukau Harbour with the object of deepening the channel and improving the navigation for vessels to and from Ohehungaasked Mr. ju the House. The member for Manukau further pointed Out that the use of a dredge for three or four months would greatly improve the navigation of the harbour. The Minister for Marine, the Hon. J. A. Millar, replied that as the proposal had been submitted by the Auckland* Harbour Board to take over the control of the Manukau Harbour, it was not intended to sen! any dredge there at the present. Jl Jl THE HIGH COMMISSIONER. Mr. James Allen stated that lie had heard a rumour that it was not the intention of the Government to make known the appointment-of the High Commissioner until after the. general elections, He would like to have the I’bime Minister's assurance that there was no foundation for the rumour. Sir Joseph Ward: “I have stated that the Government’s intentions will be made known this session, and I always keep iny word.” Mr. Okey said a point he would like to impress on the Prime Minister was the desirability of sending home young New Zealanders to fill the clerical positions in the High Commissioner’s office in London. Air. Aitken said he would like to know if any change was likely to be made in the High Commissioner’s offices in Loudon. In his opinion it was high time that some change should be made so that the Commissioner might be located in a more central position. If the Dominion was to keep up its position at Home it would be necessary to establish the offices in Hie city of London proper. Sir Joseph Ward said that the tenure of the existing offices had five years to run. He was one of those who believed that the offices should be in a more central position. It was desirable to got further into the heart of the city of London. At the present time the principal officers in the High Commissioner’s staff were Now Zealanders, but no particular advantage would be gained by interchange.

COMPULSORY VACCINATION. “Vaccination should cease to be a compulsory operation, and it is time that we should have a change in the legislation, dealing with the subject,” said Mr George Laurenson in referring to the vote on the estimates for vaccination inspectors. As a protest and with a view to enabling members to signify the opinions they held on the matter, the member for Lyttelton moved that the total appropriation be reduced by the sum of £l. A division was called for, and resulted in Air Laurenson losing his point by 22 votes to 19. Air Gray was desirous of moving that the votes for vaccination inspectors should be entirely struck out, but the member for Christchurch North was ruled out of order. Jl THE DOMINION COAT OF ARMS. A discussion took place on the Dominion coat-of-arms. Air Fisher said hundreds of designs liad been received, and, after being held for 12 months without any attempt at selection, were destroyed in the Parliamentary buildings fire. Air Carroll said new designs were now now’ being considered by the Cabinet <!» Jl FLEET WEEK EXPENDITURE. The House last week went into committee on the Local Authorities Indemnity Bill, which legalises the expenditure of the local bodies in the Auckland district in connection with the reception of the American fleet. The bill was put through all its stages, the operation being extended, on the motion of the Premier, to cover all local bodies in New Zealand, in the Legislative Council this afternoon, the bill was put through all its stages at one sitting. The Hon. J. E. Jenkinson took advantage of the opportunity to congratulate the people of Auckland on the way in which the entertainment of the visitors had been carried out. He spoke in a highly eulogistic manner of the way in which the citizens had carried out the reception arrangements, and said the welcome had been worthy of New Zealand.