In and Out of Parliament.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 12, 16 September 1908, Page 9

In and Out of Parliament.

Notes on Public Men and Affairs.

Sir Joseph Ward does not think that the session will end before the middle of October. JX Mr. C. H. Poole 'has been selected as the Government candidate for Auckland West seat. JX JX "Teachers are quite as anxious for Increased staffing as they are for increased salaries.” —Hon. G. Fowlds. Mr. Martin, the Opposition organiser, is at present in Christchurch, organising for the approaching electoral campaign. The Premier states that the elections ■will probably bo held about the last ■week in November or the first week in December. JX A movement is on foot to get "King” Mahuta to oppose Mr. Henare Kaihau as member of the Western Maori District at the general elections. JX The Government pins its faith on Mr. J. W. Shackelford for the Eden constituency, which has been represented by Mr. Bollard for a good many years. JX JX Mr. J. McLaughlan, member for Ashburton, who has been absent since fleet week, owing to his serious illness in Auckland, again took his place in. the House of Representatives last week after recuperating at Rotorua. Mr. John Jamieson, who is a member of the Education Board and the East Christchurch School Committee, and who has taken a keen interest in matters affecting the Avon electorate, will be a candidate for Avon at the coming election. JX JX In response to an appeal made by a deputation from the Liberal party, to avoid splitting the votes, Mr. J. D. McKenzie has decided not to seek election for the Marsden district, in view of Mr. J. Harrison having already been nominated as the Government candidate. d* JX Mr. John Jamieson, who has been for some time spoken of as a possible opponent of Mr. Tanner for the representation of Avon, is definitely out for that electorate, and is standing as an Oppositionist. Dr. Thacker, who has just returned from a trip to Great Britain, is announced as a candidate for Lyttelton in the Opposition interests. JX Mr. Charles Bagley has, after consultation with still another medical man, decided that it would be unwise for him in the present state of his health to undertake the work and worry of a political campaign. Although selected as the Government candidate for the Manukau seat, Mr. Bagley announces elsewhere that he has finally resolved not to seek '’action at the forthcoming contest. K* X* AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON. Tire Premier was asked if arrangements to take possession of the WellingtonManawatu railway line on December 7 instead of about six weeks later, had any connection with arrangements for the through service to Auckland. Ho replied that it would, of course, simplify the running of the traffic and obviate the neeeseity for diverting large purtlons of Government traffic from the private line. "There is a current arrangement in regard to running through trains,” he explained, "and the moment the Public Works Department hands over the Trank line, which they hope to do in November,

we will provide an express service in the interests of the public. The Railway Department has been preparing a long time for the through Auckland service, and there will be no delay.” JX Jt A BAIT. A petition, signed by 105 Auckland tradesmen, was presented to the House of Representatives one day last week by Mr. Baume. The petitioners protest against the practice of packing coupons in goods, and of promoting Limerick and other competitions, with the object of inducing the sale of certain goods. They state that the use of coupons militates against honourable competition, and engender the spirit of gambling. Such legislation is asked for as may be necessary to suppress the use of coupons, similar devices, and Limerick competitions in connection with the sale of any goods, as being injurious to honest trading and demoralising to the community. JX j» OLD AGE PENSIONS. Mr. Jennings asked the Prime Minister whether the Government proposed amending the Old Age Pensions Act this session in the direction of allowing persons who can prove residence for forty years and over in New Zealand, but who have been out of the Dominion for a few years, the right of obtaining the pension if their circumstances demand it? He said some early residents, owing to depression and other causes, left the Dominion, and have returned. Some of these can prove over forty years’ residence, but, owing to a break, are debarred from getting the pension. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said it was not proposed to make any amendment to the Old Age Pensions Act in the direction indicated, as any further concession would affeet only those persons who left the Dominion to please themselves and returned to obtain tho benefit of legislation passed to better the lot of those who remained. He would point out that by the original Act of 1898 a total absence of only two years was provided for, but the scope of the Aet was considerably widened by the Act of 1900, which allowed an extended absence of four years. jx GRAZING RUN RIGHTS. A matter of considerable interest in various parts of the country was raised in the House last week, when Mr. Merries asked the Minister for Lands Whether he would compensate those lessees of small grazing runs who formerlyhad the right of turning their leases into leases in perpetuity, but who were deprived of that right by the legislation of last session; or, in the alternative, would he give them the right to turn their leases into renewable leases? In reply, the Minister said Mr. Berries was misinformed of the state of the law. No rights were taken away from the tenants, but the power of giving Icase-in-perpetuity title to small grazing runs was taken away from Land Boards. JX JX PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. The Prime Minister last week announced in the House of Representatives that the Public Works Statement would be introduced on Sept. 22nd, and that he would then be in a position to definitely state what would be done, and what bills would be brought down and dealt with before the session ends. JX JX SLAUGHTERING PIGEONS. In the House of Representatives last week, Mr. Ell raised a strong protest against the slaughter of wild pigeons, and urged that these and other native birds should be protected. The member for Christchurch South said that there had been a very great slaughter of pigeons in the Ohakune district, and it was known, on the report of the Crown

Ranger, that 5,000 were shot and forwarded by rail to Wellington. Other members also protested in strong terms against the destruction of wild pigeons and other native birds, and the Crown Lands Ranger’s report was, on the motion of Mr. Ell, laid upon the table. JX JX THE COMING THIRD PARTY. In the Legislative Council tho Hon. J. A. Rigg said the question arose, "How will this bill elash with a rising third party?” He referred to the Independent Labour Party. It had been suggested, he said, that this bill might possibly retard the progress of that party-, but he thought those fears were groundless. Speaking as one of the Independent Labour Party, he had no fear of the ultimate success of that party. Its pro-

gress might be temporarily retarded, it would eventually receive an Impetus in that its success would b« There would be no chance under tho second ballot system of members oi that party slipping in on the splitting o| the votes. Once the success of the party was achieved it would be As an illustration, he quoted figures to prove that the Socialist party in the ’Jerman Reichstag had increased In strength election after election under th. second ballot.