News of the Dominion.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 18, 1 November 1911, Page 4

News of the Dominion.

OUR WELLINGTON LETTER. WELLINGTON, October 28. A Long-drawn Session. PARLIAMENT had not risen at the time of writing, although the Premier had spurred members on last week .'by expressing the opinion that the session could be brought to a close this Thursday. A lot of the minor business has been done, but the talking proclivities of M.P.’s are too strong to be overcome, and the usual flood of verbiage has spun out the proceedings in a fashion most exasperating to the men who really do the work. The tongues of the more talkative of our politicians are unruly members indeed, and hot even Mr. Speaker has power to "put the extinguisher” on them m a way that would please their less verbose colleagues and the scribes who have to listen to them. However, they may not be with us next year, for which consummation let us pray. Amongst the mass of unimportant matters which had the attention of M.P.’s this week were at least two measures of great interest bearing upon the settlement of our waste lands, and the closer settlement of 'big estates. The former is in the form of the Land Settlement Bill. The Government informed members that they did not contemplate carrying out so important a proposal this session, but it eould be considered by the country in the recess.

It contains proposals for the eompnlsory purchase of lands for road and railway construction, these areas to be settled under- deferred payment conditions. Native lands not required by the natives will also come under the compulsory purchase clauses, but this provision will be accompanied by greatly improved borrowing facilities for natives who wish to farm their lands themselves. The Bill proposes a system under which the Government will act as an intermediary between the large landlords and tenants, in order to help settlers to quickly Obtain land, to ensure sales satisfactory to both sides, and to ensure a more rapid cutting up of lands for settlers in small areas. The land is to be settled in family and individual holdings, which are to be paid for by instalments over a period of ten years. The State is to guarantee transactions of this kind by using debentures to the amount of not more than one million sterling per annum, and the maximum amount of land which can be dealt with in any one year 750,000 acres. For a wonder, Mr. Massey and Mr. Berries have both approved the general principles of the Bill. There fa expected to be some opposition from strong leaseholders next session. But we shall see what we shall see. The Bill seems an excellent measure, and it will no doubt go through. The second of the land settlement measures is one which is designed to get over the difficulty which the Government has experienced in purchasing large private estates for close settlement. Exorbitant prices have been demanded, and the “expert’’ valuers called to value the blocks proposed to be taken, have, it is complained. made excessive valuations; in fact, all the odds are in favour of the owner ami against the Government. Consequently the Crown has had to cease buying up the large runs; it eannot get them at a reasonable price. The new Bill, an amendment to the Land for Settlement Bill, provides that in taking private lan.l in future the value shall be fixed by the Compensation Court, and that no allowance shall be made for the fact that the land is being compulsorily acquired: this compulsory taking shall not be a reason for extra compensation. These provisions—very necessary ones in the interests of settlement —have hit sorely our big land owners in the place where it hurts, judging by the alarm and indignation expressed by the "Dominion” in a leader about “compulsory appropriations.” The great bulk of the people, and especially those people who want to get on the land but can’t, will, however, be inclined to applaud the new Bill with much vigour. The seemingly interminable wrangle over the Mokau land transaction was fortunately brought to a close yocterday

by the adoption of the report of the Committee which investigated the matter. The report, exonerating the Government from any blame in the transaction, and from the accusations made by Mr. Massey and his friends, was adopted without division. Sir James Carroll, in his winding-up speech, voiced a very general feeling when he said that the public was quite tired of Mokau. The Mokau (block was now to be settled, and that was a good thing for both pakeha and Maori; and all the dealings of the Government with, the land were perfectly fair and above board. So, exit Mokau, for which let ns be thankful.

A measure of interest to our old soldiers was put through all its Parliamentary stages thia week. This is the Military Pensions Bill, which simply aims at making the pensions drawn by “old hands” who are so indigent to require the military pensions instead of the ordinary old age allowances. This is more a matter of sentiment than anything else, but it will be keenly appreciated by a lot of the veterans of the Maori wars. They will now be military pensioners; and though the receipt of the old age pension carries no reproach with it, yet the men who have fought for theii- country will be able to hold their heads a little higher, perhaps, now that they can call at the P.O. for their military pensions. The Coastal Shipping Dispute. A score or so of the small steamers trading to the Coast have been laid up idle in Wellington harbour for two or three weeks post, as the result of the dispute between the officers and the owners as to terms of remuneration. These small fry usually make the harbour lively, running in and out on their coasting errands, and there are some modern and really fine little steamers amongst them, arid, by way of contrast in the matter of age, that wonderful old craft the Stormbird, which has been trading around these shores for a good half-eentury. Across at Nelson there are a number of the Anchor Line steamers laid up; the officers of this line are willing to go back to work, but the Merchant Service Guild, the officers’ Union, refuses to allow them to resume their duties until the dispute is officially settled. A considerable number of the Wellington masters and officers have stated that they are willing to resume; and the owners’ representatives have decided to take back all officers offering, and to run as many steamers as pos-

sible. The guild, however, is dead against allowing the strike to fizzle out in this way. It was at one time thought that the Union S.'S. Company would be involved also, but the Red-Funnel officers, as a body, are said to be willing to accept the company’s terms. There is, then, not likely to be any help for the local deck officers from that big fleet. Negotiations are still going on; and in the meantime the coastal trade is being seriously interrupted. The sooner the unfortunate trouble is settled the better for all parties. For one thing, the officers out on c-dmpulsory holiday, in obedience to theii - guild, eannot afford to remain idle much longer. Salai’ies; and Onr Weather Man. The Civil -Service salaries are mounting up. The Supplementary Estimates this year contain a big sum for increases to already very well-paid officials. The men at the top always get the plums—the “heavy, old men,” as Kipling called our venerable generals in the Boer War, who have earned their big screws by dint of hard and regular sitting in their office chairs. But there is at least one increase, to which no one can take exception. That is the addition of £lOO a year to the salary of the Rev. D. (J. Bates, the Government Meteorologist. Mr. Bates has worked exceedingly well, and led a strenuous life in the public interest, on a salary inferior to that of many a clerk in the Government service. It is good to see that he is coming into his own at last. He has certainly “made good” as a weather prophet; his forecasts are usually quite accurate—and that is a big thing to say of a prophet who has to deal with such an err*ti<s subject as th« weather.

Old Jack Guard. Occasionally one comes across exceptionally interesting links between the old and the new in our brief but stirring colonial story. Just across the water from Wellington, lin a little bay in Port Underwood, the life of a remarkable old New Zealander is drawing to a close. This old hand la Jack Guard, who has a wonderfully adventurous career to his credit, and who figures in a chapter of our early history, before New Zealand was a British possession. Old Jack Guard is just eighty years of age. He was barn In 1831 at the celebrated old whaling station Te A wait i, in Tory Channel — you pass it on the right as you steam up past Arapawa Island to Pieton. His father was Captain Guard, the master of the barque Harriet, a vessel conspicuous in early Taranaki records. The little Guard, when three years “bld, was taken to Sydney in the Harriet, and on the returning voyage to New Zealand the barque was wrecked a few miles south of Cape Egmont, on the beach now known as the “Harriet Beach.” The little boy and his mother fell into the hands of the Taranaki Maoris (who ate some of the Harriet’s crew). Captain Guard got away and sailed off in a boat for help. It was some eight months later before Mrs. Guard and her child were rescued from the Maoris, who had not treated them at all badly, in fact, it is said both wanted to remain with the natives. A British warship, the Alligator, recovered the mother and little boy from the natives at Waiinate Pa, on the coast not far from the present town 6f Hawera. The Maori Paa at the mouth of the Kapuni River were shelled by the Alligator, and some Imperial soldiers brought over from Sydney were landed, and had a brisk encounter with the Maoris, some of whom were shot. This was the first occasion on which Imperial soldiers met the Maoris in battle. The Guards, re-united, settled in the Marlborough Sounds, and there Jaek Guard became an experienced and daring whaler, and many a wild day he had out in his long whaleboat. In those days the whalers thought nothing of crossing stormy Cook Strait in their open boats. Farming, too, the pioneer earned a living at. He has seen some thrilling happenings in his time. There ought to be a good book of adventure in old Jack Guard. But I hear that his faculties are failing him fast, and the day has gone past for obtaining the pakeha-Maori patriarch’s strange reminiscences.

Maori Lands. The result of 20 years’ operations in native land settlement is set forth In clear, unmistakable terms in a valuable return on the position of native lands in the North Island tabled in the House ou Friday by Sir Jas. Carroll just prior to the conclusion of business. The position at native lauds in 1891, as set out in Parliamentary paper 9-10 of that year, gives the following: Papatupu lands 2,777-209 acres, leased to Europeans 2,422,469, held by Maoris 5.629,808, total native lands 10,829,486 The area of all classes of native land ia each land district was as follows: Auckland 5,677,048 acres, Taranaki 590,016, "Hawke’s Bay 2,580,160, Wellington 1,982,262, total 10329,486. The area of native laud finally acquired by the Crown from the natives from 1891 to 1911, together with the amount paid, is -set out year after year. Summarised the position is: Finally acquired 3,170,608 acres, amount paid £1,010,080, survey liens 21,791 acres, total 3,192/139 acres. During the same period, ior the greater part of which the sale of native land to private individuals was prohibited, the area sold to private persons was 499,882 acres. Thus, during the 20 years under review the Maoris parted with the freehold of 3,692,281 acres, and all this in the North Island. In 1891 the area of Papatupu lands lying virgin, not only to the axe of the settler, but to the law, held by the aboriginal owners under their customs and usages, not according to any title recognised by the district land registration offices, amounted to 2,777.209 acres. In 1909 this had been reduced to 490,752 acres,-as follows: Auckland district 341,467 acres, Hawke’s Bay district 149,285, total 490,752 acres. At 31st March, 1911, this area had been further reduced to 190,792 acres, of which the ibulk is in the Auckland land district. The bare figures, to those unacquainted with native land matters, may not bo eloquent, but to those who know and understand the process of converting customary into freehold land held by registrable titles the figures are exceedingly interesting. In two years it is estimated there will not be any block of value remaining in the category of "customary” or “Papatupu” land. Native lands in the North Island were reduced by sales to the Crown and to private individuals at 31st March, 1911 (per Lands Department return, 1911}, to 7,236,710 aeres, but this did not take into consideration sales approved by Maori Land Boards and completed before 31st March of this year, but not registered at that date. The correct area, of native land in the North Island owned by Maoris or held for them was: 7,137305 aeres. The area estimated to be profitably occupied as at 31st March, 1911, was: Leased direct by natives, (a) confirmed Court 1,500.000 acres, (b) approved by boards 1,291.686; leased on behalf of Maoris, (a) through boards 294,873, (b) East Coast Trust 95.050, (c) under Mangatu Aet 51,295, (d) by Public Trustee 163.665, subject to timber agreements 135.000, Tutira and Waimarama. leases 24.773, profitably occupied by Maoris 300.000; total 4.056,342. Alter deducting the area estimated as above to be in profitable occupation, there remains a balance of 3,080.863 acres. Off this area a proportion must be deducted as unfit for settlement. Thia is difficult to arrive at eorreetly. The Lands Department (report 1911) estimated the area occupied by roads, rivera, and lakes in the North Island at 1,000382 aeres. It is safe to estimate that one-fifth of this area is of native land, and of such onefifth a little under one-half is on unoccupied native lands. The bulk of the unoccupied lands is in tbe Urewera country, Taupo Thermal Springs district, inland from Poverty Bay, Cape Runaway and East Cape, Upper Whangarei, inland from Pa tea, near the Ruahine Ranges, and North Auckland. They are mainly, therefore, in those portions that are difficult of access. Those, therefore, that speak of the huge areas of unoccupied native lands will do well to remember that of the-e unoccupied lands, nearly two-thirds are massed in a part of the North Islam! generally regarded as unfit for settlement, except in large areas as small grazing runs or pastoral runs. The remaining unoccupied lands were held on 31st March, 1911, thus: By trustees for settlement 871,595 acres, under negotiation with Crown 430.560. balance Urewera reserve 600.000, uninvestigated Papatupu 190,702, other lands 987,916) total 3,080,863 acres.

labour Troubles. i The dispute between the Mercbauts’ Shipping Guild and various coastal steamship companies trading at Southern ports has had the effect of laying up a number of steamers, and causing serious injury to trade, particularly at Wanganui. At time of writing there did not seem to be any immediate prospect of settlement. The shipping strike in Sydney is affecting business here on account of intercolonial steamers refusing to take cargo for that port, and imports from Australia have also been almost suspended. One result of this state of affairs has been to cause a scarcity in fruit, particularly in the South. Nearer home we have had a serious upheaval, svhicli commenced with men employed on various contracts let by the Drainage Board and extended to members of the General Labourers’ Union, with the result that some six hundred men were thrown out of employment. The union insisted upon the abolition of sub-letting contracts, and demanded a definite undertaking by the Drainage Board that subletting would be prohibited. The Rush for land. !An indication of the rush to secure Crown lands was shown by a report presented at the Auckland Lands Board on Thursday. The area made available under all tenures was 50,236 acres in Puhipulii district, and there were 931 applicants for 101 sections, comprising 29.507 acres. The highest number of applicants for any one section was 79. The great majority of the applications were from landless people of desirable tvpe. The Southern districts were well represented amongst the applicants. The House of Representatives adopted a recommendation by the Taupo Railway Committed that consideration of the Taupo Company’s application for permission to extend the company’s present railway to Lake Taupo and for the purchase "of 200,000 land of land stand over till next session in view of the large questions involved. Boating Disasters, Two boating disasters involving the loss of eleven lives were reported by telegram on Monday. boat used for shipping wool from IVangaehu station capsized near Cape Turnagain, and four men were drowned —A. L. Roff, A. Johansen, 0. Olsen, and J. Jorgensen. They were all young men. At Foxton Heads on Sunday a small boat containing a number of week-enders from Palmerston North was capsized when being rowed off to a launch. Two of the party were rescued, and the following were drowned: Mrs. Agnes Isabella Grove, wife of Mr. Eugene Grove; Rex. Eugene Grove, aged six years; John Hardy Grove, aged three years; Mrs. Fanny Robert, wife of Percy Robert, uniform and regalia manufacturer; Leslie Robert, aged 10; Douglas Robert, aged eight; Florence Arnold, aged 24, late of Eltham; Grace O'Sullivan, aged 22, daughter of Major O'Sullivan, director of equipment stores, Defence Department, Wellington.

Coat of Bellamy's. The institution known as Bellamy's, which dispenses meals and liquid refreshments to members of Parliament, was under review in the Legislative Council last week. The subject was introduced by the Hon. Capt. Baillie, who moved that the balance sheet of Bellamy’s and the minutes of the proceedings of the last meeting of the joint house committee be laid on the table. In answer to a question, Mr Jenkinson stated that the profit last year at the end of the session was £42, so they were on the right side of the ledger. In the past a profit could never be shown. Mr Rigg said the servants’ wages had to be paid then out of the business; it was not so now. Mr Jenkinson said that when the present manager took over Bellamy's there was a large overdraft, which had been wiped off. Mr Rigg: “It cost the country about £l,OOO per year. Mr Jenkinson declared that Bellamy’s cost the country a great deal less than any similar institution in any of the Australian States. The management of Bellamy’s was creditable in the extreme, and he ventured to say that every member of the House was satisfied with itMr Rigg: “Not with the conduct of the House Committeee.” Mr Jenkinson said the committee had done all that was required of it, and he hoped the motion would be withdrawn. A point had been made of the amount outstanding to members. If the accounts had bgpn made up at the end of the session a considerable amount would be outstanding, but when they were rendered, and the 20th of next month arrived, it would be found that there was very little outstanding. As a matter of fact, a few days ago the amount was only a few shillings. Such a state of things did not obtain in the old days. The position reflected credit on the' manager and the bookkeeper of Bellamy’s. The Attorney-General thought that the discussion served Mr Baillie’s purpose. The Council could rest assured that while Mr Jenkinson was chairman of the committee no irregularities would occur. Capt. Baillie withdrew his motion. He only desired, he said, to see that some publicity was given to the position of Bellamy’s. As to the old days, it should be remembered that the servants had then to be paid out of the profits of the bar; nowadays a- vote of £3OO or £4OO wks passed for this purpose. The motion was withdrawn.

Labour Legislation. The second reading discussion upon the Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill took place in the Hous? on Thursday. The Hon. Mr. Millar explained that the bill had been thoroughly considered by the Labour Bills Committee. Amongst Other provisions of the measure was one which provided for the conversion of an industrial agreement into an award of the Arbitration Court. He intended, however, to introduce a proviso to safe guard any hole in the corner business under which one or two employers might come to terms with the men respecting an agreement. The majority of employers in that particular line in the district should have a say before such an agreement came into force. There was a growing demand for Dominion awards, and the bill was also providing better machinery for that purpose. Another clause provided for an appeal from a magistrate’s decision to the Arbitration Court. This was asked for by the Department. The Conciliation Councils were now doing such good work that the Arbitration Court would now have time at its disposal for regular quarterly sittings at the four chief centres of the Dominion. Sittings would be held at the other centres where necessary. Asked whether he intended to legislate respecting the position of President of the Court being held by a Supreme Court judge, the Minister said he did not believe in any panic legislation: he wanted to have time to think the thing out. Mr. Arnold: And you will probably legislate next session. Mr. Millar: I will say almost absolutely. If I am not here someone else will do it. Mr. Hanna: You will be here all right. Mr. Wilford stated that he had received representations urging that companies like the Waihi Gold Mining Company, employing engineers, but whose principal business was not that of engineering, should be included in the engineering award. Mr. McLaren opposed the amendment suggested by Mr. Wilford on the ground that it would allow the men to be cut up amongst the different sections. He deprecated the desire of sorile workers to do away with the Arbitration Court. The second reading was agreed to. Upon the committal of the bill the •Hon. Mr. Millar moved, add it was agreed, that the right of appeal against a magistrate’s decision in breaches of award cases be enlarged to apply to cases where the claim is £5, instead of £lO, as hitherto. The Minister moved to replace clause three with a new clause providing for the conversion of industrial agreements into awards of the Court unless, in the opinion of the Court it was against the public good or in excess of the jurisdiction of the Court. Sir A. Guinness moved to strike out the discretionary power of the Court in the matter. The Minister opposed the amendment

on the ground that a small section of workers should not be allowed to bind U.e majority of the workers in the industry. The amendment was rejected by 20 to 37. and the new clause was inserted. The Minister moved a new clause providing for the making of a Doininioi award, the application to be heard by the Arbitration Court at such place or places as the parties may agree on, or, in default, as the court may direct. The clause was agreed to. A further new clause was added, providing that three clear days before the hearing of a dispute respondents shall lodge a statement admitting such claims as they desire to admit, or making a counter proposal. The Hon. Mr. Millar said some material alterations in the Arbitration Court would be considered next session. Mr. Field moved a new clause bringing contracts for labour only under an award or industrial agreement in force in the district. The clause was rejected. The bill was reported and passed.

The Seasion’a Work. * The following is a schedule of the business of the House of Representatives and of the bills passed and lapsed during the sessions—(l) Select Committee on public matters, 20; on private bills, 3. Total, 23. (2) Public bills received the Royal assent, 79; reserved for the signification of His,Majesty’s pleasure, 1; dropped or otherwise disposed of, 43. Total, 123. (3) Private bills which received the Royal assent, 3. (4) Sittings: Pays of meeting, 56; hours of sitting before midnight, 37.8 hours two minutes; hours of sitting after midnight, 70 hours 14 minutes —448 hours 16 minutes. Daily average, eight jl-MIS. following is a list of Acts passed by the General Assembly:— PUBLIC ACTS. The Shipping and Seamen Amendment Act (reserved for the assent of His Majesty). . Administration Amendment. Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement. Appropriation. Auckland Grammar School Site. Christchurch Domains Amendment. Death Duties Amendment. Dentists Amendment. Dunedin Technical School Site. Kdueatipn Reserves Amendment. Elingamite Rehearing. Friendly Societies Amendment. Government Railways Amendment, llauraki Plains Amendment. 11 utt Railway and Road Improvement A niendment. Imprest Supply, 1,2, and 3. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment. Kaikoura Hospital Site. Land Tax and Income Tax. Legislature Amendment, No. 3. Local Elections and Polls Amendment. Mental Defectives. Military Pensions. Mining Amendment. Native Land Claims Adjustment. New Zealand State-guardnteed Advances Amendment. Old Age Pensions Amendment. Patents Designs and Trademarks. Post and Telegraph 'Amendment. Public Reserves and Domains Amendment. Public Service Classification and Superannuation Amendment. Public Works Amendment. Rating Amendment. Railways Authorisation. Representation Commission's report. Validation. Reserves and Other Lands’ Disposal and Public Bodies’ Empowering. Stone Quarries Amendment. Tramways Amendment. University of Otago Council. Wanganui School Sites Amendment. Widows’ Pensions. Workers’ Compensation Amendment. LOCAL ACTS. Auckland Electric. Power Station Site. Auckland Harbour Board Empowering. Franklin ’and Manukau Counties. Hamilton Domains. Manukau Harbour Control. Onehnnga Borough's N esting. PRINATE ACTS. Guardian Trust and Executors Company Amendment. Methodist Charitable and Education Trusts. Methodist Church of New Zealand. The Licensing Polls. The amendment to the Legislature Amendment Bill was introduced by’ Governor’s Message on Thursday’. Some doubt existed in connection with the licensing action in reference to the ballot boxes at the national prohibition poll, explained the Prime Minister, and to clear away any ambiguity, an amendment had been framed to enable the appointment of a deputy returning officer for each the national prohibition and local option polls, in a 'place, or to enable the same offices to’, deal with both issues in the same way with the ballot boxes. The one box might be used for both issues, or one set apart for each where it was considered necessary. The mesent doubt that existed might, it had been found, result in the decision of the people on these .issues being set at nought. He also intimated that he Intended tn ask the House to repeal the first schedule of the Second Ballot Act, dealing with second ballots in scattered electorates. He was quite certain

unless the coming general election were deferred until the middle of January, it would be necessary- for all the second ballots to be taken on the same day. In the last few years the telegraphic and telephonic extensions and the transport improvements generally had been such that the facilities now afforded made it no longer necessary to give the longer interval between the two ballots, which was provided for in regard to nine or ten of the electorates. If this were agreed to it meant keeping the elections further away from Christmas. In reply to Mr. Malcolm, Sir Joseph Ward stated, with regard to the licensing poll, that, no matter which box a paper might be put in, the vote would remain valid. , Passing of the Volunteer. The passing of the old volunteer system, to make way’ for the new regime of universal military training, was the subject of special reference in the House last week, when the Prime Minister moved the following resolution: “That this House, on the establishment of the new defence scheme of universal training of the youth of the Dominion, desires to express its very , high appreciation of the services rendered by the New Zealand volunteer force, extending over a period of fifty years, the faithful service of the volunteers to the country under difficult conditions, and their loyalty at all times to the volunteer service under the defence system then existing in New Zealand, has been gratifying not only to Parliament but also to the country as a whole."’ Sir Joseph laid special emphasis upon the important part played by New Zealand volunteers in the South African War. Further eulogistic remarks were made by Mr. Massey. The resolution was agreed to. Mr. James Allen thanked the House on behalf of the volunteers, who, he declared, had been prepared to make any- sacrifice, and many of them had done so. He hoped that in the years to come they would see those who were called on to make sacrifices' do so ungrudgingly. After two or three years had passed by there would be nothing but gratitude for the introduction of the new system. Mr. Rhodes declared that the volunteer officers who had joined the new service would serve as loyally with the Territorials as they’ had done with the volunteers. Mr. Myers expressed the opinion, as a volunteer officer, that all those who had served in the past as volunteers, as well as thos'e who were nojv nierged in the Territorials, would appreciate the vote of thanks passed by the House, and in saying this he suggested that a copy of the resolution should be sent to the father of volunteering in New Zealand, Sir John Logan Campbell; for it was owing to his initiative action that the volunteer movement in this edfintry had come into being. He was sure Sir John would deeply appreciate stieh recognition. ’ ■ > Sir Joseph Ward sahl it would be desirable to have a system of communicating the' resolution in the different Centres.