PARS ON POLITICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 810, 14 September 1905, Page 26

PARS ON POLITICS.

The Leader of the Opposition last Friday night referred to the item on the Lands Estimates, “ Expenses of Royal Commission on the land tenure of the colony, £1000,” and asked what portion of the Commission’s expenses the item represented. He reckoned that each member of the Commission received about £5OO. It was the most wilful and wicked waste of money he had ever heard of. He moved to reduce the item by £l, as an indication that the Government should lay before the House a return showing in detail the cost of the Commission. The Minister said he could not give the amount, even approximately. It might, he said, in answer to a question, cost £15,000. Mr. Buchanan said the information must be known within a few pounds, and it should be given. Mr. Massey’s motion was lost by 27 votes to 19.

Speaking on the subject of the claims of old soldiers on Saturday morning, Mr. Massey urged that the Government should take more active steps to investigate and deal with these claims. The colony should not remain in the debt of these old soldiers, who were too independent to ask for the old age pension, and who only asked for the money to which they were justly entitled. Mr. Herries said it was time that the Government appointed a Commission to inquire into the claims of these old soldiers. Mr. Lang said that unless the Commission ■was more satisfactory than the last one, it would be of no use. The last inquiry, which cost £2OOO or £3OOO, was never' heard of by many claimants until it was too late, and the only claims which had been recognised in consequence of it were so strong that they could have easily been substantiated without it. He considered that when the Petitions Committee submitted a favourable recommendation in regard to a claim the Government should act in accordance with such recommendation.

At a meeting of the Liberal and Labour Federation (Auckland branch) last week, it was reported that Mr. W. A. Thompson, a candidate for City West

electorate, had withdrawn. Mr. Thompson, who was present, stated that a week ago he had no intention of withdrawing but he found that, if he were elected, bis business independence would be lost, and he would become a political loafer. He was sure no member of the Federation would like to see a member of it in the House under these circumstances. He had not withdrawn in favour of anyone, but any candidate that the Liberal party selected, not a tied candidate, but one advocating an advanced and liberal policy, he would support in a quiet way. He did not approve of Mr. Richardson’s name not being put on the ballot papers The Chairman reported that 593 ballot papers had been sent out for each district, the ones for Auckland East containing the one name, F. E. Baume; those for Auckland West, the names, T T. Masefield, C. H. Poole, and W. A. Thompson, and those for City Central the names, A. Kidd, A. Rosser, and T. H. Witheford. He also expressed the thanks of the branch to Messrs. Patterson and Thompson for retiring, and thus leaving the issue clear. Messrs. Rainey, Reeves, and Gulliver were appointed scrutineers, and, after the count, the result of the selection ballot was returned as follows:—City Central: Kidd. 435: Rosser, 18; Witheford, 50. City West Masefield, 479; Poole, 15; Thompson, 17. Citv East: Baume, 511; against. 2. Informal votes, 14. The president stated that the results would be forwarded < a the Premier, and the Premier’s opinion would be known next day.

The State Treasurer of New South Wales, in his Budget statement, says the current year will be the severest financially that State has yet had to encounter. The process of administrative reform during the past year have exhausted the channels of economy. They must economise or tax. On last year’s Estimates the Departmental economies effected amounted to £163,000, and the year closed with a surplus of £187,000. The estimated receipts for the coming year are £11,327,000, and the expenditure £11,407,000. He hopes to save £BO,OOO by Departmental economies, and £50,000 by legislation. The loan expenditure for the. past year was £3,633,000, of which £1,500,000 was spent on works, and the balance on renewals and repayments.

* A petition signed by some 200 natives in the North Island was presented to the House on Tuesday by Mr. xione Heke, protesting against the proposed native land legislation of the Government. The petitioners state that a report has reached them that the Government are drafting a Bill for the confiscation of their unutilised lands, and they ask that the measure be abandoned. They state that the Government have been the authors of restrictions placed upon their lands in the past, and that such policy on the part of the Government is the cause of their lauds lying idle, it having, they assert, debarred them from behig taken up under lease by Europeans who wished to do so. The petitioneis further state that they have made many requests to the Native Land Court to individualise their titles and subdivide their lands, but their requests have not been complied with. It is also pointed out that the Government Department which lends money to farmers is not available to Maoris. For these various reasons it is urged that the proposed Bill be abandoned.

As the outcome of the visit of the New Liberal party to Nelson, a petition is being circulated there for public signature, addressed to the House of Representatives, stating that as many elements of uncertainty exist in connection with the recent investigation by the AuditorGeneral in reference to the existence of the voucher which Messrs. Larcombe, West, Willis, and Lundon swear they saw, handled, and discussed, these elements of uncertainty should be removed by the immediate appointment of a judicial tribunal, before which a full and unrestricted public inquiry may be held, with power to call for persons, books, and papers, to examine witnesses upon oath, and the parties to appear personally or bv counsel.

A special meeting of the Auckland branch of the Independent Political Labour League was held at 23, Palmerston Buildings, last week, to select candidates for the City Central and Cite East electorates. The final selection resulted in Mr. J. Aggers being chosen for City Central and Mr, R. F. Way for City East. It was decided to communicate with all the unions in these electorates asking them to do their utmost

to secure the return of the pledged Labour candidates. It was also decided to send a copy of the league’s platform to all announced members standing in the other electorates of the Aucklan 1 ptovince, asking them to set forth in writing whether they will support it. The replies will be dealt with at next meeting.

The annual report of the Commandant (Major-General Babington) on the defence forces of the colony was presented to Parliament by (Mr. Seddon) the De fence Minister, last week. The Commandant gave vent to some free criticisms of the present state of the colony - defences. A decision on many important recommendations submitted, he considered as urgently required : —The The state of the mounted corps, with thj exception of one district, is reported be satisfactory. Application has been made to England for 16 15-pounder bat teiies, to complete the armament of the field batteries. The shooting of the field artillery was not as satisfactory as t should be, and more ammunition should be supplied for practice. The garrison artillery volunteer companies were efficient, but the shooting was indifferent The shooting of the infantry had impioved, but more instruction was needed in this as well as in scouting duties. The field hospital and bearer corps were still undermanned, and the medical equipments and attendance of medical officers at parade were not satisfactory. The equipment of the cadet corps was far from complete, and the capitation should be increased. The position of rifle club« should also be improved. He would submit proposals for improving the schools of instruction. The establishment of a supply and transport corps is advocated. The quality of the ammunition supplied by the Colonial Ammunition Company continues to be satisfactory, “hut.” adds the Commandant, “ I am still of opinio i that steps should be taken to establish an ammunition factory in the colony, to render it less dependent than it now is.’’ General Babington strongly urges bet ter organisation and equipment, and th* keeping of a trained staff for head quarters in each district. The idea that a man who can shoot is sufficiently trained is, he points out, an exploded one. His scheme for the reorganisation

of the force would produce a very muca I more efficient force than the existing ] one. He did not fancy the enforcement j of the Militia Act would be popular in t this colony, and if the country wishes i security and value for its money it must . accept either such proposals as will con- j duce to those ends, or militarism as part ■ of its Constitution. He considers that ; that part of the financial branch which I deals with direct disbursement to the I force should, as in the Imperial service, be under the Commandant.

On the subject of centralisation the Commandant speaks very plainly. H? sa y s: —The extreme centralisation now existing is most detrimental to efficiency. It destroys initiative, weakens authority, and causes most injurious delay. No business or institution, civil or military can be expected to flourish under such a system. The report says on this subject: — “ The election of company officers by corps is still continued, and I continue to most strongly condemn this system. Apart from its evil effects on discipline, it does not secure in many cases the most suitable men for the position of officers, and corps suffer in efficiency in consequence. There are too many cases in evidence to admit of doubt on this point.” In concluding, General Babington remarks:—“l would again most strongiv urge that steps be taken to put the defence force of this country in a fit state for service. Coalitions cannot all be foreseen, and the balance of power may be upset without warning. .The ques tion of the mastery of the Pacific is daily becoming a more momentous one. Vast interests are involved, and the protection of New Zealand will not be the only matter England will have to consider when complications arise. The whim f interests of any party or individual should not be allowed to influence the question of national security. The risk of displeasing a few is a very small matter compared with that of disaster to a country.”