POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14842, 6 December 1913, Page 13

POLITICAL NOTES

I ffrXCUl> TO "THE mtSS. , > ! December 5. STATE COLONIES; , Mr Atmoro to-day asked tho Prime Minister what steps the Government purposed taking in connexion with a resolution passed in 1911 by the Hospitals Conference requesting the Government to found Stat© colonies or farms where wastrels, confirmed drunkards and others could be sent for reformatory treatment. In reniy. Mr Massey said that it was not possible to do anything in the direction suggested.-during the present session, but the matter would be looked into during the rec»s with a Y i ev , t {i thought desirable, or legislation being introduced in the session of 1914. LOQAL BODIES' RAILWAYS.

The Minister of Public Works gave a hint to-day that there would be considerable developments in the future in relation to tho powers being extended to local bodies by the Railways Construction and Land Bill to construct railways on their own responsibility. In discussing • certain minor . amendments made- in the Bill by the Legislative Council, the Hon. W.Fraser said that nest session there would be another Biirto give such local bodies either separately or conjunctively the power to set un boards for the management of these railways, as it would be manifestly impossible for the local bodies themselves to control these railways in all details.' The present Bill, he explained, would enable such bodies as desired to jdo so to take the necessary initiatory steps, and then riest year additional powers would be given in another Bill.

SEDITIOUS TELEGRAMS. In tho regulations issued by the Postmaster-General for the control of the Telegraph Service, there is. a clause which gives the Department power to refuse telegrams couched in seditious or libellous Language. In tho time of recent stress it was found that the Minister had no power to make such regulations, and accordingly, when the Post and Telegraph Act Amendment Bill was before the Legislative Council the defect was remedied by inserting a new clause giving the Minister the required power. This was explained to the House this afternoon by the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes. Immediately that champion of RedFedism, Mr Payno, was hot npon the trail, demanding to know whether this would "interfere with telegrams or cablegrams passing between one labour body and another in the future ?" "Certainly.not," replied Mr Rhodes, "provided they are not couched in seditious or libellous language." NATIVE LAND BILL. In th© House early this morning, in committee on the Native Land Bill, Mr Parata" -moved an amendment, exempting the Greymouth leases from the Bill.'" Mr Herries said the Native Affairs Committee had passed a resolu-tion-that the Crown should purchase tho town of-Grey if the' Natives, were willing to sell. If the Natives Wero disposed to sell, he would be bound to buy, but there would be no compulsion. The amendment was lost. The Bill passed the committee stage at 2.45 a.m., and the third reading was postponed.