POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18418, 26 June 1925, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES.

(srr.cui, to ' rns rr.Es?" WELLINGTON, J::k- 2'j. No-Confidenco Amendment. Perhaps the mo.-t ir.ivrestinj itoai flashed across the floor of the House this afternoon was contributed by Mr Holland, who. after giving amnio opportunity tor Mr Wilford to wove aa amendment to the Addrcss-Ln-Rcply, took the opportunity him.self, and tho position at, present is that. what is kaown as the no-confidence amendment will come from the Labour benches. Mr Holland's amendment, to tho Ad-drcss-in-.Keply is that tho following words ho added to the motion of the member tor Franklin: —'"But we deota ii ...u- ib'.ty to repre.-er,t to your Excellency thai yo'.:r Excellency's ad\iser-i <!;> net tiosm-s the lemtdeiuo e£ thw liou>c."" ' Fusion. The lli.onu U u;y v;!! meet, in camera en Friday ovenm-. when various matters ai interest will Ik- diseussed. Most likely tho question of fusioa vGH crop i'!>. The. Liberals will also meet in caucus and -will discuss the itiMon question.

Christelnircli-Grcymcuth Train Service. Mr J. O'Brien (Westland) will ask iho Minister of Railways whether ho will explain the reason of the frequent breakdowns of the electric signalling system on the Christchurch-Groymouth railway, and whether this system shows any saving to liie Department since it, was installed. 110 states that tho West Coast express is often held up for an hoar by tho failure of the electric signals to work. Mr Armstrong gave neiiee to ask tho Minister of Railways whether, in view of tho numl>or of empty trains running from Christehurch to Greymonth T he will redt-'oe freight charges for the purposo of inducing people to send goods by train that at present are carried in ships while trains Yun empty ; j

Grey Electric Power Board. Mr O'Brien will ask tho Minister of Fublie Works whether ho will have an enquiry niado iuto the reports on hydro-electric and steam schemes submit ted t 0 the Grey Klectrio Power Board by tho National Electric Gampa ny? 11© says the reports received by tho Grey Board from this company were very contradictory, and the ratepayers woro compelled to accept a steam scheme, contrary to their wishes. Ratepayers desirin? electricity should he safeguarded by tho Government. Wcsu Coast Pioneers Mr O'Brien has given notice of thsj following question: Whether tho Government will bring in legislation this session so that several of tho old p:oaeors of the West Coast may receive tho increase of 2s 6d per week in the old ago pension passed by Parliament Jfist session ? Hfe alleges that tha Pensions Department have refused the increase to some of tho pensioners because they were living in a hut which was not their own, and to others because they got a few sleepers or sj few ounces of gold in two to five years. Jottings. The House without Mr Massey seemed scarcely a House at all. It will tafca evcrj-one a time to get nscd to his absence.

Mr 11. A. Wright (Wellington' Suburbs) gave notice to ask the PostmasterGeneral if his attention had been called to the very low wages paid to night messengers, many of whom were return. cd soldiers. They had been raised from £3 13s 4d to £3 19s 9d, "but still did not consider themselves millionaires.

Labour members asked a host of questions pointing to a desire for increases in tho various kinds of State pensions at great cost to tho country. Mr 8.6. Smith (New Plymouth) also touched oa tho pension subject, wishing to laosr if anything had been done in the recess toward tho introduction of universal pensions.

The chief thing in the House this afternoon was "the bombardment." The bombardment (so called by those •who have to record it) is the hail of questions shot at Ministers from all quarters of tho House. There wera nearly seventy, and they fell with a tattoo on the Treasury benches. Some of tho questions and notices were familiar—well .known to the newest member and the oldest inhabitant. They will be answered when Ministers feel inclined.

Mr J. Edie, member for Clutba, who has been in bad health for some time, was granted leave of absenco from the House of Beprescntativcs for four days.

Mr "Witty gave notice of a question about the electrification of the Lyt**lton tunnel, and Mr Forbes indicated that lie would press for the completion of the South Island main trunk railway.

Mr O'Brien wants second class railway tourists tickets at a redueed rate. At present tho concession is to first class tourists.

Sir John Luke, who recently toured South Africa as a representative of tiw New Zealand Legislature, wishes to know whether tho Prime Minister will communicate with the South African Government with a view to nicking a reciprocal agreement between Xew Zealand and South Africa "in order tftat there may bo an increase in the interchange of products." Protection for industries, particularly the woollen industrv, is sought bv the lion. L>. Buddo.

The- llent .Restriction legislatioa Tfhich at present figures on the fctatate Book was in the minds of ono or t»* members. They want to know if tl» legislation 13 to be further extended. Cheap money to build houses is ad* voeated" by Mr J£. MeKeeu. Mr Gilbert McKay, the serious-look- . ing member for Hawke's Bay, wants to know if provision will be made fot * greater n:imber of lady dentists, so that they will be available for school clinic* in the country. Mr \\\ A. Yeiteh. or.oe a railwayman, considers that all sp.'eded-up trains should b3 compelled to have tha latest, and most effective AVestinghouse f brake appliances. Mr Sidey has asked -or a return giving particulars of the charge?, net yield, etc., in connexion with the recent loan. A basic wage more in keeping wita the cost of living than what is now paid, was one of the desires of ilr Parry. The Hon. A. T. Ngata wants to know whether the. Government will this rear, heinji the election year, introduce !egi-~ tion affording Maori electors the. opportunity of voting on the issues submitted to th" ''akeha elector* on the licensing question.