POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18421, 30 June 1925, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES

ISIECIAL TO "THE TBESS."} WELLINGTON", June 23. Fusion. Although fusion >-- understood to bo still under discussion by tho Liberals, nothing further has been announced. Tho Liberal Party met again to-day, and in the evening it was stated thai tho meeting had been adjourned until to-morrow morning. One Parliamentarian of long stamping expressed the opinion to-dar that fusion before the election was about the least likely thing in the political world. He is strongly of opinion that there will be no agr-jement arising out of the conferences which haT© been recently meeting. Another member expiessed his disappointment at tho prevalent idea that some of tho Liberals want office more than they desire fusion. As far as can be judged tho Reformers are sitting quiet, waiting for tho Liberals to make the next move. Poison Gas. The Addington Workshops is a spot where men are being slowly poisoned if Mr E. J. Howard (Christehurch South) is to be believed. At the workshops, said Mr Howard to-night, there were electrically-driven machines which were lying idle, while the other machines were being employed. There was no reason why the electric machines should not be used, but the Department put all kinds of difficulties in the way, and all the time tho men were being poisoned by gas. Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne): Question. Mr Howard: The hon. gentleman says question, but I don't mean his kind of gas. (Laughter). If he took producer-gas he would not be here much longer. I should like to be asked to give a sample and try it on my honourable friend. (Laughter.) An Echo of the War.

Christian Kiehle, of Auckland, a naturalised British subject years before tho war, who was imprisoned on Somes . Island and had a bad ear which was not treated until too late at Trentham Military Hospital, appeals to Parliament to . compensate him for tho lasting injury done him. He has since had to have several operations, and is suffering so acutely that it is impossible for him to hear and earn a living. He says he has always valued his privileges as a naturalised British subject. Christchurcli Petitions! John Kicherly, of Lower Styx road, Marshland, is petitioning Parliament for compensation for £l3O for stock, implements, etc., seized by tho Government and sold without his knowledge or permission privately from tho Ishwurta Settlement, Hinds, where his ton iria holding a section. Tho son •'flatly . denies ever having given a bill of sale - over my stuff," adds petitioner. Hl* son was "on the place three years <m top of three years at the war, and canrt out a beggar and in ill-health." Maria Dowds, of 380 St. Asaph street, r Christchurch, who had to retire __ from school teaching as a result of an injury in an accioent when returning from school in 1901, is asking Parliament fo* relief. New Bills. In the House to-night leave "was given to introduce tho following Summer Timo (Mr Sidey) and Beiigious Exercisos in Schools (Mr Isitt), Mr Myntcith gr.ve notice to intro- £ d'uee tho Harbour Board Act Amendment Bill. " '■■:? Direction Finders. | The Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister i of Marine told the House to-night j that direction finders would be installed at Auckland and at Wellington, ~ and Lyttelton, where they, wonid be of 'J value to tho ferry steamers in case of Gas Plant at Addiagton. Somo Canterbury members complaintd * during tho discussion on the Imprest Supply Bill that workmen" in the Addington shops wcro being poisoned by tho fumes from tho producer gas osed to work machines that should be worked by electricity. __ . \ MrjCoatos said he had been informed that tho trouble had been caused by the use of bad coal, and that since coke had ■ been, used the,fumes were not bad and ',£ the trouble had been stopped There 5 was no use putting in electric machines now that tho whole shop had to bo ; altered. Mr Howard said tho machines were already in the shops, but there were no transformers. Mr Coates: "I'm sorry they are there at all, for the whole thing has to berooted out. As a matter of faet the shops aro not fit for the work." With up-to-dato shops there was no doubt the , men would give them a better output. To put in electricity temporarily wonld be a wasto of timo and money. Ho hoped they would not ask him to elee- - trify tho shops as they were at present.