QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 292, 3 September 1908, Page 9

QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

SHEEP SHEARERS AND LABOURERS. With a touch of irony yesterday Mr. Lewis (Courtonay) put this question to the Minister for Labour: Whether Jib would endcavour to induce his colleague the Minister for Railways and for Public Works to procitlo for co-operative labourers and men employed upon th» railways the same standard of 'accommodation as tho Shearors' Accommodation Bill sought to provide for shearers; or, in tho alternative, would he amend tho said Bill in tho direction of establishing tiio •same standard of accommodation for

shoarers as a Liberal Government provides for its employees? The Minister's reply was brief: Full inquiry would bo made. Mr. Massey drew attention to the accommodation provided for co-operativo workers on the Main Trunk line, which, ho said, had been scandalous. Mr. Gray: That is true! Mr. Massoy also recalled tho accounts that had been given of the accommodation to which a co-operative relief gang had been taken at Broken River. Generally, tho accommodation provided by the Government was quito inadequate, and in this a good example was not being shown to tho private employer, though the latter was compelled to make elaborate provision. Replying to theso remarks, tho Hon. W. Hall-Jones (Minister for. Railways) said that tho habitation of tho co-operative worker dopended largely upon himself. It was within his power to make himself very comfortable. Moreover, a co-operative camp was in ono placo ono month and away in the next. In tho case of shearers, tho accommodation remained for all time, and was occupied year after year. He detailed what had been done for the convenience of tho Broken River co-operatives. KILBIRNIE POST OFFICE. The delay in tho erection of tho post office at Kilbirnie lias been due (so Sir. Barber was informed by tho Postm&ster-General) to inability to procure a certain site. Negotiations wero proceeding. Mr. Barber mado a joke of the answer ho had elicited. Ho would impress upon tho Postmaster-General that ho should do something to procuro a sito. Ho (Mr. Barber) would undertake to find a sito. (Laughter.)Ho objected to tho postal and money order business of Kilbirnie being transacted through a store. The publicity, which was unavoidable, was undesirable. The Primo Minister recognised . all that Mr. Barber had done in tho matter, but a great difficulty had been experienced in tho matter of a site. "The matter of a daily mail service to" the Ohariu Valley is being inquired into." —Tho Postmaster-General to Mr. Field. "Tho Public Service Classification Board is practically, an Appeal Board in tho matter of salaries and positions of officers in tho Public Service." —The Postmaster-General's reply to Mr. Barclay's suggestion of an Appeal Board for departments that have not already got them.

A reply of some interest to local business pcoplo was given by Sir Joseph Ward to Sir. W. T. Wood. Tho latter asked tho Post-master-General whether, when the copper wire to Levin was completed, it would be extended to Palmerston North, in order to increaso telephone facilities; and,would tho condition of tho long - wire between Palmerston. North and Wanganui, which at present was inferior, bo so improved as to meet all reasonable requirements? Tho Minister's reply was that there was already a metallic, circuit between Levin and Palmorston North, and when tho circuit from Wellington and Levin was completed, provided it was not filled with local work from the Shannon and Levin districts to Wellington, Palmerston North might have tho use of it to Wellington as a second circuit. Thero were two telephono circuits between Palmerston North and .Wanganui, which also carried tho business from Feilding aud Marton, but as Wanganui *nd Palmerston North business averaged only fifteen spoken communications - a diy tho wire accommodation wns considered to bo quite sufficient at present. • Arrangements are to ba mado for trials at somo local olectioii • of automatic voting machines. Mr. J. Stevens was informed yesterday that tho selection of a coat-of-arms for tho Dominion would bo mado within the next two months. Designs wero before tho Cabinet.

"The officers of the Department havo been instructed to pay special attention to tho question of the sale of tobacco after 8 p.m. by Chinese storekeepers," said the Minister for Justice to Mr. I'isher. When tho provision referred to was passed the Department sent out notices to all tho shopkeepers affected, which were to bo posted up for tho information of tho . public as well a3 tho shopkeepers themselves. Tho Wellington Inspector also called on each Chinese shopkeeper, informing him of tho provisions of the section, and warned him against selling such articles after hours. Subsequently two Chinamen wero discovered by tho inspector selling tobacco after hours, and irero prosccuted and fined. Since then no broaches liavo been detected. NEWS AND NOTES. In reporting on the case of a petitioner yesterday,, tho M to Z Commitreo recommended that tho Government, in cases whero local bodies sell any property for the nonpayment of rates in deceased estates, should tako such steps as will ultimately lead to a. reform in tho law dealing with tho matter so that s.uch estates may not bo sacrificed. CHRISTCHURCH-LYTTHLTON RAILWAY. In submitting tho report of Mr. John Coom (Chief Engineor of tho Railway Department) and Mr. A. L. Coatty (Chief Mechanical Engineer) on the electrification of tho Christchurch-Lyttolton ltailway, Mr. T. Ilonayno (General Manager of llailways) says that tho electrification was demanded chiefly on account of tho smoko ''nuisance in tho tunnnel. This could bo got over by tho uso of oil fuel. Tho cost, however, would be heavy, although very much loss than tho increased interest charges if the line wero electrified. In tho event of tho Government deciding to electrify tho lino, it was advised that tho services of a special expert bo employed from abroad. Tho report is an exhaustive one, evidence being introduced from various sources. The cost would be £134,000, allowing £13,400 for 'contingencies. This would bo equal to £11,338 per mile of single track. The anuual charges would be, say, £24,909. If tho existing stock wero drawn by electric motors, the capital cost would be reduced by £15,000, and tho annual charge by £1125. SHEEP RETURNS. The sheep returns for tho year ended April 30,, 1908, show a net increase in tho North Island of 778,183, and in tho South Island of 637,098, making a total net increase for the Dominion of 1,405,281. Tho total number of sheep in tho Dominion was 22,449,053, there being 10,816,852 in tho South Island and 11,632,201/ in tho- North Island. The districts tablo shows tho numbers as follow: —Auckland, 923,807; NapierGisborne, 5,446,761; Wellington-West Coast, 5,261,633; Marlborough-Nelson, 1,191,997; Canterbury-Kaikoura, 5,306,916; Otago, 4,317,939. Tho numbor of breeding owes increased from 10,736,846 to 11,244,041, as compared with tho previous year. Tho grand total of nearly 22J millions is easily a record for tho Dominion.

Mr. Herries wants tho Minister for Lands to cxpedito tho issuing of authorities to survoy Native land, as tho delay in issuing authorities to surveyors after tho Nativo applications liavo been sent in causes loss to the nominated surveyors and tho Natives as well. In two cases brought under tho member's notice the applications had been six and four months respectively beforo tho Survcyor-Goncral, and authorities woro not yet issued. Mr. Jennings states that somo early residents of Now Zealand left tho country', owing to dopression and other causes, - and subsequently returned. Somo can prove over forty years' residence, but, owing to a break, are debarred from getting tho pension. To meet these cases Mr. Jennings suggests that tho Old A go Pensions Act should bo amended so that persons who can provo residonco for forty years and over in New Zealand, but who liavo boon out of tho Dominion for a few years, may obtain tho pension if their circumstances demand it. Mr. T. Mackonzio is .to ask tho Minister ..for Hallways whether ho will inquire into

tho necessity that exists for fitting up a railway-van with a bed, methc'al'and surgical outfit, and hot-water appliances,"\vith heater, wlieyo a limb might be set _or,-iirst_aid given in accident cases. A return presented to thq.,Hous'o shows, the following quantities of' Ofcgoff pino ds'; having been imported to tne jiof't lington for tho past four years!: 73,900 superficial feet sawn .nnfl,-Jieyrti jjjm:' ber; 1905-6, 803,030 superficial '.fect.;..l9t)!w, 585,760 laths and shingles,. 1 789,525'" ficial feet timber; 1907-8, 1,584,622 latlW'and 1 ' shingles,<3o round logs, 2,6t3,921-f SttpeYficial" feet timber. ' HTonrO & ■ Mr. Field has given notice;,^as}i t thfj 6p--,. vermnent whether, in of . tho Stato sawmill at Kakalii, th'e usual royalties and other outgoings"p.iftt"'By tft"i-° vate millers are charged against tho'tnlll;"or whether tho Stato mill has ;J)egnU.changed-; only with cost per aero of %, a ; Mr. Barber will ask tho ' whether he will ascertain from* th'e 'classiffca" tion beard whether the cla'ssification of the Civil Service place before Parliament thjs r.sessioiir;- and, J if hot, will he make provision in: theisupple-,, mentary _ estimates for an 0 pay of civil servants as the scheme of classification..• . • ' TCi-.i-i-T.) i'i "o; A return showing the engineer's ■ estimate' of tho cost of building Galley railway was presented, yesterday, Three routes weje( dfialj; witta ; as' follows: —No. 1, £99,580, per''mile-V No. 2, £145,310, or, £5382 per mile;~No. 3, £180,500, or £5015 per mile CHEAP RAILWAY FARES. •' • •

SOME INTERESTING CONTENTIONS.,^ i "As season tickets at half' ; tjfc Urates.;b'f' ordinary season tickets can,' ortly be taken advantage of by those in emjplo';[ , ittent i: as' : 'Sp-' prentices, ; pupil-teachers, ar'Meff , Ble , rl&, young persons whoso age 'doSsi'mit eicd6c{ m twenty-one years, upon production 'bf^a"dftrtf' ! ficate from bis or 'her employee-will ; tlie ' Minister issuo amended regulations 'extend- 1 ing the benefits of chcap fires so,, as .to enable a greater number of workers' to TSfktf" advantage of the cheaper means _ of-living and tho healthier conditions surrounding. 'life .in country districts?"— Mr. Ell (Christchurch), Tho Minister's' reply waS'' "Persons living at a point distant ten failed from their work can obtain a'monthly season; ticket, available for travel "dviry' day.' thaitrains are running and as "often.'-aft desired upon those days, for 19s. 6d.', which is' equal to a charge of 4 l-sd. per..tiripj'..'calculated on two trips per day. . . A'auarteHy. trckel for a similar distance on "the/' "sarii<r* baslS' would cost 3Jd. per trip, which is cq.ua.l .to, l-3d. per mile. For fifteen miles ajnonffily' ticket can bo obtained for'2ls".'," or 5 l-7d. per trip, equal to l-3d. per- mile'.' ~ A quarterly ticket for tho same distance .-costs ,585„.. or 4 l-7d. per trip; barely.-2-7d. per-.mile. For twenty miles a monthly-ticlcot costs"26s. ; 6d., or s|d. per trip; practically, : 'jf( f .;ipor ( .' mile. A quarterly ticket f<jr .the samp.-.dis:; tanco costs 655.-6 d., or 4|d. per,trip; slightly under Jd. per mile. . It cannot bp ;contended that these rates form any bar tpo.trarel.j a^d ;i when it is borne in mind that thpy addition to tho specially low-.rates ftjr ; ,woj;k-; ers' tickets available by .trains., reaching* destination up to 8 a.m., I am ,of opinioji tljatjj tho existing rates and facilities meet, quiremonts of all classes." ,:.•>« On this matter Mr. Massey (Leader ,Q£vthe Opposition) said he -felt thi? Minister tiad: not gone far enough. Manx,workersi,can)q-; into tho cities at 9 o'clock whoso,;yrige3 Tf.eroi less than the 8 o'clock workers,.-' -i-'eti.they-ivero called upon to pay doubk tho. fare latter paid! He was. speaking smote .par-: ticularly of - small .-.cmf ployment started at 9 o'cloqkci «s v 'jDii'iThe Minister for Railways/isaidoke lcnew[ of no country in tho world -ivhia'CiiMlo jjjpst of workers' tickots was as 10.wi,-as iiviiNew Zealand. Ho showod the • difficulty, rfo discriminating between bona-fido>iworkers'iaiid impostors if a 9 a.m. train, weroihtt/.i iTh'eio? would not-be sufficient of foimoc" v -»toiii justify tho ruuning of tbesoj.traSnsafle.weat on to say that a third-class '.ja'ssenger'tbo; tween London and Edinburgli!!(4oo "miles)' would pay more than-a secondrckss .traveller between Auckland and Wellipglon (426' miles). -These advantages wero • gir.en.ii in.: spite' of tho higher cost of materials here,- and tho fact'that much of this mnterial had to-bo brought from Home. . v.bi'l/" ,-

The Prime Minister said-,thai in,time tho suburban areas would contaiifsnfficiont-pcopla to cniblo the suburban rates sto; <be lowered:; He looked forward to that'time. ment had great responsibilities ta.'.caneat in tho way of rendering thr, riilfrays .'pay!able. . • ici> .jjx-arfe. t Mr. Herries denied - that «ith©.iiopp6sition: were trying to make party capital out-of > tho railways. He said thd-1 railways had not been increasing in earning capacity.' toJ the same extent as in Australia. .The_reasons should bo sought. His imprejsjqn V?sthfit ; moTe attention should be pa!ff'lto ft tho pas-' senger traffic. This could best be-dono..By : lowering tho rates of snbnrtfan.'iirsvelling',: becauao N greater passenger Arkfficitfcoul&'ib'bi induced. ! Tho suburban servicesffihonld' be 1 miich moro frequent-than how..'; its,passenger.traffic that NeW"Zealaud ; licked'' increase. He quoted figures :.to;ißhote this.;* .Certainly .to suggest that Opposition'.were Booking political capital these things out was all "irii'the -game/'-' as' far as the Government were concernedj-but' was not fair to 'the Opposition..;;.ui ( THE RAILWAY CLASSIFICATION;'t ITS PRESENTATION The "D. 3 Li6t",is : tho official 'title-of-'-tlle • Railway Classification list. v ; Yesterday in theHouso of Representativofci'' Mr. Massey again" asked tho- Minister- for Railways when it would bo submitted;' More than usual interest attached i'to:~ it" this! year on tho party of railway.employees;.'rMariViOf them had, he had been toldj"-good"rcasDn to" foci that they had'not been properly treatedunder the Classification' Act bf..l»st'year;'iTihs late period at which the Aet^was,introduced, last year had prevented it going to'.tho Railways Committee, before which- it should 'haTobeen laid for full consideration; andi tho ts-k*-'-ing of evidence. In this omission .members-, had felt they had not been properly!,treated..' lie. believed-ho was right in'saying; that'.tjioj! report this year was considerably titter," tharfusual. He would- suggest.thatithoiMinistert hurry up-its production, and [that.]tutoij±lien-i submitted to tboi Railway Committee,' and. further that-railway .to' express their opinions to the Cpjmaitteo ~ou; tho working of tho Act of last year. This, would enable anomalies to bo. removed. Tho Hon. W. Hall-Jones y (Minister .;for Railways) said that the list, had been helS back to enablo it -to be ajT/completo this year as possible. There were'difficulties this year that had not been met witlivbeforo- iiithe inclusion of temporary clijrks.,'.,of,.-..fivo. years' service. This had necessit;ate ; 4.,coipniU,i, uieation with all tho district . 'offices,V,which. had'all taken time. The Government only been able to deal April 1. The Bill, of last JSarj&i.iWactj-.J C3IW rwnnf, t' %•' ,' .j1 TllO rrimo Minister said tup, J.veaaer;ot-.tfio f Opposition had been trying io expense of tho jHp, that many interests had .to bp.guarded classification, and- tho difficulties" involved wore well-known to the railway, i 't|i«rin selves. He believed an impression ;lia4'l>Mn, sought to bo created that bad been forced to do the scheme. This was not sp.- „Tj(ej I in the House could not force a-largo-Govern-. Mont majority to make ",tKp scheme that had been set forth'.'.'jho Pre.; mier added that he had bepn rpacly to exercise reasonable railway men. It was extraordinary, in'tho Houso and 011 tho tion spoke against increasing tho Consojidatcd'' expenditure, and yet they wcfol'lieartT adro» eating increases in the raihrt£j.scrylco.,*t Hodid not know whether. much .jioticoshould bo taken, because, after all, part of ths game." (Laughter.)