NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 886, 4 August 1910, Page 6

NEWS AND NOTES.

WHEN WILL THE DEBATE END? The probable duration ; of tho Financial .Debate is the subject of a good deal, of conjecture iu the lobbies. : Not a great deal of interest was in the proceedings , yesterday, owing to the fact that there were no big speeches. Of the Ministers, the Hons. J. A. Millar, R. M'Kcnzie,. D. Buddo, J. Carroll, and A. Ngata. have not contributed to the debate. On the Opposition. side, Mr. Hcrries is among thoso who have yet to speak. It ■is understood that the proceedings to-day will bo enlivened by- two important speeches at least. . Whether the debate will end this week is problematical, but many members are of opinion that it will. . NEW BILLS. Dr. Findlay has given notice that he will intioduee in the Council to-day the Oaths Bill, Destitute Persons Bill, and Crimes Bill. The Crimes Bill has reference to indeterminate: sentences.. ■ . ' Notice of intention to. introduce the Native Townships Bill was -given by the Hon. J. Carroll. . . . HARD ON LAWYERS. The Hon. AVi Pere, in the course of Us eulogy of the late Hon.' H. Scotland in the Council yesterday, ri'lerred to lawyers generally as the "agents of the devil, always trying to get money in all sorts of crafty ways." ■ ■ ■ The Attorney-General (the Hon. Dr. Findlay) suggested that such statements, which Mr. Wi. Pore appeared ready. to expand, were a little out of place on the motion that was before the Council.

■ The Speaker upheld the objection, and Mr. ,-Wi Pero explained that he had only made-the remarks because tho,late Mr. Scotland was a lawyer 'who was an exception Ito the rule.' . ~ •

ELECTION OF THE CHAIRMAN. .' Complaint was made by Mr. Massey jesterdav as to the delay in the election of a. Chairman of Committees. He said that fully' half-a-dozen-private Bills were stuck up because there was no chairman. .The.-Prime Minister.said the Houso would have, an opportunity of electing a chairman as soon as the Financial .De--1 bate, was over, which would 'probably •be in two or three days. Until it was over no private Bills could come before the Hoiise. : '.'■■■_

Members: Oil, yes. ' . . Sir Joseph":' Well, there has been no inconvenience, and there will not be. i It was* reported in tho lobbies yesterday that at the next Government caucus, when the question of appointing another Ministerialist "nominee", for the position of Chairman'of Committees will be discussed, Government members will vbe asked to give their snpport to Mr. Hanan, M.P. for Invercargill.;." KING COUNTRY AND THE LIQUOR •■-..'. LAW. Speaking to a "Dominion, reporter yesterday, Mr. Jennings stated that if a Licensing Act Amendment Bill is brought down this session he .will seek to have the local option system extended to the King Country. He pointed out that there was scarcely a white man in that part of the .colony when restrictive- legislation ■■ in regard to tho liquor question was enacted.- Year by year the King Country had been growing with rapid strides, with the result, that to-day it contained more, whito. people than Natives. It was interesting also to note that ; the Natives had- since taken up their residences chiefly- about . Huntly, Ngiiruawnhlt, and Waitara, which wero beyond the limits'of. the prohibited areas. In view of. the new, position that had arisen, Mr.- ,I'eunings ■ said thore was absolutely no justification for withholding from the residents of tliii King Country tho same rights and • privileges under the licensing law as wcro 'afforded to the rest of the people of. tho Dominion.

A LAND BOARD APPOINTMENT. "I am proud," remarked Mr. Smith, M.P. for Kaugitikej, lust night, "at having, taken.-u prominent part in.helping Mr Georgetti to obtain a position on the 'Wellington land Board.-" (Mr. Georgetti, it should bo mentioned, was ono of Mr. Smith's opponents at the Eangililiui nlention. hut wus defeated ut the first poll.) Mr. Smith went on to say .that Jlv. Georgetti was, a really! first-class settler, and a good townsman --a practical and"reliable man. "I repeat," added Mr. Smith, "that I am proud to say that t did my very best to havo him placed on the board. 1 know I won't have any.cause for regret, for tho Land Board never hod a more practical and trustworthy member than Sir. Gcorgetlt." WANTED: A POLICY. 'Sir William Steward, who is a loyal supporter of the Government and a leaseholder, entered a mild remonstrance last evening against the Government's lack of policy on the land question. He said that lie would like to see the Ministry come down with a determined policy—not a revolutionary policy, but one of steady advance on well-thought-out lines. Ho believed that it made for-the disintegration of the Liberal party that it should keep its ear to the ground too much to-find out what the constituencies were wanting and bring down measures •that would suit the popular taste. It was necessary on some occasions to consider public opinion, but they wanted the leaders of the Hoiiso to lay down definite principles and stand firmly by them, even though the cost of final victory might be present defeat. PLEA FOR MORE MINISTERS. An unusual plea for more Ministers wns made in the House by Sir William Steward (Waitaki) last evening. Sir William said he thought (hat tho Prime Minister had too heavy i hurdeu on his shoulders in tho number of portfolios that he had to administer, He administered them marvellously well, the 6neaker

thought, but it was not humanly possible to sccuro that at all times. There should bo promptitude in transacting the thousand and one matters he had to attend to. More especially was it impossible to (leal promptly at all times with' Government business when one considered 'thn great amount of travelling done by Ministers. He did not object to their travelling, but ho thought that Ministers were overworked, and though nothing had been said of it, ho thought that the Ministry ought to be strengthened by at least a couple more members. What.was a matter of .£2OOO a year compared with the efficient administration of the- country? MR. M'LAREN ON MR, FISHER. In the House yesterday Mr. M'Laren (Wellington East) replied to a challeugo irom Mr. Fisher (Wellington Central) that he should contest his seat if lie wanted to know anything about his political principles. "When members heard the challenge," commented .Mr. M'Laren,

"some of them might havo thought that Mr. Fisher was looking for a fight. But that is not so. No, ho was merely looking for an advertisement. . Hβ has tried it before, but he tried it on a .man of a different nationality than l myself. When I want to go into any fight I won't leave it' to my opponent to make tho arrangements. (Laughter.) Subsequently Mr. M'Laren had another tilt at Mr. Fisher. "I was amused," he said, "to hear Mr. Fisher advise members 1 to travel about the country during the recess and inspect the public undertakings' that are being proceeded with in various districts. Why, as far as I can make, out, Mr. Fisher spends most of. tho recess playing lawn tennis. (Laughter.) He has no more interest in viewing public works or in practising hard work than any other member. It is simply a matter of posing—just to give him a. chance to show bis histrionic ability as an actor."

JOTTINGS. "This is from. The Dominion, therefore it's bound to be correct."—Mr. Witty, a Government supporter, quoting a Dominion report in the House on Tuesday evening. '■'■'■ : . "There are 1G Scotsmen-ten Radicals and six Conservatives—in this House," remarked. Mr. Laurenson on Tuesday. "But what are your viuva ou this question?" queried Mr. M'Laren before. Mr. Fisher had got properly uiider way on Tuesday night. In reply, Mr. Fisher said: "If you walk into my district at the end of next year I shall be glad to inform you."

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. SOME INTERESTING MATTERS. In the course of a reply to Mr. Wright the Hon. Dr. Findlay states that the Salvation Army, which owns the home at Pakatoa, intends to erect a much larger institution on an adjoining island, and when this has been completed: it is hoped that- there will lie sufficient accommodation to , meet all requirements for some time to come.

The Prime Minister states, in reply to Mr. T. E. Taylor, that in view of a decision of. the Court of Appeal there is no power to, issue a Eoyal Commission to inquire into charges of illegal and corrupt practices in connection with , Ohinemun licensing matters. /Asked by Mr. T. Ej Taylor as to whether liu is aware that tho polico experience difficulties in enforciug the provisions ■of the Motor Regulation Act, 1908, tor want of regulations, being gazetted by an Ordcr-ni-Council as provided for in tho Act; ami whether he will in the interests of public safety have such Or-der-in-Council made, the Hon. D. Buddo states that an Order-in-Couiicil making the necessary regulations' has been prepared and will lie gazetted- shortly. ■ . To Mr. Poland tho. Government replies that it is considering proposals connected with the development of tho oilindustry in Taranaki, and also as to bringing the industry, under control. The Government have for- some time offered a bonus of 3d. per gallon for the first 500,000 gallons oC refined oil. This will iio doubt, be prrtd to the company which nrst produces the requisite quantity According to a reply given by the Prime Minister to Mr. Brown it would create an. invidious distinction- if New" Zealand veterans over the ago of C 5 arc granted old age pensions irrespective of their circumstances. There are. many 'old soldiers on the old age pensions roll and iio doubt there are many veterans who uo not need the old age pension.