NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 894, 13 August 1910, Page 7

NEWS AND NOTES.

THE VACANT CHAIRMANSHIP. The bolnted contest to fill tho position of, Chairman of Committees is almost certain to take place next week. As to which Ministerialist will find most favour with the Government party there is still a great conflict of opinion. It was rumoured in the lobbies last night that in tho end it is moro than likely that Mr. Laurenson, late senior Government Whip, will bn relied upon by tho Government party to prevent Mr. Frasor, tho Opposition member from. Wakatipu, from gaining the coveted honour. In the event of Mr. Laurenson not being willing to stand for tho position, for health reasons, it is considered that Mi: Hanan, of Invercargill, will havo a good deal of support.

WHAT MEMBERS WANT TO KNOW. A return showing (1) tho numbered names of oflicers in,the Defence Force receiving houso-allowanco; (2)- the amount, of snoh allowance in each case; and (3) whether the officers aro married or single, is desired by Mr. Okey. The member for Otaki (Mr. Field) is asking tho Minister for Kailwuys whether ho has' givon' oonsidoration to the request, recently made to him, that at least one stopping and booking-place be provided botweon Wellington and I'almerston North for the Auckland express. ' ■ Mr. Field intends to ask tho'.Minister, for Railways whother ho will havo a siding constructed at tho Pukerua railway station for the use of settlers, both 'Native and European,. residing in that locality who havo no access by road. . Mr. Wright will'.move that, there bolaid before tho Bouso a return showing: (1) The number of. permanent and casual employees engaged •in the first division of tho ' Railway Department during the year ended March 31, 1910; and (2) the number- of .permanent and casual employees engaged in the second 'division of tho Railway Department during the year ended March 31, 1910. Mr. Koss is to ask the PostmasterGcmirul whether ho will issue .instructions to the Department in "Wellington, advising it .to-cease, compelling the public to plnco stamps on telegrams before being banded to the officer. AVcllington, -he states, is tho only place in New Zealand where tho public aro compelled to_ stamp telegrams.' Mr. Hino is to aslc tho Minister for. Piibhu Works whether provision will bo mado for a substantial increaso in tho 'appropriations this session for 'the prosecution oF the Stratford-Ongaruo railway line, so that a largo section of the settlers in tho Ohura district may bo enabled to participate in the benefits of.railway communication with their nearest stock market and seaport. JOTTINCS. "I would like to see a vote takoii to seo how many members aro in favour of a non-party Parliament."—Mr. Clark, in tho Houso yesterday. Tho Attorney-General will move in the Legislative Council on Wednesday night the- deletion of tho name of tho Hon. H. Gilinor from tho Public Petitions Committee, and tho substitution of tho namo of tho Hon. A. Baldie in its place. \ In consequence of tho special Parliamentary trip'to tho Auckland Winter Show, the Legislative Council, when it roso yesterday, adjourned until next Wednesday afternoon. "Do not let us think so badly of our fellow-men as to imagine, that the mere fact of the accumulation of wealth prevents them from feeling that they owe something to help those allied or related to them from being dependent- on charity. aSome 'lion, gentlemen seem to lose their heads whenever they speak of the wealthy.. They seem to think tho wealthy aro different men from themselves, that they share none of-their virtues, and that they aro -liable to ignore, all moral responsibility."—Tho Hon. 0. Samuel, during his speech oh the Destitute Persons Bill.

An interjection made by tho Hon. H. M'Kenzic when Mr. Hardy was reading from one- of the Minister's Departmental reports prompted tho member for Selwyn to remark facetiously that ho was not as good a lay-reader as a minister. Tho suggestion of tho burly Minister for Mines as a minister of religion was too much for. the gravity of tho House. "The retrenchment business was the most disagreeable affair that I hapo over had to deal with, and I hope and trust that'it will never recur again." —Hon. It. M'Kenzie in his Budget speech last night. - ■ \ '' '