NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 904, 25 August 1910, Page 5

NEWS AND NOTES.

WITHOUT FOUNDATION. ' A rumour to the effect ■ that Mr. E. Newman, member for Manawatu, had decided not to seek re-election next year, has been in circulation during the past day or two, the alleged reason for this'being, according to the rumour, that Mr. Newman's health had given way under tho strain of his Parliamentary duties.' When questioned yesterday as to whether there was any truth in the rumour, Mr- Newman gavo it an unqualified denial, remarking that nothing was further from his thoughts. He had certainly not been well'of late, but his indisposition had been nothing but an attack of the. prevailing influenza: l .■•

PURE MILK SUPPLY. The Hon. Dr. Collins lias given notice of his intention to move in the Legislative Council:—"That,, in the opinion of this Council, it is necessary to ensure a purer milk supply for the inhabitants of- this Dominion." PARLIAMENTARY LANGUACfc. After some manoeuvring, Mr. Wilford succeeded yesterday in interpolating a plea for the nationalisation of the oil .industry into a' discussion on reafforestation. . Mr. AVilford gave as a reason for such a course that it irould ensure cheap oil to the people, and stop the "damnable" ■• operations' of the Oil Trust. At this point ' the Speaker pulled' Mr. Wilford up for irrelevancy; ."You must .•'■withdraw that word," said Sir Joseph Ward. . : - "No; I will not," replied Mr. Wilford, "it is. not unparliamentary. 1 am not referring to anyone. I am ■referring to tho . Trust." AN OVERBURDENED MINISTER. During a discussion in the Bouse of Representatives . yesterday . on forest conservation, Mr. T.-E. Taylor, M.P: for Christchurcli North, referred to tlio interest which the' Hon. R. M'Nab, ex-Minister for Lauds, had takon in the subject. In fho present Minister for Lands (Sir Joseph' Ward), how-, .over, they had a , Minister who was already, overburdened! No one would say .that'.Sir Joseph Ward could not. form a sound judgment, on that subject. But.it was impossible-for him: to find time to acquire all the .essential knowledge .which ho should possess in regard to all the Departments over which he had control. Members should insist upon the same subdivision in administration as they would if they met as shareholders in. a large concern out of which they wished to get the best returns.' \ln tho course of some-, remarks on the subject tho Hon. 'IVMackenzie'(Minister for Agriculture) stated that it. could .not be 'denied that Sir Joseph Ward was a very successful Minister for Lands/ If Sir Joseph had not carried out his duties successfully that would liavo been shown b.v Mr. Massey, and those associated with him. ' . Mr. Massey: Are you trying to draw mo? (Laughter.) \

THE SPEEDING-UP PROCESS. During the sitting of the House, yesterday _ the .Premier moved . that after Wednesday ■ next,, for the remainder of the session, Government business should take precedence on Wednesdays; Jlr. Massey . thought. that the . House should not allow the whole of Wedensdoy to be taken for Government business. He profiosed that the motion should apply only o Wednesday evenings. In addition to one afternoon for the discussion of-'an-swers to questions, there should be an afternoon for discussion of notices of motion. Sir Joseph Ward would not firtl in with the suggestion. Upon a division, Mr. Massey's amendment was rejected by 43 votes to 28. JOTTINCS. ■; Tho fact, that 'thousands of young people parade the city streets and frequent tho picture shows and theatres at night, and that only 25 to 30 should attend an interesting lecture delivered by Professor Easterfield, has set the lion. C. M. Luke puzzling over what is coming to the rising generation. "You aro blaming an inanimate thing," remarked the Hon. J. M'Gowan in the Legislative Council yesterday, when the Hoii; C. M. Luke was putting tho blame for crime on to driiik; "There is plenty of spirit in it," interrupted Dr. Findlay, amidst laughter. According to a reply given by tho I'rime Minister to Mr.' T. E. Taylor yesterday, it is not usual to..appoint Justices of the Peace during the sitting of Parliament. The matter of gazetting new appointments will be dealt with at the very earliest possible -dato after the session,.

, In reply to Mr. Myors, who asked whether'stops' would bo taken to modify the requirements in regard to the. labour and census return, so as to make them of a less harassing nature, the Hon. J. A. Millar states that it is believed tliat tho terms have been accepted by every employers' association except that of Auckland. The objections raised by the latter body will be considered.

A petition from the Mangaweka Town Board for permission to connect a tramline with the . Government railway at Greatford has been presented to tho House by Mr. R. W. Smith, M.P. Another bulky petition lias been presented by Mr. Glover. Tho petition, which ,boro 240 names, prays that no interference shall take place with Auckland, Government House and grounds.