POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 980, 22 November 1910, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

.. __—_$ _■ TEACHERS' SUPERANNUATION. The Public Service Classification and Superannuation Bill has already been, numbered among the "slaughtered inno-' cents" ofthis Eession. There is one clause, in it, however (Clause 15, which re-' viv'es the right of election to become contributors to the Teachers' Superannuation Fund), which Sir William Steward! desires to save. Ho pointed out to the! -Prime Minister last night that a number, of petitions had•' been presented front: teachers asking for a fresh opportunity of joining the Superannuation Fund. Hβ asked the Government to • consider the advisability of bringing in a BUI of a single clause, snch as Clause 15. Sir Joseph Ward promised to consider the matter..

JETTISONED! The following is a list of the private members' Bills jettisoned on Friday last, when the Prime Minister was sorting out the Bills which it is proposed to proceed with before the session ends:— Half-lioliday for Miners in Gold and Coal Mines Bill. (Hon. Mr. Guinness.) Native Birds' Protection Bill. (Hon. Sil W. J. Steward.) • ". Property ' Law Amendment' Bill. (Mr.. E. H. Taylor.) ■ Public Health Amendment Bill. (Mr, Sidey.) . Coal-mines Amendment, Bill. (Mr. Colvin.) . ' , .': Sale of Goods Amendment Bill. (Mr. Witty.) ; . Noxious Weeds Act, 190S, Amendment Bill. (Mr. lfidd.) . . . . National. Sick and Accident InsuranceBill. (Mr. Laurenson for Hon. Mr. Guinness.) Shearers' ■ Accommodation Amendment Bill. (Mr. Al'Laren.) Marriage Act Amendment Bill (Sir W.J. Steward.) ' • ' , ■ ■ ■ : New Zealand Standard Time Bill. (Mr. Sidey.) Juries Amendment Bill, (Mr. T. E. Taylor.)- . Mutual Fire Insurance Amendment' Bill. (Mr. Dive.) . New Zealand Society of Musicians BilL. (Mr. Sidey.) ' . ' ■-.••-, .- Mutual Accident Insurance Bill. (Mr; Dive.) •■'■■' Maritime Accidents Bill. (Mr< M'Laren;) -,/'.. .' Municipal Corporations Act, 1008,; Amendment Bill (No. 2). (Mr. Fisher.V Weekly Day of Rest Bill. (Mr«. I'isher.) ~ ,

CHINAMAN AND WHITE MAN. .. "In connection with the trade pf selling tobacco, the Chinaman is in a far happier position than if he were a white man," declared Mr. Fisher last nifjht, speaking on the Shops and Offices Bill. Mr. Fisher said the reason, for this was that a, Chinaman who sold vegetables and tobacco was not held to be a tobacconist, and could sell whenever be liked. Hence the. demand of the white tobacconists.; thateither tobacconists should be licensed! or there should be a definition of the term',. A KNOTTY DEFINITION. During the second leading debate on , - the Slaughtering and Inspection Amendmont Bill last night, some criticism was directed to Section, 4, which alters, the) definition of. meat slaughterhouse to read "a slaughterhouse wherein not less than . twenty-five per cent, of the. stock:slaughtered is-.for export beyond New .Zealand." The definition in the principal Act reads* sixty .per cent., instead of twenty-five. A. number of members who are in. touch! with the municipalities, including Mr. Wilford (Hutt) and Mr. Myers (Auckland East): expressed apprehension lest the alteration of the definition misht affect, the . municipal • abattoirs. Mr. Myers said he had a protest from Auck- , land City' Council against the alteration, , of: the definition.. . ' In reply the Hon. T. Mackenzie stated"' that if .tho definition were not altered, an important meat works,in Auckland:; ■would have to close down. Mr. ;T. E. Taylor: You; cannot legist late for exceptions. -' n . ; Hon. T. Mackenzie: No, but you may* legislate to enable people to begin an.export. trade. ..He'assured Mr. Myers that. Clause {- 27- protected the : interests of the local authorities. ■- : WHAT MEMBERS WANT TO KNOW,, The Minister , for Lands is being askei by Mr. Field whether it is decided to' retain-the island of Kapiti, or the greaterV portion of it, as State property, andi before next session to propound a scheme for 'utilising, profitably the' large area of grassed land on the State-owned portion of the island, and for developing the island into, the most historical and interesting (as well as one of the. most charming) watering-place in the Dominion, but at the same time effectively preserving the forest, and the birds, and other animal life worth preserving on the island. ..." -:.... ..' Mr. Herdman wishes to know of the Minister for Railways why it is that the conditions under which men ~ employed! in the railway dining-cars are not as good as the conditions under which hotel employees in the Dominion work. The dining-car' employees (Mr. Herdmam l points out) receive a wage of £1 15s. per week, and twelve meals,' valued at while on the cars, or a total, of £!i 7s.' per week; the hotel employees receive a wage of £\ 12s. Gd. per week, twenty-one meals valued at £1 Is., and bed provided, valued at ss. per week; , a'-total of .£2 18s. Cdi . . ■/..-. j .: : Mr. Field is asking the Government whether' they will next session bringdown a measure providing for daylightsaving during the evunmer months in the Dominion. :....■ Mr. Herdman intends.asking the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to appoint assistant commissioners to help the Commissioner of Taxes in the administration of his Dβ-. paitment; and, if so, when?