NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1204, 12 August 1911, Page 7

NEWS AND NOTES.

NEW BILLS. HAUEAKI PLAINS. Tho Bill introduced by tho Hon. D. Buddo to amend tho Hauraki Plains Act, 1908. proposes to increase tho amount available for expenditure on tlio drainage reclamation and reading of lands from .£BO.OOO to jG120,000. In order to provide funds for tho maintenance of tho drainage works carried out under the principal Act, it is proposed that the Minister may lovy a rate upon the unimproved value of tho lands and on a graduated scale according to a classification of tho lands into those, which will receive direct benefit from the construction, of the works, those' which will receive less direct benefit and those that will receive only indirect benefit. In the case of Crown lands temporarily unoccupied it is proposed thai, the rates should be paid by tho Minister for Lands. Power to appoint a land drainage engineer anil other officers required to carry out the works described in the principal measure is to be conferred. EDUCATION RESERVES. The Education Reserves Amendment Bill introduced in tho Houso of Representatives yesterday gives extended powers to trustees of school reserves. Formerly the term of lease was limited to 11 years, without the right of renewal to the tenant. The extended powers now proposed under tho Public Bodies' Leases

Act ivil lenablo the trustees to adopt Hit Glasgow lease principle, with a right of renewal, subject to valuation, after each 21 years. The question of. roservius sites for schools on reserves is to ha vested in Land Boards. Formerly this matter was in the hands of School' Commissioners, who wcro done away with by last year's Act. The following Bills' were read n first time: —Municipal Corporations Amendment Jiill (Mr. JJavcv); Otago Harbour Board Empowering Bill (Hon. Mr. Millar). The Education Reserves Amendment and the Hauraki Plains Amendment wero introduced by Governor's Message and read a first time. Notice was given of intention lo ask for leave to introduce the following Bills: Christ'church Domnins Amendment (Mr. Davcy), Public AVorks Amendment (the Hon. K. M'Kenzio). NOT WHOLLY DISCREDITED. In view of Sir John Findlay's recent declaration in London that John Stuart Mil Is doctrine of liberty had been discredited in New Zealand, both in theory and practice, it was interesting to note yesterday afternoon that Mill ran still bo quoted with respect from the Government side of the House of Representatives. Mr. j. o. Thomson, after reading a sentence from Mill on "Representative Government," remarked: "i\o one can dispute that the authority I hnvo quoted is one that should carry weight."

ASKING FOR BILLETS. "Probably no'member of this House," said Mr. Herdman yesterday, "could nso and declare that ho had never been applied to for a Government billet." Mr. Bus-sell: Can you say so? Mr. Herdman: 1 have been approached lime and again. I always send them to a Government supporter-say, the nicm■i. for . the tell them he will get them a billet.' Mr. Luke: They never mention that you sent them. ■ SESSIONAL COMMITTEES. Yesterday afternoon the Lands Committee and the Agricultural and Stock Committees- were appointed, their personnel being as follow :-Lands: Mr. Anderson the Hon. T. Y. Duncan, Messrs. Ell, K e3 ' G , u y>»e. -Uogg, Lang, Lawry ami V* S v J ' {i -^?, vd - Agricultura T) L n : essrs -, Bollard ' Buchanan, Wf L - w >7. Okey, Witty, and the to the Native Aflairs Committee. BRIEF MENTION. ? ishe V nl *nds to ask too Minister XJ^T 0 to ° btain for members comSn^ f °i™M 1011 the re sults disclosed by tho medical examination of the territorial forces. MiV stc ? sio V f the allowance paid bv e Department of Education for children „,, hnv ?, l °, bB driven to scl >ools is boms sought by Mr. .Anderson. He suggests that similar assistance should be E, '0 children who ride on horseback to, school. Ihe member for Geraldine (Mr. Bin ton) suggests that tho .Prime Minist r houM the tlv-ff 1° , secnre . an equalisation of 7„m i s 'tween Australia and New Zealand on agricultural product rh7MW. Vey ha ? e ' m , n notice that when the tramways Amendment Bill is before men£° US9 W,U mOTO ccrtaiu al » e^"

Mr. Poole is to nsk whether the Terra iNova, will be employed to verify the £7 /. Cane Kidnappers and Bare nf„i TlSlt °, f r H ' M ' S ; Challenger to Port Chalmers before she takes her departure for Australia, is urged by Mr. Clark nnnL'/ IS * 01 ' to . knott ' whether the Minister for Defence is aware that the medical examination, under the Defence Act or thoso whoso services are required tor defenco purposes, is disclosing a somewhat extraordinary condition of affairs as regards the physical condition of the cxSrfV also asks that the Minister should lay before the House anv informa--1 non -upon tho subject that is obtainable.