POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1231, 13 September 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

PETITION. A petition was presented to tho llouso of Representatives yesterday afternoon by Mr. .T. Duncan (Waivau), signed by 3t7i. residents of Marlborough, who ask that the Government should immediately noquire for closer settlement the Uillersdeit Estate. Tho petition stales that in Marlborough there is a great demand for land for settlement, by bona tide settlers, and owing to their inability to secure holdings, numbers of young men, sons of the best farmers in tile province, are weekly leaving Marlborough to settle in districts where'land is more easily acquired. Only b sinall proportion of the province is in cultivation, and the majority of tho Wnirau district, which is excellent agricultural and pastoral land, is held by twelvo owners, who own or lease .1515,000 acres. Virtually the whole of these properties are suitable for subdivision. According to the petition, the Hillersdcn Estate, which comprises 17(1,000 acres, has been bequeathed to some I'ortv-sovon beneficiaries, most of whom reside outside tho Dominion. Half the estate is freehold and half Crown leasehold. A COOK ISLAND PETITION, Mr. V. H. Keed reported for the Public Petitions Committee yesterday that it had no recommendation to make in reference to a petition from a number of Cook Island residents asking that the Resident Commissioner (Mr. ,T. E. Smith) should bo removed from office. THE MOKAU INQUIRY. The Native Affair? Committee did not continue the Mokau Inquiry vesterday, but adjourned until to-day at 10.30 a.m. Both Mr. Massoy and Sir James Carroll were busy, and desired an adjournment. The examination of Mr. H. Lewis will probablv not be resumed until Thursday or Friday next. Mr. F. G. Dakiell and a Maori witness are to appear to-day, and it is expected that two Departmental officers will be called on Thursday. It is anticipated that tho examination of witnesses will be concluded this week. GOVERNMENT BUSINESS ONLY. The Prime Minister yesterday, signified his intention of moving that, on and after to-day, Government business be taken on Wednesdays. This presumably seals the fato of the Proportional Representation Bill, introduced by tho Hon.. G. Fowlds, which hns been set down for second reading on Wednesday next, ns well as of other private Bills. A RAILWAY DEPUTATION. A deputation, introduced by Sir W. J. Steward, waited upon the Hon. R. M'honzio (Minister for Public Works) yesterdv\ to urge that a short extension of the Waihao lino (South Canterbury) should be constructed. It was stated that the work was estimated to cost JC2OOO. Tho Minister replied that the line would-no doubt pay .interest, but that only a certain sum could bo borrowed each year, and all applications would be considered on their merits. Me promised to lay tho matter before Cabinet. BOUNDARY COMMISSIONERS. Mr. Hine seized an opportunity last evening to ask the Prime Minister whetlieT the Boundary Commissioners, when they meet to-morrow to finally consider ol>jections to the new boundaries, will hear objections in person. The Prime Minister replied that the whole of the work of the Commissioners was covered by an Act. H« did not think they would allow rovmg verbal statements to be made, but no doubt they would consider any reasonable, representation so long as it conformed to the rcauircments of the Act.

QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS,

Mr. Arnold is to ask tho Minister for Railwavs to extend tho privilege of travelling'on the railways at holiday excursion rates to tramwaymen on leave. He points out that tramwaymen are at present deprived of this privilego, as they have to work on holidays. In a put to tho Minister for Public Works, Mr. Okcy suggests an inquiry into the co-opera tivo labour System. In tha House yesterday afternoon Mr. Macdonald gavo notice to move: "That a special Committee be appointed to in : quire into tho petition of the Taupo Totara Company for railway extension, and any other matter in connection therewith; such Committee to have power to call for persons and papers; three to bo a quorum: the Committee to consist of Messrs. Mandcr, Fvaser, Guthrie, Newman, Grecnslade, Reed, Myers, Davey, Forbes, and the mover." Ho asked leave to move without notice, but Mr. Massey raised 'an objection on tho ground that the matter was too serious to bo' dealt with cut of hand. Mr. Isitt gavo notico to ask tho Prime Minister: "Whether, in connection with the introduction of immigrants from Groat Britain, provision will bo made by the Government that only tho certificate of a medical man appointed by tho High Commissioner shall bo valid for persons making application for passages to New Zealand." He added the following explanatory note:—"There is now in Christchurch Hospital a case of incurable tuberculosis. Tho patient was for some months in a London hospital, and then received a medical certificate of health enabling her to emigrate to this country."