POLITICAL NOTES

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1813, 28 July 1913, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES

NEWS & PROSPECTS. IMPREST DEBATE THIS WEEK. Some of tho most important of tho Government's policy Bills are duo to be introduced this week, and, taking everything into consideration, the Houso of RepreH3)itativo3 is likely to spend a busy lime. For one tiling, an Imprest Supply Bill will bo introduced. Probably it will come down early in the week, for Friday next is August 1, when, in. accordance -with custom, the salaries of State employees havo to be paid. Wednesday is set apart for tho consideration of private Bills, and Thursday for local Bills, bnt should the need arise the Imprest Bill will take precedence 011 cither of these days, or both. Bills which are ready to be introduced this week include , those dealing with State Advances, Local Bodies' Loans, Municipal Corporations, and the Public Trust.

GRADUATED INCOME TAX, A measure which will break new ground is the annual taxing statute, the Land Tax and Income Tax Bill. Last year this Bill introduced the Government's amendments in the graduated land tax system. This year it will embody their proposals in regard to the graduated income tax. LABOUR AND LAND BILLS. Another Bill wliich will make its appearance this week is tho consolidation and amendment of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. It is a comprehensive measure, giving full effect to the Government's policy in regard to tho settlement.of industrial disputes, and' is expected to advance proposals calculated to meet tho case of unregistered as well as of registered trades unions. Tho Land Bill, which is to give effect to the second instalment of the Government's laud policy, is not yet quite ready for presentation, but its preparation is well- forward, and it will make its appearance at an early date. Amongst other thing 3,. the Bill confers the right of acquiring the freehold upon lease in perpetuity tenants of settlement lands.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Financial Statement will not ba brought down this week. Its final revision has beon delayed by the indisposition of the Hon. Jamej Allen, who has not yet fully recovered from the effects of his recent vaccination. The statement ; s unlikely to be brought down before Tuesday, August 5,' at earliest, and will probably be delayed until a slightly later date. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. Tho proposal to constitute a Board of Agriculture will take definito shape almost immediately. The Prime Minister (the Hon. W. P.. Massey) lias been asked to deliver an address at tho opening of the annual conferenco of the 'Agricultural and Pastoral Societies on Wednesday next, and ho will lay his proposals regarding the board before the delegates attending the conference 011 that occasion. The Primo Minister intends to offer tho A. and P. Societies some representation upon the Board of Agriculture. As has been already indicated, there is a probability,that tho position of chairman of the board may bo offered to Mr. J. G. Wilson.

THE GAMING BILLS. The position of tho two Gaming Amendment iiills (botlx of them private measures) . which are before the House at the present time is a little peculiar. Mr. Wilford's Bill, which aims at indefinitely increasing the number of permits which may he issued, came up for its second reading late on Thursday night. Tho debato was adjourned before the motion had been put, and it was then commonly assumed that the Bill had been killed. This is not the case. The Bill now stands on the Order Paper as the second Order of the Day for Thursday next, tho only item in- a, better position being a Christchurch local Bill. Local Bills have first claim to attention on Thursday, and a number of these measures are now before the Local Bills Committee. If they are reported on and restored to tho Order Paper before Thursday uext, Mr. Wilford's Bill • will be moved down, but failing this it occupies a good position, and will probably come up in plenty of time to allow the second reading debato to bo indefinitely extended, if not concluded. Mr. Hunter's Gaming Amendment Bill, on the other hand, which provides for tho issue of thirty additional. porinits for the benefit of one-day racing clubs, hunt clubs, and trotting clubs, stands fourth 1 on tho Order Paper for Wednesday next (privato members' day). Taking into account what happened last week, the chances of the Bill coming up for second reading on Wednesday seem to be somewhat problematical. Apart from the point? already noted, there is a possibility that the Imprest debate, duo to take place this week, may interfere to some extent with tho days devoted to private and local Bills. It is understood, however, that tho House will be afforded an opportunity, before the session ends, of going to a division on the second reading of Mr. Hunter's Bill. If the opportunity did not arise in ordinary course, tho Government could provide it by allowing the Bill, at a suitable juncture, to take precedence over Governmbnt business.- . FORESTRY REPORT. No definite date has yet been set down for the promised discussion in the House of Representatives ujwn the report of tho Forestry Commission. In any case, the report will not come up for discussion until tho Financial Statement has been dealt with.

DRAINAGE SCHEMES. RANGITAIKI AND HAURAKI. The report on the Rangitniki land drainage operations for -the year ended March 31 last was presented to Parliament yesterday by thp Minister for Lands (tho Hon. W. F. Massey). The report states that great' difficulty was experienced during tho year with ,the cutting of thi Rangitaiki River diversion canal, which was iet to Messrs. Rich and Jeffreys, who 'finally abandoned tho work which is .now being continued by the Department. The expenditure in the year amounted to .£15,203, making a total expenditure for the two years of ,£27,343. The drains constructed to tho end of tho year totalled 401' miles, and the river snaggiDg 9J miles. During tho year 370 acres, comprising 29 sections of Native lands, were acquired for tho more efficient carrying out of the drainngo and other works. Sundry small areas were acquired for road purposes. The total area affected by the scheme is 87,100 acres, tho greater part of which is either freehold, leasehold, or Native land. Tho annual report of the drainage operations in tho Hauraki plains district, which was submitted by the Minister for (the Hon. W. F. Massey), states that the area now claimed and settled amounts to 30,110 acres, occupied by 199 selectors. The area set apart under tho Act for drainage and reclamation purposes is 90,000 acres. The expenditure for tho year ended, March last was .£26,608, tho total expenditure to date being .£137,773. The valuation of 30,347 acres subdivided for settlement, and reserves, amounts to .iICO.OIO, and tho valuation of tho areas which it is proposed to open during the present year amounts to an additional .£17,000. Tho total length of formed cart roads is now over fifty miles, whilst the total mileage of drains in operation is 276 miles, an increase of 18J miles for the year. Tho value of tho areas which it was intended to bring out during tho coming year would be about <£17,000,