POLITICAL JOTTINGS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 August 1901, Page 3

POLITICAL JOTTINGS.

The Colonial Secretary is averse to the practice of building up industries by means of bonuses.

Mr M’Laohlan has been granted a week’s leave of absence on account ci sickness.

The Minister for Railways is considering the question of reducing railway freights on manures.

“We want to get away from this frivolous and experimental legislation” says Mr Withoford.

“New Zealand knows very little of the fat man,” said Mr Arnold last night. “But he is still getting fat,” retorted the Premier.

“There are people in this House credulous enough to believe that the Premier will carry out his promise,”—Mr J. Hutcheson.

The Minister for Agriculture is in favour of imposing a tax on stallions, the proceeds to go to the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations.

The Colonial Secretary says the Government is considering the question of the state of the baths at Rotorua, and something will have to be done to make them very much more up-to-date than at present.

Land Boards, says the Minister for Lands, have very considerable powers, and be thinks it would be difficult to keep elective Boards within statutory limits. If elected, they would have to be elected on the same basis of members of the House. The Hon. Colonel Pitt favors a reversion

to tho principle of bringing Acts into force on tho first day of the year after their passage, instead of (as now) immediately after their enactment. "If the effect of tho School Children Drill Bill is only to draw attention to the fact that children in schools are kept too long crouching over their desks, to the detriment of their chests, it will have done a good thing.”—Hon G. Jones. Of the stud stock recently imported by the Government, tho Minister for Agriculture has arranged that one Shire horse shall be placed in each island, in a central position, where a few approved mares can be sent at a very reasonable figure. There will be in each island three horses suitable for breeding for remounts.

Mr Symes on the returned troopers; The Government should have said to them—” Young men, you’ve done well. Get away back to your late {employment. Don’t loaf about town. ” Mr Witheford —“But they can’t get employment.” Mr Symes—“ A lot can get employment if they want it.” Mr Collins (describing an oration by Mr Witheford): ‘‘l almost expected the hon. gentleman to conclude with ‘And now, gentlemen, charge your glasses.’ ” (Great laughter). Mr Witheford: “The wish is the father to the thought.” (Greater laughter).

The Minister for Public Health realises the importance of local authorities appointing Inspectors of Buildings, as_ required by the Municipal Corporations Act, and he thinks it is a matter upon which the Department might address communications to local authorities.