POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 942, 15 July 1903, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

NATIVE LAND LEGISLATION

Several North island members' are posting themselves up carefully in the matter of Native land , legislation, and in all probability this is one of the subjects that will cause trouble bfflfore the session is ended

(says the Auckland correspondent of the New, Zealand Herald). The Government have, apparently pinned their faith on Mahuta, and are holding out great hopes of Native land being thrown open for settlement, but the majority of members are anything but sanguine as to the results of Mahuta’s elevation ; and the weakness of the present potition is that after a three years’ trial, then) is nothing to show as resulting from the operations of the Maori Land Councils. . One block—the Ohutu j block, in the Wanganui distsict—was thrown open,, but, as stated by Mr T. Parata in his speech the other night, there were no applicants for the sections, no doubt due to the leasehold conditions. It remains tobe seen whether the House will, be patient enough to wait for the tardy movements of Mahuta and his party or whether an attempt will be ma,de during the session to' force the hands of the Government in the matter. At present ~ there is feeling that ■the administration of the existing! Act should be left entirely to Mr Carroll without undue interference .from - other Ministers who have less knowledge of the subject. ■

COAL MINES ACT.

Mr Colvin, the member for Buller, has introduced a ' Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill, intended to provide for an eight-hours’ 'day for miners, and for the establishment of a coal miners’ medical fund. A miners’ association may form a medical club, and fix a weekly payment, which, at their request, mineowners must deduct from the wages of all employees, and pay into the fund. A DISRESPECTFUL PETITION. At the time for presenting petitions, Mr G. Fowlds stated that he had a petition which he had some hesitation in presenting. He. had already shown it to the Speaker, and he now asked Mr Speaker to state whether he would receive it. The petieion was from William Geo. Bassett; private detective, and had, reference to the treatment petitioner had received at the hands oE Mr Justice Conolly. The Speaker said the language of the petition was not respectful to Mr , Justice Conolly, and he therefore ruled that it could not be received in its present form.

THE REFERENDUM. Mr Lawry, in 'die course . of his speech, described the referendum as a subterfuge for political cowardice, and declared that he would stonewall the Referendum Bill if he had to

keep it up,for a month. “Hear, jear,” said Mr Ti'Mackenzie.) “I am glad,” said Mr Lawry, “ to hear the hon. member for Waikouaiti say, 1 hear, hear'’ for if he possesses one qualification, more than another, it is ability to help an honest man to stonewaJl,” (Laughter.) WEST COAST WANTS.

Mr Colvin says that the cost of commodities on the West Coast has within the past few years increased from 25 to 40 per cent., and wages would have to go up in proportion. He hoped when Government were framing their estimates lor the coming year they would recognise this. He also advocated special conditions for land settlement on the West Coast. The climatic conditions were such that in his district a man who took up land should get it for ten 'years for nothing. THOSE PRECIOUS RIIi'MES.

Sir William Jukes Steward, the author of 11 The Rhymes of the Mapourika,” has informed the Press Gallery that, though his verses were published by the Government Printer, he paid for them out of his own pocket. He paid £6 2s for 500 copies. It now becomes a question of whether the Government Printing Office should take such work out of the bands of private.firms, and whether the Government Printer should have the responsibility of publishing such brilliant composition under the heading of poetry. Members of the Government only smile when this phase of the subject is mentioned. JOTTINGS.

The Hod. J. McGowan presented a petition from Edward Simpson, asking relief in respect that he was permanently injured while at work on the Karangahake railway tunnel.

Mr Moss presented a petition from Edward Bain, asking for a freehold title of land held by him under an agricultural lease in Obinemuri. At the time the lease was granted the land was believed to be auriferous, but petitioner says it has now been proved not to be so; ■ Mr Witheford has presented a petition

from Mr Bell, ship-rigger, of Auckland, attached to which is an account setting forth in detail that the Minister for Justice is debtor to John Bell to the extent of £2770. The first item is £BOO for loss sustained through alleged false imprisonment, and the balance is made up of various Josses sustained while in prison, and expenses in fighting for justice.