GALLERY NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2231, 7 November 1907, Page 3

GALLERY NOTES.

Special to Times. WELLINGTON. N0v..6. TARANAKI CHILDREN. In reference to the Chief Justice s remarks about the “child slaves” of the Taranaki dairy farms, the Minister for Labor says that as a similar statement to that referred to was made last year, inquiries have been made, which go to show that whilst it is true in some instances that- color has been given to the charge, it is not general in its application. BUILDERS’ CONFERENCE. Air; Ell asked the Minister of Lands whether he would take steps to give effect to - the requests contained in the resolution passed jby the -annual conference of the New Zealand Builders’ Association at Napier. The Minister replied that the Government are fully alive -to -the necessity for conserving as much as possible the building timbers of the Dominion, and reservations of -suitable timber -areas are continually being made. It is, however, also neces=ary for the welfare of the community that the -balloting operations ’should not he hampered 'by undue -restrictions. The Government, -in .addition, are -taking steps, as -far as the means at their disposal will allow, to vigorously continue the present forest tree planting operations. BIRDS NUISANCE. Ail endeavor will be made to amend the -Birds Nuisance Act next session. RAILWAY CONCESSIONS. An. unfavorable ready was given today !by the Premier to the suggestion embodied in Mr. Poland’s question regarding -the granting of concessions in railway fares to mothers of -families. The question was as follows: —“Whether, in view of the decreasing ib-irfch rate in New Zealand, and -the -importance of < li-co-uraging the increase of population in the .Dominion, the Government will -favorably consider the -granting to mothers of families of concessions on tlie New Zealand railways on some such basis as the following: (1) Mothers of five and less than eight, children, half passenger rates; (2) mothers of eight and less than ten children, at one-fourth rate; -3) mothers of -ten children or over, free passages?” Tho Ministerial reply was:—“l regret it would not be possible to give effect to this proposal. Railway travelling at tlie "present time is exceedingly cheap under all circumstances. While I recognise the importance of encouraging tlie increase of the population of our country, I am afraid that the matter of the decreasing birth rate is duo In circumstances -and causes which would -not.be o-bv-iated by a reduction in the railway fares to tlie mothers of the'Dominion.” Air. Poland, in rising to express dissatisfaction with the answer, was greeted with a sally of humorous interjections. Certain goods, he -said, were carried free for farmers on -the railways; polo ponies and racehorses, etc., wore carried at half rates, but- itlio mothers of families got no concessions. They had a declining birth rate in New Zealand, and the Government should have replied to the question by saying “Yes, -wo will give effect- to the suggestion, -and we thank the bon. gentleman for making it.” The Government, however, did not think that the population could lie increased by such means. Would tlie Government tell them the way in which it could be done? AID TO LANDLESS FATHERS. Air. Poland further suggested to -the Alinis-ter for Lands that lie should get the Attorney-General to have a,n amendment inserted in tjie Land Bill -in the Legislative Council to give to landless fathers of families of eight -and over -a 66 years’ lease free of rent of sufficient land to maintain themselves and their families. (“Hear, hoar," and laughter.)