POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2256, 30 July 1908, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

HUE -NEW STATUTES.

[Special to “Times.”]

AVELLINGTON, July 28.

Tho consolidated statutes made their iirst appearance in Parliament this afternoon, when the Premier laid on tho table of tho House five bulky volumes that will, in a few weeks from now, comprise tho bulk of tho statute law of the Dominion. In these five volumes are now compressed no fewer than 208 public general acts. The volumes are accompanied by a .Bill which will have to he passed before tho new Acts become the law of the land. Tho Acts in the new volume are arranged in alphabetical order. The Native Land Acts have not been consolidated. The subject js stated to be exceedingly complex and the commissioners 'recommend that the work be done by some person skilled in Native*Lind both customary and statutory. STATE FIRE INSURANCE. ANNUAL EEPORT. ■ Tlie report of the State Fire Insurance Department for tho year 1907 states that the net income of itilie Department for the three years since its inauguration has been as follows : 1905 £13,127, 1906 £29,962, 1907 £23194. The report soys that Hie rates of premium f o r fire insurance in New Zealand are too low. This is shown by the fact that tlie results .attended by the State Fire Insurance office oil its operations during the past three years, show a profit of only £1566, after writing off £1902, .and reserving £7731 for unearned premiums. The insuring public, however, have reaped the benefit of the reduced rates, seeing that the same amount approximately totals £SOOO for the past three years. The statement of accounts shows that after writing off £634 as the third quarter of the preliminary expenses .and reserving an additional £744 for unearned premiums, there is a credit balance of £867. This is claimed to be a very satisfactory result, seeing that it has been attained, free at least to the public, in the face of strong and active competitive opposition, at rates which have, during the whole period, been the lowest in Hie world for similar risks. It is stated that tho Department's contribution towards the maintenance of fire brigades .will range from 5 to 7\ per cent of tlie premiums received at each centre where a fire brigade, working under the Act, is in operation. THE FARRIERS BILL. Tlie Farriers Bill, introduced by Mr Alajor, provides for the .registration of all persons carrying on business as farriers. Every person who lias carried on business as a farrier for the year, or has served for the year, or lias served as am. apprentice or assisted for four years .at the time of tlie passing of the Act, shall be entitled to register. After the passing of the Act registration will be 'granted to persons who have served four yeaors ns an apprentice or assistant and to those persons who pass an examination compriing (a) a practical test of the candidate’s efficiency in the trade of making horse shoes and of shoeing horses and (b) a written or oral examination an the anatomy and physiology of the horse’s foot and in such subjects pertaining or relating to the trade of a farrier as may be prescribed bv regulations. The maximum penalty for carrying on business in contravention of the Act is to be a fine not exceeding £1 a day. JOTTINGS. “I will pay liis pension myself,” said Mr. McLacklan in tho House today, regarding an old Canterbury settler, “rather than think this man should go down to his grave in absolute poverty.” Air. Arnold, 'referring to the criticism in tho 'House this afternoon regarding deserving old people who could not get the old age pension, said, “My heart is full with joy to such an extent That I hardly know liow to speak.” Air. AVitty has been informed that, in response to his request, a committee will he sot up to deal with the dairy regulations. Air. Alalcolm is inquiring whether it is .a fact that when the Melbourne steamers reacli the Bluff at an early hour the mails are frequently not sent on by the first express, and, iif so, will the Postmaster-General see that greater promptness is shown? Air. AVitty wants the Government t ( > erect sawmills near the North Island Alain. Trunk lino so as to supply tho public with timber at a reasonable price, and thus possibly render it unnecessary to import American timber.