Political Jottings.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1920, Page 3

Political Jottings.

CAPTAIN KIRKWOOD’S MISSION

When the Defence Estimates were

under discussion in the House, Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) asked for information regarding the dispatch to England of Captain Kirkwood, who was to consult the Admiralty about the adjustment of some accounts. Mr Wilford suggested that the Admiralty was claim ing a very large sum' from the New Zealand Government, He asked what Were Captain Kirkwood’s qualifications for the duty, and mentioned that the officer had not served at the front. It is stated officially that the accounts in dispute relate to the transport of troops which was taken over at a certain stage of the war by the British Government. Mr Massey mentioned on Friday night that the claim being made against New Zoaland did not ex-' ceed one million sterling. .The actual amount would require to be determined by a study of the accounts and by a definition of liability. Captain Kirkivood is a qualified accountant, who has had lengthy experience of shipping accounts and shipping law. He was associated with transport work during the war, having been declared medically unfit for active service. He will be associated in London with Captain .Noseda, who Was transport officer at the N.Z.E.F. Adminis- 1 frative Headquarters, and will have the assistance and advice of the High Coni- , missioner and late Minister of De- ! fence, Sir James Allen. Captain Kirkwood was selected for the duty on account of his special knowledge and Ins ability to deal with shipping accounts. ■

TOTALISATOR PERMITS

The Gaming Amendment Bill No. 2, introduced by Mr G. Hunter, (Wfljpawa), is at present occupying a place low down on the order paper.. This Bill proposes to increase the number of totalisator permits in the country districts. Most members of till* Douse believe (bat spmp of the country disricts have not been treated fairly in the allocation of permits, but there will be some strong opposiion to the Bill on the ground that the total number of permits ought not to be, increased. An order paper containing about seventy proposed amendments to tlie Bill lias been circulated, and has a decidedly obstructive appearance.

MILITARY DENTIST’S

During the discussion on the Defence jEstimatps pi the Hoiise. of Representatives information was sought as to the employment of dentists by the Defence Department so long after the close of the war. ' Tlie Minister states that there, are only two dentists employed, and that they are employee! solely in dealing with de.ntal troubles of ex-sol-diers, contracted while on active service. It is expeetpd that tjipy Will have completed their work by. the end of the present ypar.

INVENTOR’S FF<ES

The New Zealand Government makes a profit 'out of inventors. The Registrar of Patients, Designs, and Trade Marks collected £9345 in fees last year, while his expenditure amounted £3373. The. credit balance was £5971, ' and this, added to the excess of receipts over expenditure since makes n total of £85,428. “It should be remembered,” says the-Registrar, “that , the object of the patent- law is the de- < velopnient of manufacture by the piomotion of invention, and, as the con- 1 ( sideration for the patent granting < monopoly <)f the use of an invention j a certain time, is the full disclosure of , it to the public by means of the spew- - fication, the payment of fees beyond - those required to meet expenses, al- j , though not uncommon in various conn- : tries, does not in principle seem to be | ( sound. As frequently pointed out, . much might be done to foster and stimulate useful invention in this conn- j try by the adoption of the reconimonda- j tions niade frojn time to time in these reporfy, and it is hoped that more wil be effected in this respect to develop and ns far as . possible direct ipto mpre profitable lines the inventive genius with which the people of this country • appear to be so highly endowed. The small proportion of inventions that prove remunerative renders it very a visable to ascertain as far as possible not merely'the noyclty but the prospects of commercial {success of theninventions before going to ex P ?n ~ so in patenting a?id exploiting them here, and more especially abroad. _ <r%V tr rv_0! Zeus! When you ring my knell, Doc’-eo of mo not a frozen hell 1 I’d for prefer a hell of flame. But if my unrelenting hate In that alone its lust can sate. • Grant me to make my fato allure. , A gross of Woods' Great Peppermint s Cure. . , Damp foot usually rosult in a col . ' Get “NAZOL.’VNo cold is Nazol-proof. 60 doses lfl 6d. Chemists and stores.