POLITICAL JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1927, Page 4

POLITICAL JOTTINGS

MR GLENN’S CRITICISM

Revelling in his new-found independence, Mr AY. S. Glenn (Rangitikei) made his colleagues in Parliament i'augh heartily when he described a reply by the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, as “ a cut and come again answer—the usual Ministerial tiling.”

Mr Glenn had asked for free railway passes for the Farmers’ Union nurses. The Minister had not responded with larger readiness because the concession would need to he provided by the Railway Department. " 1 notice the Minister of Health is busy reading files,” concluded Air Glenn, encouraged by Opposition laughter. “ I want his attention. This request is made by an organisation with forty branches, and he dare not refuse.” “ STICK TO LOCAL NAAIES.” Speaking in the House on the report of the Tourist Department, the member for Hint (Air T. Al. AYilford) deprecated foreign names being applied to New Zealand scenery. The title “ New Zealand Rhine’ ’ in reference to the AYanganui River, was a misnomer and absurd, he said. The Rhine from Cologne upwards was n hatti’omcoiled, castellated river and the stream was a muddy, turgid one. Tiie scenery was different altogether from that of New Zealand. thc> “drop scene - ' on the AYanganui River standing out alone. Air AA’ilford advised the Publicity Department to stick to local names—Afaori in preference—but to leave foreign names. Al FAIRER SEEKS DEFINITION. " Optometry—that’s an ominoussounding word. 1 hope the Al mister will give the House its definition,” said Air P. Fraser AYellington Central'' in the House of Representatives when, by Governor-General's message a Rill was introduced to “provide for the registration of opticians and to regulate the practice of optometry.”

The Minister of Health (Hon. .T. A. Young) amid laughter, explained that “ optometry ” was not the name of a racehorse. It simply meant “ measurement of sight.”

POWER HOARDS ACT. Legislation amending the Rowe • boards Act for the purpose of simp! tying the rating powers of hoards is l i be introduced this session, a reply along these lines being given by the Minister of Public AYorks (lion. K. F. Williams) to a deputation representing ratepayers from a t-oiilhland 11011-reticu-lation district wificli waited on him • esterclay. The Al blister said the amendment would have the eflect of • uiahling the hoards to put into practical effect their desire tn relieve ratepayers of tiie non-ret ic nlated portion of their area. i

DOROTHY FALLS TRAC K. Air Seddon, AI.P.. has received the following communication from the Alin,ster of Public Works regarding the above : "In connection with your letter o! I lie Jrd iust. with which you enclose ici'ogi'am addressed to you by Air Elcsha Wells of Woodstock in regard to the closing of the Diggers’ Mill and suggest that work he provided for 20 men on the Dorothy Falls track. I have to advise that investigations have since been in hand and I have to-day approved of the placing of 20 men on this work on relief rates of pay. “ An engineering survey of the work is being put in hand immediately, hut it will not he possible to comment';' the relief work for at least one week. The- necessary instructions are being issueil to the District Engineer at Greyinouth with whom the men referred to by Air AA’clls .should communicate.”