POLITICAL NOTES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 590, 2 August 1913, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

Last week the member for Hutt addressed a question to the Prime Minister on the subject of setting up a Royal Commission to investigate the butter rings, who, he understood suggested, had exploited the people of New Zealand. In replying, the Hon. Mr Masgey stated that the Government does not consider there is sufficient indication o? local attempts to exploit the people in connection with the mice of butter to warrant investigation by a Royal Commission, On the contrary the fact that many of the dairy companies retain in cold storage a sufficient quantity to supply their customers through the winter is against the supposition of trust methods.

In the Legislative Council on Wednesday afternoon the Hon. H. D. Bell moved that a Select Committee be appointed, with power to confer with any similar committee appointed by the House of Representatives, to con-

sider the amendments made in the de-

fence legislation by the Act of 1912 in their relation to military custody punishment, alternative service and

such other matters as may be referred to it by the Government, tbe eommitte to have power to call for personß and papers and to report to the Council within 21 days, the com-

mittee to consist of the Hons. Anßtey,

Collins Duthie, George, Hardy, Major * Harris, Rigg, Smith, Sir' W. Russell, and thß mover. The motion was carried.

Ihe Local Bodies Loans Bill, which was introduced in the House on Thursday, provides that a special loan may be raised for more than one purpose connected with public works. Further, a local body may unite with one or more local authorities in raising a joint special loan for any autoorised purpose declared by resolution by each of the local bodies concerned. It is proposed to place a limitation on loans to local bodies by the Advances Office, the total sum borrowed by any one local body not to exceed £60,000 in three years. Provision is made whereby a local authority may raise a special loan outside New Zealand with the guarantee of the State, when the consent of the ratepayers has been obtained. Provisions are added for safegparding the State. It is also understood the Bill will draw a clear dis tinetion between the comparatively wealthy local bodies, which are competent to enter the market on their own account, and those which can afford to raise only small sums. There are other clauses in the Bill which | ■will materially affecc the management ' of local bodies, and the members of county councils will watch its progress j through Parliament with keen interest, j

According to a telegram received by Mr Mac Donald, member for Bay of Plenty, cooiie labour has been engaged in the State nursery at Whakarewarewa. He brought the matter under the notice of the Prime Minister on Friday afternoon, the Hon. Mr Massey giving him an assurance that if the statement was correct the coolies would be discharged, and that they would not be employed in the State plantations.

Parliament has never discusßed the Cost of Living Commisisoner's report, presented to it last session, though at least one section of the House has repeatedly expressed a desire to do so. The Prime Mini?ter assured Mr Laurenson yesterday that he would give a half-day for discussion of the report. He declined to allot a whole sitting day unless better progress was made with business than had been the case so far. According to a return tabled in the ' House on Thursday, there were 114 accidents, fatal and otherwise, caused by firearms in the Dominion during the two years June 30th last. Of this number no fewer than 41 were caused by pea rifles, other firearms accounting for 73.

Thursday is, during the early Dart of the session, known as "Local Bills Day," this being the weekly opportunity afforded to the passage of local Bills, as Wednesday is the dav allotted to the consideration by the House of the legislative offspring of private members. But a variety of side-lines, including rout and the Royd Gar lick appointment, provided pabulum for talk on Thrusday till well after the * supper adjournment. The only local Bill at present on the order paper, Mr Davey's Christchurch Electrical Supply Empowering Bill, not being called till 10 15 p.m., half-an-hcur sufficed ,for the second stage of this measure. There stood next a number of private Bills, headed by Mr Wilford's Gaming Amendment proposal. Taken at 10.45, this comedy meaure was called. The Prime Minister rose and suggested that, as the Bill had no possible chance, it would be only a v?aste of time to continue the adjourned discussion on it. strenuously protested. He referred to the Premier's "brutal majority," amid much callous from both sides, neither of whit:h, it was

evident, had any desire to encourage the irrepressible member for Hutt in ventilating this Bill. He was accordingly counted out relentlessly, and the Gaming Amendment Bill No. 2 was effectually buried among the Blain, the House rising before the clock struck 11.

In answer to an inquiry from Mr Glover, whether the Government intended' to appoint liquor inspectors, the Minister of Public Health explained that inspectors have already been appointed under the various Hospital Boards. Their duties under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act include the taking of samples of liquor. Only recently two hotelkeepers in the Rotorua district Were fined £4O each andjcosts for selling adulterated liquor.