POLITICAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 3 November 1919, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

Mf E. P. Rishwortli (Mayor of Lower Hutt) has consented to contest the Hutt scat-against the sitting member, Mr T. M. Wilfcrd. Mr Rishworth is a Reformer. The Premier, when asked by Mr W. E. Field if New Zealand was cooperating with the Imperial authorities in their plans for counteracting the 'American Meat Trust operations, and if the meat purchase was being extended, said he had asked the High Commissioner- t<- ascertain if the Imperial authorities wished to extend the meat commandeer for 12 months from June 30th next. He was unaware what the Imperial 'Government proposed to do in regard to the Meat Trust.

Wednesday’s, . issue of the ‘‘Lyttelton Times”, says (inter alia): —“If there are any good reasons why the people of Biecarton should eject Mr Witty from his place as their representative in Parliament and adopt a political pcdler, Mr John Robertson quite failed last evening to state those ‘reasons. We do not suppose for a moment that the constituency will take the stranger’s candidature seriously. There is a great deal of solid foundation for. the old-fashioned wish of a constituency fo elect a member from it own. community. ’ ’ s' Clause 50 of’the “Washing-up Bill” authorises the acquisition of the remainder of the lands on Kapiti Island by the Government. Mr Massey stated in the House on Saturday that he thought they had better leave Admiral Jellicoe’s report over until next session.

In reply to -u questfon by Sir Joseph Ward, re the increase of members’ honorariums, the Prime Minister stated on Saturday that lie would either make a statement' which the Leader of tho Opposition .could endorse, or he would move a. resolution which Sir Joseqh could second. He said they could not pass legislation on the matter at this period of the session. In committee on the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill, the Minister accepted a new clause ‘ from Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt), reducing from six to five years the period of cesertion after which a husband or wife may institute proceedings for divorce. The Bill was reported as amended, Tend a third time and passed.

A clause in the ‘ ‘ Washing-np Bill ’ ’ approves of the sale Of a quarter-acre section in Otaki township, held as a police station site, to the OtakLTown Board for municipal purposes.

There was an all-night debate on the second reading of the Government Railways Bill on Friday night. Mr Holland moved an amendment to make the decision of the Appeal Board final. This was fost on the voices. A further amendment by Mr Holland to reduce the salary of the General Manager from £3OOO to £IOOO was defeated by 42 to 11. Mr W. H. Field voted for the amendment. Sir Joseph Ward meved to reduce the salary of the AssistantGeneral Manager of Railways (£1250) by £l, as an indication that in the opinion of the members of the House the members of the Second Division were entitled to better consideration. This was negatived by 31 to 23, the Labour members voting with the Government. Mr Massey said he might be able to make a statement .about Second Division salaries before tlic end of the session.