PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 485, 5 July 1890, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Monk, the Hon. Mr Mifcchelson stated that a Bill would bo introduced to amend the existing regulations for the prevention of phylloxera, so as to permit the importation of grape vines supposed to be proof against the pest.. PREVENTION OF DUMMYISM. In reply to Mr Monk the Minister for Lands said a Bill would be introduced for the prevention of dummyism, and forbidding speculative acquisition of Crown lands at the Government land sales. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. The annual report for the year 1889 shows that the total societies registered during 1889 was 889. The number of members admitted was 3,021 ; left, 2,776 ; deaths, 158 members and 108 wives; total on the roils wa3 24,938 ; number of sick during the year, 4,010 ; and total payments on sick account, £28,422. THE IMMIGRATION RETURNS placed before the House show that the arrivals from May Ist, 1889, to 30th April, 1890, were 73 nominated and 3 non-nomin-ated immigrants, whose passage money paid on this account wa3 £1,035. Of the whole immigrants Otago got 28, Westland, 11 ; Hawke’s Bay, 11; Wellington, 21; and Auckland only 1. CROWN LANDS. The annual report ol the Crown Lands Department for the twelve months ended March 31st, 1890, shows that the perpetual lease system is still the most popular system of land tenure. Eight hundred and fifty-two selectors have availed themselves of it during the year, being an increase of 24 on the previous year, with holdings averaging 313 acres. Cash purchases come next in order, with 702 transactions, including village settlers, and an average of over 141 acres per holding. The formerly popular deferred payment tenure has fallen from 895 selectors in 1889 to 428 in 1890, with an average aroa to each rural selector of 138 acres. In Taranaki it is still largely the favourite system. The total number of selectors of Crown land for the year, exclusive of pastoral leases, amounts to 2,034, and of these 1,312 selections were held on improvement conditions. There were also 158 purchasers or selectors of education endowments administered by the Department. The system of offering iand for selection before sectional survey has in the opinion of the Secretary of Crown Lands shown itself to bo one which, when applied under proper restrictions, has been and will be conducive to good results. The necessity for depositing with an application for such land the estimated cost of survey has acted as a check to selectors under these conditions, but it also has had a beneficial effect in stopping speculation. Pastoral lands, principally in Otago and Canterbury, have fallen in and have been relet during the year to the extent of 373,296 acres in 273 runs. The colony has lost £24,911 by revaluation of 243 deferred payment selections undor last year’s Act, and £1,152 through a revaluation of ten perpetual lease selections.

CHILDREN’S PROTECTION ACT is an important measure to be introduced in the Legislative Council. It provides that any person over sixteen years of age who, having the custody or control of a child, being a boy under the age of fourteen, or a girl under sixteen, wilfully illtreats, neglects, or abandons, or exposes such child or procures such child to be ill-treated, neglected, abandoned, or exposed, in a manner likely to cause the child unnecessary suffering, or injury to health, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £IOO on conviction on indictment, or not exceeding £SO on conviction in a summary way, with the alternative of imprisonment with hard labour for two years’ and three months’ respectively. If proved that the person convicted on indictment was interested in any money accruable in the event of the death of the child, the Court may increase the line by £2OO. Provision is also made for a restriction in the employment of children. THE PUBLIC BODIES CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT is another important measure introduced b} 7 the Attorney-General, and provides for a more effectual’prevention and punishment of bribery and corruption of and by members, officers, or servants of Corporations, Councils, Boards of Commissions, and other public bodies. Every person who, by himself or in conjunction with other persons, corruptly solicits or receives any advantage whatever as inducement to a reward on account of any member, officer, or servant of a public body, shall be liable to imprisonment for a period nob exceeding two years, with or without hard labour, or to pay a fine not exceeding £SOO or both. The Act also provides for the refund of a fee or reward and disqualification for election. In the event of a second conviction the offender is to be adjudged incapable for ever of holding any public office. FLAX AND DAIRY PRODUCTS. In answer to a question it was stated that the Government, would be pleased to consider any suggestions made as to the condition for a bonus for the improvement of New Zealand flax machinery promised by the Premier. In asking the Government if they would appoint inspectors at the chief ports of the colony to eusure the adequate classification of flax and dairy produce, he urged the importance of both industries and suggested the appointment of a committee of the House bo advise on the subject. The Minister of Lands replied that the Government have had this question constantly undor their notice. They found the difficulty was not to get good butter on the wharves here, but that it should be delivered in good condition in London. They had no objection to consulting with any committee appointed for this purpose. ON GOLD Mr Seddon, in accordance with notice, asked the Government if they would this session introduce a Bill for the abolition of the export duty upon gold. The Minister for Mines stated, in reply, that a Bill was in course of preparation, and would be submitted to the House shortly. In reply to another question by Mr Seddon the Minister for Mines stated that the Government had prepared a Bill having for its object the amendment and consolidation of the law relating to mining for gold and other minerals. PRIVATE SCHOOLS BILL.

This is the title of a Bill introduced by Mr Pyke, in which he seeks to put children attending the private schools on the same footing as those attending Government primary schools, except that only one half the capitation granted to State education is required. The Bill is specially framed in the interests of Roman Catholics, and is only intended to apply to the centres of population. A clause which did not appear in last year’s measure, provided for the qualifying of pupils in private schools for examination, for scholarships, and permits

of their undergoing the usual matriculation examination, preparatory to entering on the University course. DECEASED HUSBAND’S BROTHER. At the request of Mr Goldie, Mr Samuel, solicitor, has undertaken to prepare a Bill legalising marriage with deceased husband’s brother for introduction early this session. REGISTRATION OF VOTERS. When the Registration of Electors Bill is in Committee, Mr Thomas McKenzie proposes, with a view of simplifying the form of registration, that electors applying for enrolment can sign such application before any State school-teacher or Justice of the Poace for the colony. ENDOWMENTS FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION. A return presented to both Houses shows that the following land has been preserved for the purposes of primary education. All that land in the district of Auckland, containing 270 acres 2 roods, and known as section No. 18 of block 2, Waihi South, survey district. APPOINTMENTS DURING LAST YEAR. A return prepared to the order of th e House of Representatives gives the names and salaries of all persons appointed to situations in the Government service during the year ended 3lst March, 1889, as follows :—Colonial Secretary’s office : 11. Nalder, messenger, Nelson, £SO per annum; E. I). McLennan, registrar of electors, £3O ; A. S. Easter, clerk audit offica, Wellington, £l2O ; J. Swift, temporary clerk audit office, Wellington, 10s ; E. H. Lyons, clerk Registrar-General's office, Wellington, £170; Dr. Henry, vaccine distributer, Wellington, £SO ; Dr. King, Medical Superintendent of Asylum, Seaclill'e, £600; Hugh Linton, clerk at Asylum, Seaclitle, £9O. Reference Department: T. G. Bennett, Sub-Lieutenant Permanent Militia, Wellington, £100; J. G. Hume, ditto, Wellington, £150; W. If. Hall, Torpedo Instructor, Wellington, £2OO, vice Blackler, whose time had expired; D. J. Hannah, officer commanding, Invercargill, vice Thomson, retired, £SO ; H. Jerred, Clerk Defence Store, Wellington, £llO ; T. R. Hackeb, arm care, Wellington, £llO ; D. G. Howard, Drill Instructor, Blenheim, £SO.

A further return gives the names of all skilled persons appointed to the Civil Service during the past year :—Colonial Secretary’s Department: Ernest E. Fookes, assistant medical officer, Seacliffe Asylum. Education Department: Misß E. Gibbs, teacher, and Miss S. A. Gibbs, _ assistant teacher to Industrial School, Kohimarama; \V. H. L. Beamish, native teacher, Kopua ; H. G. P. Walmsley, native teacher, Matata. LOCAL OPTION POLLING.

A return prepared in response to a motion by Mr Fish shows the number of votes polled at the last local option polls and at the licensing elections throughout the colony, etc. The number of voters on the roll was 84,029; polled at local option polls, 13,193 ; polled at election of committees, 17,094 ; total number of licensing districts, 385 ; number of districts from which no returns were received, 68: number of committees appointed by the Governor, 77.

MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS BILL

Sir George Grey intends, should his Law Practitioners Bill be passed, to introduce a somewhat similar measure in connection with the medical profession, and providing that every prescription should be written in English. COLONIAL FEDERATION.

I understand that the Cabinet have finally approved of a series of resolutions dealing with the question of colonial federation, but have not decided up to the present time who are to be the delegates chosen to represent New Zealand at tho National Australasian Convention. Further, that they shall comprise four members of the present House of Representatives and three members of the Legislative Council. The resolutions will express concurrence in the decision of the Australasian Federation Conference, which sat in Melbourne in February last, and will empower our delegates to the Convention to consider and report upon an adequate plan for a Federal constitution, and will instruct them that tho constitution as adopted by the Convention, or any document relating thereto, is to be submitted as soon as possible for the consideration of this colony. NEW BILLS.

Notice has been givon of tho following Bills:—Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1881, Amendment Bill, Counties Act Amendment Bill, Gold Duty Abolition and Mining Property Rating, Mining Companios Act Amendment Bill, Thames Harbour Board Bill, Westport and Greymouth Harbour Boards, Westport Ngakawa Railway Extension Bill, Directors Liability Bill, Licensing Act, 1881, Amendment Bill, Bills of Lading Bill. Mr Downie Stewart gave notice yesterday afternoon for leave to introduce the Strikes and Arbitration Bill, 1890, which appears to bo one of considerable importance, dealing as it does with the question of capital and labour. The Bill provides that whenever a dispute or difference arises between an employer and the Union, or members of the Union, such dispute shall be referred to four arbitrators, two chosen by each party to the dispute, and an umpire to be appointed by the four arbitrators, or in case they cannot agree on a suitable umpire, the Resident Magistrate for the district shall act. Tho object of the Bill is to prevent the necessity of strikes resulting in great hardships to workmen, and losstoemployers of labour.