PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 491, 23 July 1890, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Wellington', July 19. ADULTERATION OF PEPPER. The Commissioner of Customs has informed Mr Fetdwiok that the duty of fourpence per pound has been imposed on ground olive atones, imported into the colony for tho adulteration of pepper. This imposition he believes to be fo prohibitive that it will render unnecessary the enforcing of the provisions of the Adulteration of Foods Act in this respect. ADVERTISING THE COLONY. Tho Colonial Treasurer has informed tho Hon. Mr Larnach that ho recognises tho desirability of having reliablo information concerning this colony transmitted daily by telegraph to alt the colonies of Australia and Tasmania, in order to create a more active interest in those colonies for the colony of New Zealand. The matter is likely to receive favourable consideration by the Government. LAND DEPARTMENT RETURNS. The area of land disposed of on settlement conditions for the quarter ended 30th June, 1890, was 129,772 acres and 473 selectors, against 115,568 acres and 543 selectors for the corresponding quarter of last year. The pastoral lands leased for tho quarter ended 30th June, 1890, amounted to 355,918 acres, comprising 44 runs, against 2,857,398 acres and 110 runs for the corresponding quarter of last year. When the Canterbury runs were let the land revenue for the quarter ended June 30lh, 1890, totalled £53,972 13s Id, against £27,679 15s 5d for the corresponding quarter in tho previous year. DUTY ON BAULK TIMBER. In accordance with notice, Mr Goldie asked yesterday afternoon whether the Government had, during tho recess, looked into the question of imposing nn export duty on baulk or unsawn timber with a view to the protection of local labour. He stated that during the year 1888 the quantity of baulk timber exported was so large that if it had been sawn in the colony it would have provided work for ton or eleven thousand workmen in the North Island. The reply received was to the effect that the Colonial Treasurer had had this matter under consideration, and found that the export of baulk timber during the past year would not warrant them in taking any action in the direction indicated. The quantity of round logs exported had decreased largely. The export of hewn logs had largely increased, and the export of sawn timber showed a great decrease. They had, therefore, nob come to any conclusion to place an export duty on baulk timber, bub the subject was still under consideration. THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. In answer to Mr Goldie’s question as to how many of the ninety-eight officers formerly in the Public Works Department, who were said to have been discharged, had been transferred to other departments in tho Government service, the Hon. Mr Fergus has made the following statement Thirty-three officers were transferred to other Government departments, but not for doing work connected with the Public Works Department; eleven officers wore transferred to the Public Buildings Department, which has control of £2,500,000 worth of property and thousands of public buildings throughout the colony. Other officers were transferred fothe Justice, Defence and Audit Departments to fill vacancies as they occurred. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. The Hod. Mr Hislop stated in tiie House of Representatives yesterday afternoon that the Government recognise the importance of preventing any bank, or other financial institution, from advancing money to any of its directors. They hold, however, that events that had fcakeu place in the past had taught such a lesson that there was not likely to be any default in this respect for some considerable time to come, and consequently did not think the matter of sufficient importance to replace more urgent legislation. In reply to another question Hon. Mr Hislop said that so far as business foreign to their charters was carried on by banking or other financial institutions, he apprehended that any individual shareholder would be able to bring it to an end. In introducing any measure to deal with this matter, great care would have to be taken in order that what had beeu done in the past should not be brought too abruptly to an end, but the Government would be glad to confer with the hon. member who had asked the question (Hon. Mr Larnach) with the view of promoting some such legislation as appeared to bo desirable. EXHIBITION OF MINING PRODUCE. Mr Cadman asked the Minister for Mines yesterday afternoon what had become of the ore produce of the Auckland mines sent from Melbourne to the Paris Exhibition, and was informed that the specimens presented to the French Government were presented with the consent of the owners. Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed with the result of the efforts made in this colony to have the goldmining interests of the colony properly represented elsowhcre. Tho Minister for Mines eventually promised to endeavour to secure anything in the shape of mining exhibits representative of tho colony with the object of making a suitable collection for exhibition at any future time. POLICE PENSIONS.

Some discussion took place in the House yesterday afternoon as to the legality of granting retiring allowances to members of the police force. It was stated that under the present regulations officers received two years’ pay, while men only received one year’s pay as retiring allowances. Several members urged the desirability of placing officers and men on an equal footing in this respect, while others urged that neither should be granted retiring allowances. In support of this view Mr Goldie pointed out that members of the force were well paid for seven days in the week, and received. in addition what was known as long-service pay. The Minister for Justice said there was no regulation for giving retiring allowances to policemen, although this had been customary, and it was a proper question for Parliament to consider whether there should be retiring allowances or nob. .He suggested the establishment of an insurance fund in connection with the police force. AUCKLAND PETITIONS. Sir George Grey has presented a petition from Marianne Heighten, of Te YVairoa, Hawke’s Bay, asking for a continuance of the pension of 20s per week allowed to her late husband, Richard Lohn Deighton, for services rendered during the native disturbances. Edwin Harrow, of Lake Takapuna, petitions the House for exemption from payment of the property tax on the ground that he has become a perfect pauper so far as income is concerned through decrease in tbevaiuq of his property.' JUVENILE OFFENDERS. A return, prepared on the motion qf Mr Goidie, contains some interesting information with respect to the 294 offenders undef

20 years of ago received into thß prisons of the colony, and referred to in a recent report presented by the Inspector of Prisons. Under the heading of nationality, England is represented by 61; Scotland, by 10 ; Ireland, 15; New Zealand, 190 ; Australia, 14; America, 1 ; Franco, 1 ; Denmark, 2: Total, 294. Religion; Church of England, 126; Roman Catholic, 70 ; Presbyterian, 44 ; Wesleyan, 18 ; Baptist, 9; Methodist, 3; Salvation Army, 2 ; Lutheran, 2 ; Jewish, 1 ; Freethinker.-”, 19 : total, 294. Concerning tho dogree of education attained by the 294 offenders, 256 read and write, 10 read only, and 2S are unable to either read or write. APPOINTMENT OF JUDGE EDUARDS.

Correspondence relating to the appointment of Mr Edwards as Commissioner of the Native Land Court and as Judge of the Supremo Court, has been presented to the House by the Minister of Justice by order of the House of Represenlatives. A letter from the Premier dated March Ist, 1890, informs Judge Edwards of his appointment permanently to these offices at a salary of £1,500 per annum, and a letter written by Judge Edwards on the sth March contains an acceptance of the appointment on the terms named. A note appended to the correspondence refers to the doubts experienced subsequently as to tho legality of the appointment of a sixth judge, and before hi 3 salary had been fixed by Parliament, and states that alter a conference with the Attorney-General, the Chief Justice found that there were several precedents for the adoption of euch a course, and felt it no longer necessary to press his doubts as to the extent of standing in tho way of Mr Edwards acting as a puisne judge of the Supreme Court. COLONIAL MEAT IN ENGLISH MARKET. The Hon. Captain Russell has laid before the House a Bill introduced in the Houso of Commons for regulating the sale of foreign and colonial meat, and to prevent foreign and colonial meat being sold as British and Irish meat. The Act provides a penalty of £2O for selling or exposing for sale foreign or colonial meat in shop, stall or other place or vehicle, other than over which there is displayed conspicuously the words indicating that foreign or colonial meats are sold there. PACIFIC CABLE SCHEME. Some interesting information was given by the Postmaster-General in the Houso of Representatives yesterday afternoon with reference to the cable lines throughout the Eastern Archipelago. In reply to a question asked by Mr Hobbs the hon. gentleman stated that the Government had received no direct communication from the Pacific Cable Company, but ono of the directors of the Company visited tho colony about eighteen months ago and had an interview with the Premier. It seemed the Company had been formed, but the Government had no information as to whether its capital had been fully subscribed. The Imperial Government had gone to very gieat expense in sending steamers to take soundings between Australia and Vancouver Island, As far as the Government knew, it was proposed to go on with the work if the Australian colonies an annual subsidy of £25,000, of which New Zealand’s share would be £2,500. The Government recognised the desirableness of joining in the subsidy to the cable, and as soon as any proposal was received from tho Company they would bring the matter before tho House. THE GREAT BARRIER MAIL SERVICE. The reason why the Government had not continued to subsidise the mail service with the Great Barrier was explained by the Postmaster-General yesterday afternoon. The Northern Steamship Company, it appears, refused to make a fresh contract for the conveyance of mails for £l5O per annum or any other sum, because the trade of the island was given to sailing vessels. The Government had made inqui y with the view of getting others to take the subsidy up, unsuccessfully, for £l5O or £2OO per annum, and they were still prepared to grant a subsidy to that extent. THE NEW ZEALAND FORCES. An interesting report, prepared by the Under-Secretary for Defence under this heading, states that the officers, non-com-missioned officers and men of the garrison branch of the force have undergone a course of instruction in drill and artillery duties which in previous years was not attainable in consequence of tho general and diverse work they had to perform in connection with the construction of batteries, the result boing a marked improvement in both drill and efficiency, and he has much pleasure in stating this was favourably commented upon by Major - General Edwards, C. 8., R.E., during his recent inspection. Although there was a slight increaso (34) in the numerical strength of the volunteer force on th® 31st of December, 1889, as compared with 1888, notwithstanding the disbandment or conversion into rifle clubs during the year of no fewer than 17 corps, tho fact that out of 7,651 men returned on the rolls, only 5,779 earned capitation does not admit the results for tho year being deemed very satisfactory. In the case of the “O ” Battery at Auckland, the attendance of the officers and men was all that could be desired, and some of the detachments at actual gun-drill were thoroughly efficient, but when it came to an examination of their knowledge of artillery questions and of their duties with regard to ammunition, stores, etc., in connection with the guns they used (which are essential points in the training of an artillery man), it was found that these subjects had not received the attention required to ensure proficiency in them. The liabilities at the 31st March were £1,850 upon material and miscellaneous charges, to which has to be added the deficit of £B4l above mentioned, making the actual liabilities £2,691 in all, which required to be covered by a small vote out of loan, and £1,418 upon works which will merge in the current year’s expenditure. The total outstanding liabilities at 31st of March amount therefore to £4,109. The values of land acquired owing to the exigencies of negotiations in excess of actualrequirements and of engines, plant, etc., on works, and ammunition, are £12,000. This sum is an asset against the cost of defences. The total expenditure on harbour defences up to 31st March, 1890, has been in round numbers £458,000, of which £238,000 represents the cost of material of war from England, and miscellaneous charges connected therewith, and £220,000 the cost of works in the colony. Of this latter sum, about £35,000 has been paid for land, and the balance, £186,000, represents the cost of forts, batteries, submarine defences, steam launches, reports of Royal Engineer officers, engineering supervision, and all other charges. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS LEGISLATION.

In the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon, on the motion for third reading of the Industrial Schools Act Amendment Bill, the Hon. J. N. Wilson moved that the Bill be re committed generally, and’ said that if the Bill were committed he woqld move a new clause, having for its object the separation in schoola of those children

who were convicted and thote who had nob been convicted. It was, he thought, perfectly revolting that innocent children whoso only crime was that they wore unfortunate, should be compelled to associate with criminal children. If tho Government accepted the motion he intended to move, ho would bo satisfied if it did not come into effect until the first day of the next sosions of Parliament. After discussion tho motion for third reading was agreed to. ELECTIONS AMENDMENT BILL. The object of the Registration of Electors Amendment Bill, introduced by Mr Guinness, is to provide that if at any election (except for city electorates) the successful candidate does not receive a majority of all the votes polled at tho election, a second poll shall be taken within seven days, to decide which of tho two candidates who polled the largest number of votes at first poll shall be elected.