POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 89, 23 July 1910, Page 8

POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

LIBEBAL CAUCUS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday.

A meeting of the caucus of the Liberal party was held to-day, at which 37 members were present, tne remainder being accounted for. The Premier made the following; statement to the press: "I indicated to the party what the course of business would be in connection with some important legislation upon the conclusion of the nna-ncial debate, and that the Extinction of Debts and Sinking Fund Bill would be introduced in the House to-day. rhis will enable members to consider the matter during the debate on the financial statement. I also asked the party its views as to the position of two members desirous of being nominated for the position of the Chairman of Committees. The party decided in favor of Mr. Davey. On behalf of the party, I made a presentation to Mrs. Laurenson, through Mr. Laurenson, of a gold bracelet, expressive of our appreciation of his services as whip, and our regret that he has been obliged to vacate the position through ill-health. I wished him and his wife and family all happiness. The party enthusiastically cheered Mr. and Mrs. Laurenson, singing 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.' Mr. Laurenson acknowledged the gift, and thanked the .pa-.ty for the assistance given him in carrying out his duties." By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.

At the caucus of the Government party 37 were present. The Prime Minister has announced that he has arranged the programme of legislation to the satisfaction of the caucus. PUBLIC DEBT EXTINCTION.

The Public Debt Extinction Bill is in circulation. It provides for the constitution of a board consisting ot the commissioners of the public debt sinking funds, with the addition of a superintendent, the Minister of Finance to be chairman. The loan position is to be reported every year to the Minister within thirty days of the end of the year by certificate showing the total amount of the public debt and the sum which, if invested each year at compound interest at 4 per cent, would, in seventy-five years, equal that amount. That sum the Minister shall pay over to the board at once from the consolidated fund, without further appropriation. The amount shall be invested by the New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Office Board in loans to settlers, to workers and to local authorities, under provisions of the New Zealand Guaranteed Advances Act, 1909. Such loans may be fixed loans, granted for any period not exceeding ten years in the case of loans to settlers or workers, or forty years. in the case of local authorities, or may be granted on the instalment system, in any term not exceeding 36y 2 years. No part of such money shall at any time be invested in New Zealand Government securities. All moneys paid to the suyenintendent, and all accumulations thereon shall be held on trust for the repayment of the public debt, and for no other purpose whatever. If the superintendent shall be unable to invest the whole of the moneys paid to him in securities authorised by the New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Act, 190!), he shall report his inability to do so to the board, which shall direct him to invest the same in such securities not forbidden by this Act as may be authorised by the Governor-in-Council.

THE CHAIRMANSHIP. Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, this afternoon gave notice of his intention to move that Mr. W. Fraser, M.P. for Wakatipu, be appointed Chairman of Committees of the House of Representatives. The caucus decided to-day that Mr. Davey, M.P. for Christchurch East, should be the Government candidate for the position. The party is, however, not unanimous on the point, and Sir Wm. Steward will also be proposed.

THE MOKATJ BLOCK. MR. OKEY ASKS SOME QUESTIONS. By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Okev has given notice to ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that (1) in the face of the recommendation of the select committee of the Legislative Council in 1908. that the Government should order enquiry into the circumstances eonne-V! with the MokauMohnkaini Work. m r i pending such enquiry steps °W-i ' b<> taken to prevent further with the propertv, the Attorney-General refused to give effect to. the rcTTntymndatJon and such enquiry lias not been held nor the property protected from further dealing; (2) whether, at the suggestion of the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, the District Land Registrar of Taranaki did lodge a caveat agninst dealings with the property, and whether the RegistrarGeneral on 2nd May, 11)10, proceeded to New Plymouth and. without judicial authority, ordered the removal of such caveat, notwithstanding that a protest had been lodged against such intended removal upon the grounds that there had been fraud in the dealings that were not allowed to he investigated; (3) whether on the date of such removal of caveat by the Registrar-General certain mortgages were registered, thereby raising an alleged liability on the property of £14,000 .to £40,271 Bs. 2d; and (4) whether he will cause enquiry to 'be made into the foregoing alleged transactions and all transactions in connection with this property since 17th January, 1S!»3, as recommended by the select committee above referred to.