POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 101, 6 August 1910, Page 4

POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent). Wellington, Last Night. HON. CARROLL AT HIS BEST. The Lower House struggled with the [Financial debate, which shows no sign* of closing to-night. A good speech from !l:o Isauve Minister followed .another equally good one from Mr. Herries, whois, of course, the ablest man on his side of the House by far, and always worth. hearing, whether he talks railways, as he did to-night, or any other thing. •Mr. Carroll's speech was a masterpiece of oratory. It is not often that he is on his legs nowadays, but when he is no on* foigets it, and no one stays out of the House. The announcement in the lobbies that "Jimmy Carroll" is up is better than a division call. On this occasion he got up with a cocked hat in his. hand, so to speak, and with the other hand he proceeded to rake intothat hat every estatement made on the other side about Maori affairs and Maori. lands, especially the Maori landa in Taranaki, and all these he swept into the hat without a word of protest from tb» other side. Each and all were deposited in the cocked hat and pressed down with good measure and overflowing. The performance lasted quite a time, and was conducted with the ease and grace for which the hon. gentleman is remarkable. When it was over, Mr. Carroll turned round towards his friends of the other side, and exhorted them genially for thefuture to "get facts." These allegations he had disposed of without note or reference to any papers, books or memoranda. They were not facts. They had been brushed aside without trouble. "For goodness sake get facts," said he with just a touch of weariness in his voice. Then he settled down to the serious work of his speech on behalf of the native race, and ended with a noble peroration that ended the debate for th# night. In the lobbies the speech was I the theme of delightful comment. Opposition members vied with men of the other side, saying it was the finest, speech delivered in the House for years. One memiber declared that as for the reply about facts, it reminded him of a story of the great ''Napoleon, who, coming to a village, demanded chicory andi kept on demanding chicory until the supply gave out, and then proceeded to sajfc v'Well then, now you can get me son* coffee*."

XE-W PLYMOUTH DEEDS OFFICII Mr. Okey will ask the Minister injustice, ''Whether, in view of the representation tliat has been made by the New Plymouth Law Society and others from time to time for better accommodation at the Deeds Registry 'and Land Transfer Office, New Plymouth, lie will take steps to .have provision made fertile same on this year's estimates." (Note.—The present office has for some time been most unsuitable on account of the officers having to work in roomsmuch too small and artificially lighted, and tinder present conditions it is almost impossible to Ikeep the records private,, the place being altogether unsuitable for the growing needs of the district. THE OATH'S BILL. The Oaths Bill, introduced yesterday by the Attorney-General in the Legislative Council, abolishes the insanitary and much absurd practice of ikissing the Book, therein following the English lead of last year. The practice came intoforce some time in the eighteenth century, but why or wherefore no one seems to know. As an oscillatory precaution, i against perjury it has long been the object of ridicule. The Bill does more than abolish it. It supplies tho3e forms of oaths —the oath promissory, the oath legal (for courts of justice) and the oath general, including all forms now permissible. THE WAIL OF IRONMASTERS: The ironmasters made a desperate attack on the Customs tariff yesterday under cover of the Waihi-Paeroa application to the Government for a loan of £30,150. Their ostensible object was to get a condition attached in caate the loan is granted that the money should lie expended in the purchase of local plant and machinery, but the, deputation wandered over the whole field, winding up witih an emphatic statement of the position: either suspend the tariff or drop the Arbitration Act. Mr. Fowlds shuddered as he referred to the undesirability of touching the tariff this year, and declaring it will not be done. He liked the conditions attached, and promised to speak to the Minister of Finance as to the Arbitration Act. He gently referred them to Mr. Millar, and did it so gently =tihat one. thought that gentleman must be sure to say '"Not much!"