POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 105, 11 August 1910, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

TEES CATTLE IMPORTATIONS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent). Wellington, Last Night In answer to Mr. Okey's question today, whether in selling the male progeny of the different breeds of cattle imported by the Government for tie purpose of improving the breed of the dairy herds of the Dominion, he will see that due consideration is given to fairly distributing the cattle throughout the dairying districts, so thai u>e ixst results may be obtained for the expenditure, the Minister for Agriculture replied that facilities will be given to settlers throughout New Zealand to purchase the progeny of the pedigree cattle at the exper mental farms.

NEW ZEALAND LAND TRANSFER OFFICE. Mr. Okey also asked, whether in view of the representation that 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 at New Plymouth, he will take steps to have provision made for the same on this year's estimates. The present office has for some time been most unsuitable on account of the officers having to work in rooms much too small and artificially lighted, and under present conditions it is almost impossible to keep the records private, the place being altogether unsuitable for the growing needs of the district. The Minister answered that tenders were called for the erection of new Government offices twelve months ago, but they were found too high. Fresh tenders are to be invited.

A VOTER'S PERMIT. To Mr. Dive, who asked whether the Government will ask Parliament to legislate so that a voter's .permit may be exercised at both first and second ballots, the answer was that the anomaly will be dealt with.

MOUNT (EGMONT RAILWAY. Notice was given by Mr. Pearce to ask the Minister of Public Works why, after visiting and publicly condemning the method of crushing and obtaining metal on the Mount Egmont branch railway, he has failed to expend £SOOO voted by Parliament to extend that railway to the main reef where cheaper and better metal can be obtained. Note.Tin !f„'i;l bodies in the district between Wang-.mui and New Plymouth are losing thousands of pounds per annum through this not being completed to enable them to obtain cheap and good metal.* By Telegraph.—Press Association. ABSENT VOTERS' PERMITS. Mr. Dive asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will wrtng in amending legislation this season to provide that a voter's permit shall allow the voter to exercise his vote at both the first and second ballots if absent. The Government, in reply, states that it proposes to deal with the anomaly.

WHAT MARRIAGE COSTS. There is no fee payable for the registration of a "marriage in New Zealand. 'A marriage before a registrar costs £2 2s Cd, made up as follws:—Notice of intended marriage 2s Cd, certificate authorising the marriage £l, solemisation £l. If these fees were abolished the revenue would suffer to tne extent |of £IO,OOO per annum. Our fees compare very favourably with those of other British countries for similar services. There are nearly one hundred registrars of marriages paid by fees, and provision would have to be made for remuneraj ting them in some other way. Moreover, it is doubtful if the Minister for Internal Affairs thinks the giving of further facilities for marriage by civil contract would meet with general approval. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. ' In reply to questions, the Minister stated to-day that in all probability there will be an amendment of the Public Wonts Act this session. Proposals will be submitted to. Parliament in the form of legislation dealing with the question of vaccination on practical lines. The Government has received a large number of recommendations for appointment to the commission of the peace, but they have not yet been fully considered. The matter will be taken in hand as soon as circumstances will permit. The Engine Drivers, Firemen and Cleaners' Association has petitioned the House on the subject of recognition. Wh« the Railways Committee have dealt with the subject the House will have an opportunity of expressing its opinion in regard to the matter.