POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 107, 13 August 1910, Page 4

POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

DESTITUTE PERSONS BILL. By Telegraph—Own Correspondent. Wellington, Thursday Night. An anti-gambling petition recommended to the favorable notice of the Government was a matter for the Council's ap- i petite for the continuation of the debate on the Destitute Persons' Bill. Mr. Samuel, who had moved the adjournment, continued and moved most of the members to wrath, or at least weariness. He wanted the whole mass of detail swept away, botli the new and the old, and, coming to the only thing left, the penal causes, he asked the AttorneyGeneral to temper justice with mercy, and. let the whole thing go by the board. It was a calm, long-winded, closely-de-tailed attempt of the friendliest to get the measure, which is one of the great series on which the Attorney-General plumes himself mightily, wiped out entirely. One thing is certain. After the speech of Mr. Samuel, which, including the time devoted yesterday, was nearly four hours, no one will be able to say that the Council lends itself deliberately to hasty legisation.

Mr. Sinclair thanked the lion, gentleman for the very great assistance he ■had given the Council in the matter of intricate detail, with which the Bill abounds, and of the very far-reaching matters with which it i* brimming. There is something in that, for tne Bill is vastly multitudinous, but as a well intentioned l enactment for the grappling of a vast and vastly spreading vice, it has got the ear of the Council, and will not be much altered there, in spite of the tremendous spurt of sentimentalists, amder the Hon. Oliver, may develop. In the House of Representatives one might almost have said that to-day's speech was a stonewall. Of course that would be absurd in the Council. No doubt if the Hon. Oliver were possessed of the gift of condensation it would be better for his oratory. His speech, however, was a monument of industry, and very commendable to the hon. gentleman. THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL.

In "another place" the beginning was enlivened by a question, of which notice was given, Is it true that Captain Seddon is to be the new Adjutant-General? There was an electric shock, and many men thought of many things, m.ire particularly the trouble of the slam!- r case, of which the member for Chri?: church sitting there was one of the.heroes. The Defence Minister could be quite equal to the occasion, and answered the question right off, to the effect that nothing is to be done in anything until' the big new man comes out from Home to put everything in order. CHAIRMAOJ OF COMMITTEES.

After this sensation a rumor floated up and down that the Government had come to a decision in the matter of the chairmanship of committees, but the efforts of all the King's horses and all the King's men failed to extract any name from the Government.

In re the chairmanship, there is an idea that Mr. W. Field may be the nominee. The Opposition are determined to stonewall rather than take the Estimates under a temporary chairman, so the position is serious. A suggestion was abroad for a moment to "chuck" party and leave it to the ballot, but the storm shut it out. It would be a good thing nevertheless. SERVICES EST THE MAORI WARS.

Mr. H. Okey ihas a question for next Wednesday to the Minister of Justice, Whether it is a fact that no public notification has been given in the newspapers in the different districts that forms for claims for services rendered during the Maori War may Ibe had from the different postmasters throughout the Dominion, and by whom such claims may be heard? (Note.—>As this is intended to be the last chance for dealing with such claims, it will be unfortunate if full information of such enquiry is not given).] ALLOWANCES OF DEFENCE '■ OFFICIALS. Mr. Okey has given notice of motion that there be laid before this House a return showing—(l) The number and names of officers in the Defence Force receiving house allowance; (2) the amount of such allowance in each case; (3) whether the officers are married ot single. , Wellington, Last Night. REPLY TO HON. SAMUEL.

The Council read the Destitute Persons Bill a second time, after the Attor-ney-General ihad replied very fully to the Hon. Samuel. Others had done so before ihim, but bis reply was not the less cogent on that account. It was noticeable, at the same time, that while making it clear that the hon. gentleman was wrong in his law and fanciful in his facts, he used no 'hard words, and may therefore be said! to have let him down easily. The Bill was referred to the Joint (Statutes 'Revision Committee. The CouncE stands adjourned till. Wednesday. A CALM DAY.

The House spent the day calmly on the Financial debate. Many members have gone South. The Northern party stars for Auckland atoout 10 o'clock tomorrow, and will be back on Tuesday afternoon, taking the debate at halfpast seven. CHAHRMANiSHIP OF COMMITTEES.

There is no change to report in the matter of the Chairmanship of Committees. Three names are current of likely nominees, viz., Messrs. Field, Hanan and Russell. STRATFORD-OM3ARUE RAILWAY. Mr. (Hine is to ask the Minister of Public Works whether provision will be made for a substantial increase in the appropriations this session for the prosecution of the Stratford-Ongarue railway line so that a large section of the settlers in the Ohura district may be enabled! to participate in the benefits of railway communication with their nearest stock market and seaport.