POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 117, 25 August 1910, Page 5

POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

THE LAND BILL. ',' ALMOST ENTIRELY FREEHOLD." (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent). Wellington, Xtaai Migat The Premier's announcement of the near approach of the Land Bill has set everybody talking. The Opposition I igenerally declare that it useless forecasting, but that if the Bill it. «i, the I lines of last year's there will be "wigs on the green."* Certain leasenoiu'irs have made up their minds that the Bill will be almost, entirely freehold. "A freehold pill" they call it in advance. They expect, however, the areiu dimensions of Mr. McNab's Bill of 1907, »ad an increment tax, so that the Bill may make the best of things. Others foresee 1 an attempt to steer clear of tenures by the expedient of taxing all lai»u», tensehold' and freehold, and, of courge, that the endowments will be upheld, Wvme of that-party mutter that any attempt at retrtfgrade'laiid legislation, which can only succeed \nth the help of' the Op-, position, must seal the fate of the Government. '■ ■■' ■ |

One prominent member «i wring asked what this might mean, said it meant that the leaseholders are the strongest party in the House, but this turned out to be of the nature of a far cry. The consequences would be visible on the hustings at the. next general election. Others anticipate a dash of Lloyd-George in the matter of transfer, with profound respect for existing freeholders, and the resolute refusal vU»tic optional lease for the future. Of all these no one professes to know anything for certain, and 'the Government keeps close. . 1

PROPOSED PETROLEUM LEGISLATION. The Prime Minister's ;?|uy >o At. 1 Okey's question about impending" petroleum legislation is: "Any legislation that the Government propose'to suimnt •'ill be placed before Parliament unci the honourable.gentleman'can as usual send copies to those concerned, if he so desires. • CO-OPERATIVE "WORKERS. Mr. Hine asked to-day if it is true that there is considerable dissatJslaeiion amongst the co-operative men on t;he railway works through the small amount earned per man. Reeently some gangs had as low as 2s lOd per day per man, which is really a starvation wage. He asked that the -Minister should inquire, and if the allegation is true, to have the co-operative system amended in Taranaki. The Minister of Public Works answered: "I have made inquiry into this complaint, and learn that the number of men on the works was 415, that the period referred to '/as from 2nd to 30th June, and that only the one gang of four men made the rate mentioned in the newspaper paragraph quoted. They were very inexperienced workers. Three of them remained on at the works afterwards and earned 5s 3d per day for the i}ext period. All the other parties on the works made the "usual rates. The average for the whole of the works for the period in question was 8s 2V 2 d and 8s 8d for July. The statement that dissatisfaction exists in the work 9is incorrect." , y