POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 63, 1 August 1912, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

(From our own correspondent.) THE OPPOSITION. Wellington, Lust Night. It is understood that the Opposition will not at present elect a leader, but will agree to place its affairs in the hands of an executive body, pending the time when it will lie able to determine its position under the changed conditions. LAND POLIC'f. A faint indication of the Government's land policy was given by the Prime Minister thin afternoon in answer to Mr. McCalluni. The policy of the Government in regard to cottage farms, said the Hon. Mr. Massev, will be dealt with in the Financial Statement.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Before the House adjourned three weeks ago Mr. Witty gave notice to ask the Governme.it whether it would remove nil civil and political disabilities from civil servants. This afternoon the Prime Minister replied that the whole subject of the organisation of the service and the status of civil servants is under the consideration of the Government. LAND VALUATION. An interesting question relating to the joveinnient valuations was recently put to the Minister in charge of the Valuation Department by Mr. Forbes, member for Hurunui. This afternoon the Prime Minister made the following interesting leply: "There are no special valuations made for rating and taxing purposes, as is implied in the question. The principles of valuation observed by the Valuation Department are that land has only one value for all purposes, and that the valuations .heing impersonal are independent of influence of corporate bodies or individuals. Under the procedure now followed by the Department, valuers personally consult with the owners, where possible, as ti> the values assigned to their properties, and in ca-ses of disagreements compromises justified by the hypothetical basis on which the valuations are made are effected. In this way many cases have been satisfactorily settled without reference to the Assessment Court. .As a rule, the valuers, during the period which elapses between the receipt of the objections and the sittings of the Assessment Courts, interview objectors where practicable. This procedure has been carried out so successfully with the revaluation of rural lands during the past two years that the Assessment Courts iiave been dispensed with in several instances. For the above reasons I am of opinion that it is not necessary that a representative of the local bod'v should assist the Government valuer." " IMMIGRATION. The question of immigration, said the Prinie Minister^ this afternoon, in answer to Mr. Okey, will receive the very careful consideration of the Government, which up to the present time, has not been possible. Reference to this subject, he added will be made in the Financial Statement! THE PEA-RIFLE NUISANCE. If necessary, said the Prime Minister in answer to Mr. Lee, legislation will be introduced with the object of minimising or abolishing the pea-rifle nuisance. ADVERTISING NEW ZEALAND.

A statement on the subject of advertising New Zealand was made by the Prime Minister, in answer to a question bj Mr. McCallnm. The Hon. Mr. Massey said: ''The attention of the Immigration Department has, from time to time, been directed to the manner in which the Governments of the Dominion of Canada and the States of Australia advertise the respective advantages of their countries, and all possible inducements have been offered to suitable immigrants to this country. It must not, however, be overlooked that New Zealand has not lands that may be allotted to incoming settlers on exceptionally favorable terms as is the case in Canada. But it can confidently be state that owing to the care taken by the High Commissioner in London to select eligible settlers from those applying for assisted passages, this Dominion draws to its shores new settlers with qualifications more than equal, in every respect, to those attracted by 'the vast resources of other and larger countries. The Government expects that with the reorganisation of the High Commissioner's Department, more will be done to bring the right class of immigrant to New Zealand than has been the case in the last year. THE MINISTERIAL VETO.

Replying to a qnostior by Mr. Veitch. tile Minister for Railways said that ho would give full consideration to the request (hat the decision oi the Government Railways Appeal Board shall be final, before pertain proposals that are now being reviewed in connection with the Government .Railway Act are determined. .RECIPROCITY. The Tlon. F. 'lf. I!. Fisher informed "MY. Forbes (his nflenioon Hint the matter of reciprocal (rndc with Australia is reccivinir the attention of the Government, and as soon as possible steps will be taken (o improve the Unding relations of the two countries.