POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 81, 22 August 1912, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

LAND transfers. By Telegraph— On Correspondent. _ Wellington, Last Night. An important statement on the subject of the transfers of Crown leases was made by the Prime Minister this afternoon. In reply to a question by Mr. F. 11. Smith he stated that the conditions relating to transfers of Crown leases of settlement lands are governed mainly "by the provisions of section 84 of the Land Act, 1!)0$, which makes all applications to transfer subject to the recommendation of the Land Board. .Somewhat similar provisions have Leon in force since the passing of the Land Act, 18n, in so much as regards transfers being subject to approval by the Land Board, and as each board is conversant with the conditions of settlement in the land district it administers it does not appear advisable to interfere -with a system that lias worked so well for thirty-five years. The Board is not restricted to hard and fast rules, but endeavors to ensure that bona fide' settlement is encouraged, and speculation or trafficking in Crown lands is discontinued.

GIRLS FOR UTAH. The Prime Minister was asked by Mr. McC,ilium this afternoon whether he could formulate a scheme to prevent the Mormons from inducing young girls to join their religion and go'to Utah. The Hon. Mr. Massey replied that the matter would be referred to the Commissioner of Police for report, and if it was found necessary steps would be taken with the -object of preventing any such practice as was referred to. " Mr. McCallum, speaking to the question, said that in his own district they had instances of young girls b ( .: n j b.iptised by immersion, and several had gone to Utah from there. The position was more serious than might be generally considered. " A member: Are they white girls or Maoris? . Mr. McCallum: White girls. SCHOOL TEACHERS' SALARIES. In the House this afternoon Mr. Witty .asked the Minister of Education whether lie will consider the advisability of increasing the salaries of school teachers, and so .bring them on a 'par with other brandies of the service with regard to payment, thus making the service more attractive, and doing away with the necessity of importing, school teachers?

The Hon. Mr. Allen, in reply, said that the Government fully recognised the need for the payment of adequate salaries to those who are engaged in the important ■ work -of education, and would give consideration to the subject, in connection with other matters arising out of the Education Commission's report. Meantime, it might be as well to point out that during the last ten years the average salary of teachers in public schools has risen by 44 per cent., and salaries and allowances have increased from £380,000 in 18991900, to £002,000 in 1910-1911. Of this increase of £244,000, £156,000 4s due to increase in the rates of salary.

SPECIAL RAILWAY POLICY. Speaking in the House this afternoon on the proposal to decrease the fares for children on the railways, the Minister for Railways (Hon. W. H. Herries) said that he was faced with the fact that the employees were asking for increases of wages, and in many cases their demands were just. In addition, members asked for all sorts of concessions, both in rates and fares, and on top of all came a reduction of children's fares, which meant a concession of £50,000. At the same time he was expected to produce a dividend nt least 'equal to 3% per cent. "The thing is impossible; 1 1 can't do it." he declared. The Minister for Railways, with tbn best intentions in the world, could not accede to all the requests that were made. Tf at any time, the finances of tlie railways could afford it lie would be only too ™lad tn give every encoui'-' a gem en t possible to those people who had large families, and lie thought that every department of the State ought to be asked to provide for that very desirable object. "It. ousrlit not." he said, "to be all cast on the Railways Department."

BANKS. During the recess, the Minister for Finance informed Mr. Escott this afternoon, the Government will consider the question of amending the Banking Law so as to allow other than the present banking institutions to carry on business in New Zealand.

TERRITORIALS AND THE LAW. The Minister for Defence (the Hon. J. Allen) was asked this afternoon by Mr. Robertson whether he would stop the prosecution of lads for "non-service as Territorials, until such time as the law was altered. The Minister .gave the following reply: The proposed amending defence legislation will be introduced at the earliest opportunity. Til I this legislation is passed the law as it stands must be complied with, but it is hoped to make provision that anyone convicted, whether committed before or after the commencement of the Act (if passed), who makes default in payment of any fine, may be committed to military custody. THE OPPOSITION LEADERSHIP.

At a meeting of the Opposition this evening it was unanimously resolved to ofTer the position of leader to Sir Joseph Ward. iSir Joseph, however, declined the honor, with an expression of appreciation of the honor conferred on him. The meeting resolved to meet again at a later date, when an executive committee will be elected to carry out the party's business.