POLITICAL JOTTINGS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9625, 18 October 1909, Page 3

POLITICAL JOTTINGS.

"What was the outcome of the Police Commission? In my opinion it was that the men want shorter hours, higher wages and each one thinks he ought to be a sergeant."' Remark by the Hon. F. Carncross in the Legislative Council on Friday.

"I don't think the public reads Hansard," remarked Mr Wilford in the House on Friday night. He went on to say that ha did not think that members did unless their attention was drawn to something in it. A man might read his own speech, but he never read another member's speech. Mr Massey: I know that the Prime Minister reads mine. Mr Wilford, proceeding, said that he supposed, so far as the two leaders were concerned, that was the case. "If," he continued, "it were not for the presence of the reporters in the press gallery and Hansard, the session twould not last three weeks. (Hear, hear ) But we cannot do without them, for if we did we would have had 'star chamber' legislation.'

A petition of interest was presented to the House by Mr Ross, M.P., on behalf of G. D. Hamilton, of Dannevirke, says the "Dominion." It was stated to be a continuation of a petition signed by some 50C European and Maori inhabitants of the flawke's Bay and Dannevirke : districts. The petitioner sets forth that he first occupied the Mangatoro Estate in 1857. For about 20 years there were no roads connected with the outside country. This land was acquired from the Maoris on fair terms, at a time when those settling the country risked their property and lives. It was exceptionally difficult country to develop, and, in' its natural state, practically valueless, producing £IOO per year from - stock from over 30,000 acres, but was made to produce over £13,000 per annum gross, and over £8,500 per annum net, out of which to pay interest. After 20 years' occupation he borrowed at 8 per cent, from time to time in all, with interest, £60,000, the total value of his security being estimated by the bank at £139,000. In 1885 the manager of the bank told him he need have no fear but that his bank would carry on the account. At that time another bank was offering sufficient to pay off and carry on the improvements, and he would have made arrangements with others. It was always understood, he alleges, that as long as the business was showing a profit to the good the money could remain owing at current rates. Prior to March, 1889, however, the bank, through its officers, demanded payment of the whole sum owing by him During the month in question it put the property up for sale by public auction, through the registrar ef the Supreme Court, and bought the same for the sum of £5,000.. The conduct : of the bank was such as practically to deprive him of his interest in the property, which was worth at least £6,000 more than the debt, but, owing to the stringency it was, under

the circumstances, impossible to make financial anangements. He had been informed that there had been realised by way of profit to the Bank of New Zealand, after payment of all principal and interest, ' t least £200,000. It was unfair, !;e continued, thit an institution sue", as the Bank of New ZealancJ bhould ab ; sorb , by the" means which he all £cd had been used, the whole of the money which he had put into thy concern, which, with compound interests would now amount to about £120,000 the whole of the money put in by the bank and interest at a hiajh rate and also a large profit estimated at over £BO,OOO. He prayed to be afforded such compensation as justice demanded.