POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2819, 7 August 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(IIY TKI.KUHAPH—OWN COKRKSL'ONIiENT.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

A rKTITION of considerable importance to members of Friendly S icieties was presented to tile lionse yesterday by_ Mr Ormond on behalf of the district otneers of the .Manchester Unity of Oddfellows of Hawlte's Bay. Dr. Maelirepor in his last, report on hospitals and chaiitatile aid said that one of the least noticeable of the efforts of Friendly Societies is to inereaso the number of our hospitals. This assertion is warmly resented by the petitioners, who point out that the members of the Friendly Societies are a self-reliant body and by their policy materially assist the Government by reducing the expenditure for hospitals aiid charitable njil. also that within the last 10 years £32!),535 has been spent by the registered societies of the colony in sick pay and medic d ..ttendauee. It follows, they add,, that, had not the members of Friendly Societies by their forethought and economy made provision for themselves and their families against periods of sickness, the (..Tovernment would have been called upon to expend larger sushs for charitable aid. .The proof that as a rule they do not resort to chantable aid in time of sickness and distress is to be found in the fact that on the 31st December 18S8, the capital 'if the funds from which payment? could be drawn was 4:103.754. The petitioners appeal to the House to take steps to remove the blemish and aspersions cast upon the Friendly Societies of the colony by the inspectors statement witli respect to the Friendly Societies of the colony. DUMMYISM. Mr Fulton, Chairman of the Waste Lands Committee, has informed the House that as to the question of diunmvism referred to thorn for consideration, they were unable to get on for want of e\ ideuce, and the Committee had instructed him therefore to ask the Members of the House if there were any witnesses or evidence they could produce to inform the Committee of it as soon as possible.

SIR JULIUS Y( KIEL'S CLAIM. Mr Mitchelson laid on the table yeslurday, p ipers relating to Sir Julius Vogel s claim against the colony. Mr Larnach asked why the Wellington' Crown Prosecutor hari accepted Sir J. Yogel's retainer. The acting-Premier said leave had been given by the t. lovernment. The late ( tovernnn.Mit had granted Mr Bell permission to act for Sir J. Vogel, and he had been so acting over since. When this petition was presented to him for service on the SolicitorGeneral, Mr 801 l asked the Government whether they would have any objection to his conducting Sir Julius' case, and they had replied in the negative. ment iuivo been advised that Sir Julius Vogel's action is barred for three reasons: —Firstly, under the statute of limitations, the six years provided for having elapsed ; secondly, under the Crown Suits Act (one year); and, thirdly, because Sir J. Yogel's agent (Mr If. B. Vogel) must show that he has sufficient authority to sign the petition.