POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2628, 9 October 1909, Page 4

POLITICAL NOTES.

MR. MASSEY AND THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE. L

(Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON. Oct. 8. Tho Leader of the Opposition has for the first time for years been included among the ten members constituting tli Public Accounts Committee. Hitherto Messrs James Allen and W. Fraser were the only members of the Opposition on the Committee, and the Government refused to place Mr. Massey on. unless in. substitution of one or other of those two members. Mr. Massoy naturally objected to the Government’s offer on these conditions. Now that the Opposition is much stronger than formerly, the Premier has thought it diplomatic to add the name of the Leader of the Opposition to the Committee. VARIOUS QUESTIONS. In the House to-day, Mr. Massey gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether he will introduce legislation to enable town districts to take greater advantage of the Loans to Local Bodies Act than is possible at present. Mr. Fisher intimated that he would ask the Government if it intended to introduce legislation dealing with the subject of Chinese laundries. THE PREMIER IRRITATED. The attitude of the Premier on Mr. Herdman’s explanation on and remark# respecting his Public Service BLI. disclosed considerable irritation. The Premier commenced with an expression of his determination to amend the Standing Orders to prevent discussion on a first reading. Had the Bill not been one to which the Government is opposed, no notice would have been taken of the fact, but there is no rule to prevent such discussion, and the late Mr. Sodden more than once set the example of discussing a first reading. In this case the feeling of the House was shown by its allowing, by 56 to C, the introduction of the measure, hut as it is a measure involving money consideration. it will probably not get a chance for the second reading. The Government must approve of such a measure before it. can be brought on for the second reading, and the Government is not likely to do anything of the kind. The Premier denies that there is any change in the Cabinet, or that the matter has so far lieen considered. THE LAND TENURE QUESTION. Nothing is yet definitely known as to the Government’s intentions with respect to the land tenure. The leaseholders in the House are calmly awaiting a clear statement of the position, and the freeholders are hoping for ‘‘the best.” The leaseholders, while they intend to stand fast to their principles, are reluctant to say anything at the present juncture: and the freeholders on the Government side are quietlv confident that consideration will be given to their views. The object of Mr. McLaren’s Marine Accidents Bill is practically to reinstate mercantile law as it was prior to 1903. The effect would lie to nrotect passengers bv vessels from loss in case of those suffering distress from the wreck of a vessel. It would make shipping companies liable for such loss, not in all cases of wreck, but where negligence of the owners or charterer of the ship is proven.