POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3286, 3 August 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

TOO MANY LAWS.

A HINT FOR MR. MASSEY

ARISTOCRACY OF INTELLECT.

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, August 2. Some views regarding laws and legislators were given this afternoon by Mr. F. Lawry, M.P. for Parnell, in speaking in the debate on the Address-in-Re-ply. Mr. Lawry characteristically described the Address-in-Reply debate as a waste of time, and admitted for the moment he was a political culprit in that respect. Instead of an hereditary aristocracy the Dominion needed an aristocracy of intellect, which would find its principles on the methods that would benefit the people and help in the upbuilding of the nation. Having affirmed his approval of the present Government, Mr La vry proceeded to criticise the policy of the Opposition. A wiser man than the member for Franklin— Mr. Massey: Who was that? Solomon ? Mr. Lawry: Yes, Solomon. Mr. Massey: I thought I had heard that before. Mr. Lawry: Yes, I told you so once privately. (Laughter.) Solomon, Mr. Lawry continued, must have anticipated the advent of the Opposition party in New Zeilin I >lu n fie said that there was nothing new under the sun. Lately the Opposition had. found a policy, and what a policy it was. What was new in it was not true, and what was true was not new. The Governor’s speech revealed the policy of the Government as one of masterly inactivity, and for that reason it should be hailed with satisfaction by the people of the country. He deprecated the manner in which legislation was piled up year after year, and suggested that if the Leader of the Opposition would bring down a measure calculated to simplify and consolidate the measures already in existence, he would have a tenure of office which no previous Premier ever secured.

THE NEW BARONET.

A SUPPORTER OBJECTS

So far in the Address-in-Reply both Opposition and Government supporters have warmly congratulated the Speaker and the Acting Premier on their Coronation honors. No one, however, had up till this evening made even a passing reference to the honors conferred upon Sir Joseph Ward, Bart., and Sir John Findlay. The exception was Mr. Poole, the member for Auckland West, who has been a strong supporter of the Government. He told the House that his endorsement of its actions reached the breaking point when a citizen of this democratic country accepted a hereditary title. (Hear, hgar.) He paid a compliment to Sir Joseph Ward’s ability, industry, and courtesy, hut as a democrat he said he would raise his voice against the hereditary title that had been accepted, and was being carried to this country for use in the future. He thought the Premier had been guilty of a tremendous blunder.

NATIVE LAND LAWS.

LOCAL BODIES AND RATES

The amendments of the Native Land Act which have been submitted by the Acting Premier are intended to improve the machinery clauses of the existing law.

Sir J. Carroll stated this evening that no change in policy was proposed. A reference to the subject was made by Mr. C. H. Poole this evening, who complained that the discretionary power in connection with the rating of native lands, which the Legislature thought it should vest in the Native Minister, had been interpreted by him as being not of particular, but of general application. Many complaints had been made by local bodies that they were unable to secure the rates payable on native land. A member: The section has been repealed. Mr. W. Jennings: The local bodies are under a misapprehension. Mr. Poole said that the position should be made clear.

THE ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES.

A QUESTION DEFERERD

Mr. F. M. B. Fisher asked the Acting Premier to state definitely whether the House would have an opportunity during the session to discuss the report of the Representation Commissioners. Sir James Carroll replied that the question was premature. The report had not yet reached the Government, and when it did it would be considered in Cabinet. After that the question might be asked. THE SECOND BALLOT. A Bill to repeal the second ballot has been introduced by Mr. Fisher. A PETITION TO PARLIAMENT. CLAIM FOR COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCE. The widow of the late Mr. F. Claude, whose brave and prompt action prevented a disaster to the Main Trunk express at Otahuhu on the evening of Easter Monday, is petitioning Parliament for a compassionate allowance. It is stated that the widow and her two young children have been left unprovided for. The train, which the late Mr. Claude saved was carrying His Excellency the Governor and a large number of. other passengers. It is suggested that in this action Mr. Claude, who was not in robust health, suffered a severe shock to his system, which accelerated his_ death. A number of residents of the neighborhood have petitioned Parliament in support of the oetition of Mrs. Claude.

SALE OF POISONS BILL. CONTROLLING BOARD PROPOSED It is proposed to classify poasons in two schedules, one containing those which may be sold by registered chemists and wholesale dealers, and the remainder by shopkeepers. It is proposed that a Control of Poisons Board he constitilted, with power to cancel the license and registration of any person convicted of an offence agaisf the Act, or who is deemed unfit to sell poisons, but there is a right' of appeal to the Suoreme Court. The Board will consist of the Registrar, the Dominion Analvst, the President of the Pharmacy Board, and a person, who is the holder of a storekeeper's license anuointed by the Government It is provided that arsenic and strycn-

nine are to be colored before delivery. Morphia and cocaine are toi bo. supplied only where they are specified in » prescription: or ordered bv, a registered medical practitioner. The person on whose behalf a safe is mad© by an employee, assistant, or annrenticie, is to t>o deemed the seller.

THE AWARUA SEAT.

PREMIER LIKELY TO BE OPPOSED

■ A requisition is (states the Southland “Times”) being ciiculaited calling upon Mr. John Hamilton, of Winton, to contest the Awarua seat against Sir Joseph Ward at tire coming election. Mr. Hamilton has lived at Winton for a number of years, and has been brought before the public through his connection with county council matters.

LEAKAGE OF INFORMATION.

A COMPLAINT

There' has been some talk in the lobbies regarding the leakage of information as to the doings of the Representation Commissioners. Certainly more information than is usual appears , to have been made public before the presentation of the report. One member, referring to the matter stated very emphatically that the- public should not at this stage be made acquainted with the fact that one extra seat is going to the North Island, instead of two or three, as was expected. There also- appears to be some leakage in respect- to possible alteration- of boundaries. At all events there are candidates —would-be members—who state that the altered boundaries will he such as will make' their election a certainty.

SHIPPING AND SEAMEN BILL.

AN AMENDING MEASURE,

The Minister for Marine lias introduced a Bill to amend the Shipping and Seamen Act, which having received the Royal Assent, has now come into operation. The condition on which tlie Act was approved by the Imperial authorities was that the provisions regarding bills of lading should not apply to goods shipped in Great Britain for transport to New Zealand. The new Bill proposes the repeal of the clause m question, and its effect will be that while the New Zealand Government will retain its authority in respect of goods shipped! from New Zealand, it will have no jurisdiction over the bills of lading of vessels trading from Great Britain.

THE LATE MR. T. E. TAYLOR.

AN INTERESTING REVIEW

In a reference to the late Mr. T. E. Taylor, the “Feilding Star” says:—“As the head of a family, it would be difficult to conjure up a more delightful picture than could he seen at any time in Mr Taylor’s own home, where he was surrounded by his handsome and delightful wife and bevy of clever and happy children, five girls and one hoy (aged three years). Mrs. Taylor is a woman in every sense of the term—a considerate companion, a patient helpmeet, and one whose patient admiration for her husband proved a great solace many a time for the hurts and stabs of ‘outrageous fortune.’ No man enjoyed more the joys of domesticity or was happier in the bosom of his family; and yet he sacrificed the pleasures, the consolations, and the satisfaction of it all many a time when he believed he could accomplish something beneficial for the human family at large by giving to its services without stint a portion of the great ability so large a part of his nature. He possessed many talents of which few people were aware, and some years ago he executed a remarkably fine bust of his father, and one of himself, which were speaking likenesses, and he would have made no mean sculptor had he devoted himself to that art.”

CHRISTCHURCH BY-ELECTION.

NO MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE

The Acting-Prime Minister (Sir Jas. Carroll) informed a pressman this evening that none of the prospective candidates for the Christchurch North, seat wiil be announced as the nominee of the Government. “We are going to leave the matter alone," was his terse explanation of the party’s attitude. MR -J. D. HALL’S CANDIDATURE. tPEB T’KESS ASSOCIATION.J CHRISTCHURCH, August 2. A meeting of supporters of Mr. J. D. Hal!, the candidate for Christchurch North was held to-night, and was briefly addressed by the can did ate, who stated he was in favor of financial reform, closer settlement of lands, and Dominion 'settlers bein- put on under the leasehold system, with the option of the freehold. He also favored a Civil Service Board to control appointments to the Civil Service, the settlement of Native lands, compulsory militarv training, and a commission to inquire into idustrial matters A motion was passed expressing the meeting’s confidence in Mr. Hall;, and pledging it to do its utmost to secure his return. A RUSH FOP. ENROLMENT. The returning officer has been very busy to-day receiving applications for enrolment for Christchurch North. The old roll has on it 7925 names, and it is anticipated that the supplementary roll already contains about 2300 names.

THE OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN.

MR. MASSEY’S MOVEMENTS

WELLINGTON. August 2

Mr. W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, will address a meeting at Mastertom on Saturday week and one at Pabiatua on the Monday following.

THE DUNEDIN SEAT

MR. BEDFORD’S CANDIDATURE

DUNEDIN. August 2. It is understood that Mr. HD. Bedford will contest the Dunedin West seat against the Hon. J. A. Millar at the general election as an: opponent of the present Government,and that he will receive the support of the labor organisations as well as that of the Opposition. Mr J. W. Munro, who contested the seat at the last. election, will also be a candidate.