Arrangements are to be made for another survey at Jackson’s Head, the old channel having been condemned since the Rotorua touched ground there. The Minister for Labour does not see any reason why trades unions should not be allowed to invest their accumulated funds on mortgage, and have all the privileges of other mortgagees in fore

closing if default is made. Therefore he opposes the amendment made by the Legis lative Council in the Industrial Concilia tion and Arbitration Bill prohibiting any union from owning more than an acre of land. In reply to Mr G. Hutchison, the Minis ter of Lands states that the Government have under consideration the question of giving small advances to settlers in estab lishing dairy factories and creameries in new districts. The Railway Commissioners have again declined to reduce the fares for working men sent in search of employment by. the Labour Department. The Premier thinks they are making a mistake, especially as other companies make concessions, and also in view of the fact that the Commis sioners reduce the fares for football teams, bowlers, and others of that ilk. The A to L Committee has no recom mendation to make concerning the petition of Mrs Louisa Wilkinson, Palmerston North, who asked for the payment of £l2O compensation and £7O 0s lOd. The Speaker rules that the action of the Legislative Council in amending the Indus trial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill by providing for fees for the members of the Board of Conciliation, and thus increasing the appropriation, is a breach of privilege. The Waste Lands Committee has referred to the Government the petitions of Mr G. M. Snelson and others at Palmerston North regarding the right-of-way, with an expression of opinion that the thorough fare should not be interfered with. The Colonial Treasurer informed Mr Larnacli yesterday that the Government were preparing a Bill in the direction of limiting the maximum rate of interest legally chargeable by any financial insti tution or person in the Colony. A petition protesting against the fruit duty was received from Dunedin yester day. Several petitions were received yesterday asking that the working day in factories, especially flour mills, should be eight hours. The Petitions Committee has referred to the Government the petition of William Harper, Palmerston, for further assistance on account of injuries while in the public service. 