POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19150, 5 November 1927, Page 18

POLITICAL NOTES

[THE PRBSS Social S«rric«.] WELLINGTON. November 4. Why Not a Closure? A method of counteracting obstructionist tactics in Parliament is suggested in a question of which notice was given in the House of Representatives to-day by Mr J. Mason (Napier). Mr Mason.proposes to ask the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a committee to revise the Standing Orders relative to procedure to provide for some form of closure.

Gaming Act Prosecutions. J "How long is this farce going to continue!" asked Mr V. H. Potter (Kcskill) in the House to-day, in drawing the attention of the Minister for Justice (Mr F. J. Rolleston) to the latest Gaming Act prosecutions conducted by the Christehurch police, when the proprietors of the "Weekly Press" were brought before the Court for publishing photographs with prizes to persons whose heads were ringed on the photographs. Mr Speaker wrold not allow Mr Potter to make his comment that the prosecutions were a farce, and the mem: ber thereupon toned his remarks down to asking the Minister how far the police intended to go with prosecutions of this nature, and if their action was justified, soeing that the Magistrate had dismissed tho euchre tburnarient actions, and also the photograph cases.

The -Minister replied he had not noticed the report of the cases, and all he could say was that when the police considered there was an infraction of the law it was their duty to take action. Opticians Bill. It is not certain whether the Opticians Bill will be proceeded with this session. Replying to a question on the point by Sir John Luke (Wellington North) in the House to-day, the Minister for Health (Mr Young) said that he was ready with the measure, but tho arrangement of the Order Paper did not rest with him; A good deal of important public business had yet to be disposed of, and it was a question as to whether there would- be time to deal with the Opticians Bill.

Unemployment. Mr Fraser (Wellington Central) asked the Minister for Labour jn the House to-day whether consideration j had yet been given to the representa- f tions of a deputation that had waited on him from trade unions on the gener.' question of permanent provision for unemployment, in providing work, the setting up of an unemployment Board, and compulsory contributions foe unemployment insurance, and whether Cabinet had taken the whole matter into consideration, with a view to legislation during 1 the present session. The Hon. Mr .Anderson replied that the matter was still under consideration by a Cabinet Committee. He could not say. whether the. matter would be gone into, sufficiently thoroughly to legislate this session. ;. .

Whose Responsibility? Speaking during the debate oh the Public. Works Statenient on. the subject of unemployment, Mr. Sullivan expressed his disappointment with.the. small-;en> deavour made by the Public Works Department to cope with the, situation in Canterbury. He contrasted the Avork made available in Auckland as compare with .Canterbury, though he admitted that there was far more uneih: ployment in Auckland. A heavy bur : den had been thrown upon ■ the people of Christchurch. He hoped the Government would take steps to prevent such a situation in future yearß by getting some schetrfe of works ready be-, forehand. People,, he said, had drifted in from the country to take advantage of the work provided in the city. Of course, none could blame them for doing this, but it was unfair to the local community. The only solution was that the problem, should be, recognised in a national way. Mr Nash: Do you think the Government should take the whole of the responsibility for unemployment? Mr Sullivan: Yes.

Sauce for the Gander! In the House "of Representatives today Mr Atmore asked if the Government, would cut out Ministers' travelling allowances and free . houses, or house allowances, seeing that it could not give private members any additional honoraria owing to the general economic conditions. ' ...

The Prime Minister said the question should be placed on the Order Paper. A reply to another member on a question covering similar ground had already been promised.

The Gaming Bill. A. clear indication of Parliament's views on the proposed restoration of telegraphic betting, publication of.r.dividends, and re-cstablishment of the double machine on racecourses will be. given early next ' week, since the House is to have its promised opportunity of discussing the Gaming Amendment Bill. The member in charge of the measure is Sir George Hunter (Waipawa), and he has received notice from the Prime Minister to be ready to move the second reading of the Bill on Monday night. Unless something unforeseen happens in the meantime, the arrangement mentioned will'be adhered to. . Opponents to the measure in the House are in readiness for the fray, and one member is reported to .have., a sheaf of amendments available for introduction if the. Bilf' goes to the Committee stage. Those behind the Bill, which is not. a Government ■ measure, are understood to be desirous of wasting no time, and are keen to have a division taken as soon as is practicable.