POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 959, 28 October 1910, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE GAMING BILL.

The time given to the Special Committee set up to consider the Gaming Bill expired yesterday. Oα the request of the Chairman (Mr. G. Laurenson) the Committee was granted an extension of time of a week. JOTTINGS. ' Replying to a question put by Mt. Wright, the Prime Minister stated in, the House on' Wednesday that if is not intended tn appoint area officers under the new defenco scheme before the Commandant arrives, and that there 'is no. necessity to,do so until the areas have beien denned. . ■

"It may be forgotten, but I*- was the first man in this Parliament to move a motion in favour of universal training up to twenty-one years of age."—Mr. Mnesey.

"The hoa. gentleman who 'poses as the encyclopaedia of the Government'.'—Mt. Massey, referring to. Mt. Laurenson. . "The Minister: who. sets himself to introduce a Stone Quarries Bill requires tho heart of a hero.* , —The Hon. Dr.. Findlay, after-a third bout with the above Bill in the Legislative Council.

"There was never ; a connipt monarchy that had a . tamer Parliament to deal with when it was desired to wring extra taxation out of the people."—Remark by Mr.-T. E. Taylor.

"Wβ should have some sort of backbone, and not be'like so many jellyfish." —The Hon. Geo. Jones, M.L.C., commenting on the attitude of certain, members ■in regard to ths Stone Quarries Bill.

: Where is tie Government's, legislative programme for the rest of the session? This pertinent inquiry was made by Mr. Malcolm, M.P. for Clutha, just before the dinner adjournment of the House OB Wednesday. Amid interjections from impatient members on the Government, side, Mr. Malcolm went on. to explain the advantages which wooid accrue if the programme nad- been drawn up. It would, he said, ensure that Ministers would, have their Bills ready for consideration.' The Hon. D, Bnddo interjected that' tho Order Paper had been; full all the time. "You know that the Bills were not ready," commented Mr. Malcolm just , as Mr. Speaker announced the adjournment. ... ■ .',. . .