PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 17 July 1901, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

[OtTE PARLIAMENTARY EEPOETEE.] Wellington, This Day. At one stage of,yesterday's proceedings, there was an exodus from the ladies gallery. Members complained that owing to the presence of strangers they could not discuss the subject under consideration —the punishment for obscenity. The hint was quickly taken. Owing to the dearth of domestic servants, Mr Guinness is urging the Government to place a sum on the estimates to assist this class of immigration. "I say without hesitation that this is a fat man-'s clause."—Mr Hutcheson on the proposal to make a minimum line (£2) for using obscene language in a public place. Mr J. Grant, publisher of the Woodville Examiner, is petitioning the House of Representatives for the remission of a line of £5 imposed on him for a breach of the Gambling and Lotties Act, in publishing an advertisement with reference to the holding of an art union in connection with the eight hours' demonstration at Melbourne.

A petition for the acquirement of the Moa Plat Estate for close settlement purposes has been presented to Parliament.

The Legislative Council adjourned over to-day—Arbor Day. The assigned reason but, me thinks, the real cause was the attraction of a race-meeting at the Hutt. " A poor man might get drunk on his last shilling, and use obscene language. He would be unable to pay a fine and would be sent to gaol, while the monied man would pay the fine of £5 and leave the Court." —The Hon. Captain Russell on the Police Offences' Amendment Bill. The Premier.—" It is true that on one occasion we did catch some Chinamen breaking the law, but I can't say they were the right ones." " The Hon. member for Riccarton, being a bucolic member, does not understand nautical matters."—Mr J. Hutcheson.

"The Premier thinks he understands the bill, but it is quite clear that thehon. gentleman in charge of it (the Hon. Mr Mills) does 'not." —Captain Russell on the Chinese Bill.

Replying to a question by Mr Barclay as to the prevention of valuable Maori historical, artistic or scientific relics, etc., boing sent out of the colony, the Hon. J. Carroll said that under the present system a time might come when it would be necessary to go to foreign museums for Maori relics. In some countries the export of such articles was prohibited, and power given to the Government to purchase them.