PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2227, 2 November 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

(Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Nov. I. A prominent Government- supporter gives Mr. Massey a following of 35 after the next general election. As tlio member in question has Socialistic tendencies he cannot be accused of bids in the direction of generosity. His estimate is formed by his knowledge of tlie feeling in the country. The Meikle Acquittal Bill will come-, up again on Monday eveningn. There is a- disposition on the part- of a considerable number of members to kill the Bill by moving that it be read a second time “this day six months.’ 1 ' It is possible the objections to the Bill may be met by an amendment stating that the case against Meikle: was not- proved. Petitions for and against the tot-ali-sator, signed by over 71,000 persons,, li-a-ve been presented to Parliament this session. The jietitioners for the abolition of tlie totalisator a few days ago numbered 36,471, and those petitioning in its favor numbered 35,419. Since then a considerable number of petitions in favor of the retention of the machine have been presented, so that by the end of tlie session there will be practically no difference between tlie numbers in the two camps. The Petitions Committee of the House of Representatives have no recommendation to make on the question at issue, seeing that the. Government intend this session to introduce a measure dealing with it.

At the end of the session Air, Alasscy (Leader of the Opposition) is to receive a presentation from Ins constituents and other political supporters in Auckland; in .recognition of the manner in which he has opposed the new land legislation of the Government. The Government propose to refer tho Harbor Bill to a committee, to consist of Alessrs E. G. Allen, Jas. Allen, Buddo, Colvin, Graham, Hawaii, Herries, Hogan, Jennings, Kidd. Lang, Laurenson, AVilford, Wood and Millar. Air. A. L. D. Eraser is to ask the Acting-Minister for Railways (1> whether his attention has been drawn to an article in the AYairoa Guardian of the 27t-li September last wherein grave charges are made respecting a contract entered into between the Department and a j>riyat© citizen, and (2) can lie give an explanation that will refute those allegations?

Air. T. Alackenzie has given notice to ask the Premier whether ho will call Parliament together in Aiay in order that members may devote themselves to the country’s business during the winter months, and be free to attend to their own when the spring and summer months arrive?