POLITICAL JOTTINGS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1924, Page 2

POLITICAL JOTTINGS.

“ANOTHER FARCE.” “This is another of the farces of Parliamentary life,” declared Mr F. N. llartram (Grey Lynn) in the course of the long discussion on the suspension of the standing orders to contra the debate on the Gaming Bill. “Hear, hear,” said the Prime Minister. Mr Bartram: 1 am glad to lie in agreement with the Prime Minister for once. It it quite refreshing to hear him say “Hear, hear” to anything I say. (Laughter.) I am inclined to think that lie is largely responsible for the farce. (Laughter.) RACING TAXATION. “The mattter is at present under consideration,” the Prime Minister said in the House, in reply to a question by Mr F. J. Rolloston (Timaru), which ran as follows:—"Whether it is proposed to introduce legislation this session to provide that the totalisator tax, which is now a flat rate of 2) per cent, oil all clubs, shall he graduated so that without reducing revenue relief may he given to smaller racing clubs and the burden of the tax distributed more equitably?” .“ BEAM WIRELESS.”

Replying on Monday in a question given notice of by the Leader of tho Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilford), the lion ,1. G. Coates (Postmaster-General) stated: A copy of the conditions of contract between the Postmaster-General in England and the .Marconi Company regarding the ‘beam’ wireless system lias been received. In the event of •beam’ or any other wireless system Jiriug adopted in New Zealand suitable provision will l>c made in the agreement for the Government to he indemnified against any failure of such system.” HARP,OCRING AN INFANT. Replying to a question as to whether he would take into consideration the desirability of amending the Police Offences Ac t to make it an offence punishable l,v fine or imprisonment to harbour an infant against a parent’s wishes, the lion Mr Parr (Minister for Justice) stated on Monday night: "This matter appears to lie sufficiently dealt with by the Infants Act, 1908, sec tion (i of which provides that the Supreme Court may make an order as to the custody of, and right of access to, ail infant. Aliy one not complying with such an order would be liable to punishment for contempt of court.

INQUIRY ASKED FOB. In reply to a question by Mr P. A. de la Perrellu (Awarun) the Hon Mr Xosworthv (Minister for Agriculture), said that tho position as regards agricultural education is being gone into in conjunction with the Education Department, at the present time, and in this connection the setting up of a commission or committee, to go folly into the whole matter, is under consideration.