POLITICAL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9789, 12 October 1917, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES

THE END OF THE SESSION SATURDAY FORTNIGHT SUGGESTED -BY PREMIER. A further sign of the near approach of tho end of the session was seen yesterday afternoon in the announcement by the Speaker (Sir F. W. Lang) that on. and after yesterday bals could be put through Ml their stages after 12 o’clock. . Later, replying to an interjection by Mr G. Witty, M.P. for Riccarton, the Prime Minister hazarded the suggestion that tho session would come to an ed on Saturday fortnight. I cannot bo certain, however,” he added. -Nobody can. bo certain. ’ AFTER THE BATTLE. Tho main talk yesterday in the lobbies of the Houso was about the exciting happenings of the night before. Humours were rife about the encounter in the lobby tbo previous evening, and accounts more or less exaggerated were in circulation. Both meimibors who engaged in the stand-oip fight appeared in the House in the afternoon,- looking none tho worse tor thoir tussle of tho previous evening. One of tho members concerned appeared rather elated over the inference placed on the non-appearance previous evening after the fight or his opponent-a-t-.arms, Tho inference to be drawn was unfounded, as the belligerent member concerned did not show b mark following on his encounter. The rumour that tho member for Nelson, and the member for Dunedin South were to have a twenty-one round fight on tho lawn in front of the House last night proved to ho unfounded. THE NEW IiiLBCTORAL BOUNDARIES. The whole of yesterday afternoon in thq House was spent in discussing tho new electoral boundaries. Members were practically unanimous in condemning the new boundaries. They appeared to he anything but pleased with the addition or substraotion of portions of district® as far as their districts were concerned. Not a few ■members advanced ihe argument that the present unsatisfactory position was a big argument for proportional representation. One member strongly condemned the boundaries in that they were a distinct injustice to some hotels placed* by the new order of fillings in horlioense areasA POLITICIAN’S LOT. A strong pica for a more generous salary for members of Parliament was made in the House yesterday by Mr G. W. Forbes (Hiurunui). He remarked that the public appeared to think that the life of a politician was all “beer and skittles.” On the contrary, it was. anything but pieasant to nave to sit all day and listen to some of the members speaking (Laughter and cries of derision.) Tfie public appear ed to think it rather entertaining until they themselves attended Parliament, Really, if any Minister would move in the direction of increasing members’ salaries he would support it. Members had no end of expense travelling over their electorates, sending telegrams, posting letters, and so on. PUBLIC “WORKS'ISTIMATES TO-NIGHT. To-night the House probably will go into Committee of Supply to consider the Public, Works Jfe T n mates. When tho Estimates Ware placed before the Houso yesterday Mr Massey said that no advantage would bo taken of the fact that the House generally went into Committee of Supply without debate on Friday night. Members would have opportunity of discussing the Estimates. A MARKED CONTRAST. , The atmosphere of the House ot Representatives late last’ night was in marked contrast to that about the same hour the previous evening. The atmosphere was dull and somnolent. Members talked lengthily and heavily on. tho problem of settling returned soldiers on the land. Very few heads showed above the desks of members. Where members were not absent they were in many cases stretched at length behind their desks indulging in forty winks. From fhe Ministerial benches came the sound of snoring. The business of tbo House dragged on wearily. *