POLITICAL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9794, 18 October 1917, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES

, THE LIQUOR BILL SIX O’CLOCK CLOSING ONCE MORE BEFORE THE HOUSE. Tho Sale trf Liquor Restriction Bill appeared again in the House of Representatives last night and brought with it tho lively atmosphere it has been associated with so far in both Chambers. Tho comprehensive and drastic amendments put in the bill as trimmings by the Legislative Council did not moot with tho approval ot the elec-tiro Chamber, so that managers had to bo appointed to confer in regard to tho disagreement, with managers from tho Council. Tho decision of tho conference of those managers will come before both Houses in duo course. An interesting turn was given to the discission last night by Mr T. M. Wd’ord, who moved in tho direction or postponing the date upon which tho bill is to como into force till Juno next. This, said Mr Wilford, was merely keeping faith with tho hotelkeepers in tho election guarantee given to them. -Mr L. M. Isitt was up in a trice to vehemently oppose any such amendment. Tho discussion c ° ntll ’“- or! in an .animated strain until ►Ur Wilford’s amendment was put and rejected by 50 votes to 24. A MUSICAL ITEM. “If you have a horn to blow, t-ff6n blow it,” was tho candid declaration ot a member in the House yesterday. The member in question proceeded forthwith to vigorously sound tho horn. For the first few blasts the pertormanco was a solo item, but it was then taken up by tba soft accompaniment of derisive lamsim from members. The performer in ciiicf, a member witn i) r before his name, was not a whit disturbed, and continued to have recorded in “Hansard” his medical qualifications, the examinations bo bad passed, And other personal details. LOCAL BILLS. A number of local bills were reported upon bv tho Lands Committee to tho House “yesterday. Tbo following measures were recommended to allowed to proceed:— The Whakatane Harbour Amendment Bill, the Wanganui Harbour Board Vesting Bi , and tho Land Laws Amendment Bill, h Wanganui Harbour Board Vesting Bin was recommended to be referred to the Native ’Affairs Committee. A WICKED PROPOSAL. “It would be a gamble!” was the shocked ejaculation of members m the House of last night when tbo member for Waiteijiata premium bonds principle. “Why it’s. worse than six o’clock,” said another member. “Two-Up,” remarked another, “Tatts,” cried another. “What an elastic conscience von have,” admonished another. Mr Harris smilingly advanoed the argument t licit as tbo small investor could not loan his money in such an investment it would not bo a gamble. He thought that it would ho the best incentive in tbo world for encouraging contributions to a loan. A NEW BILL. Notice to introduce tho Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill was given in the House yesterday by the iHop. W. H. Hemes. UNPARLIAMENTARY I “Why, the Minister should ho ashamed of his proposed allowances,” said Dr. Thacker in the House on Tuesday night. “Tho hon. member muvfc withdraw that expression,” said tho Chairman of Committees severely. Dr Thacker was surprised. “I must withdraw that?” ho asked. “Well, I must think of another word to roplaco it. 1 did not know you could nob use tho word ashamed.” Another member volunteered the information that another Parliamentarian had had to leave Parliament because ho used a similar expression. Dr Thacker: “Well, I withdraw it. I’m sure I don’t want to leave Parliament. I have too much work to do here for the soldiers.” Shortly afterwards Dr Thacker asked if ho could say that “he would ho ashamed of Mmsolf” if tho proposed Second Division allowances were carried. The Chairman of Committees said nothing, go Dr Thacker appeared quite content that Ko had got in tho word tabooed somehow. LEFT THINKING. “I don’t know what the Government is thinking of,” said the member for Napier in tho House in speaking on the allowances for the Second Division. Mr Parr: “They don’t think at all.” Mr Brown; “They think as they think, but that is no thinking at all. Wo want them to think as the. country thinks and if they don’t think as they think well we will make them think.” (Hear, hoar and laughter.)