A Parliamentary Note-Book

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 196, 8 November 1927, Page 8

A Parliamentary Note-Book

A Night on Gamin'

i ITHE SI N S Parliamentary B E WELLINGTON. Tw' I Once settled to discussion ! • Gaming Bill, members of the ; of Representatives appeared A” j go for days if necessary to *77*l 1 Bill from the statute book. j possible that something ot thjj * I would have happened but tor I lisation at three o’clock in yj, J** ing that there was no hope j tins the measure disposed of ** 1 ' pletely at this sitting. -jq,. j reading stage was taken aad rTu 1 I by 20 votes to 14. Earlier «Z? ! ment to postpone the Bill 1 months was defeated by ;s 21. The House adjourned at jjj Live Shell on Beach The Minister of Defence, the n F. J. Rolleston, has promised to fc,* inquiries made into the happejA 1 Foxton Beach where a bov ' severely injured by the explosio,* 1 a live shell which he found ob'-.' ! foreshore. The Minister says tw' 4 has not yet received full partA* of the accident. Opticians Bill The Prime Minister says thir . j the Opticians’ Bill does not this session it will be gone onV* ; early in next year’s session c~ would not intimate to Mr. H T A | strong. Christchurch South! in House to-niglit whether it A" to be taken this session. J[ r ... strong remarked that the Bill -~ been hung up for two years. ** Let the People Decide “Would you legalise the w maker” was asked of Mr. M. J Sarsby an interjector in the House S ''’ Representatives this evening K Mr. Savage: I would refer the m*. tion to the people at the next jtensi election, and let them decide wheti. they would have the totalisator, bo ; maker, or both. My opinion is the the peole should decide, and not iRacing Conference. “Some racing clubs are plough,, up their racecourses every year," A Mr. Savage, in the House. “If I a racecourse, I would have it plortlw up all the time. Mr. J. A. Lee chipped in softlySowing your wild oats? rft ;r More “Exes” But Same Pay • Although it is recognised that members of Parliament have ma-y calls upon their time, and a great to. upon their financial resources t!» Government will not consider the question of raising salaries this sension. Mr. Coates, in making this announcement in the House of Repr?sentatives this evening, said that tit Government had decided to increase members’ facilities for travelling ci the inter-island ferry, and gteaner privilege tickets were to be increase Details are to be supplied to asp*, bers later. This will leave many disappointed members of Parliament > turning to their homes in a week or two.

tJ? Standing Orders The question of the revision standing orders, which involves tie subject of the closure on Parliamer; tary debates, is receiving the consideration of the Government at the present time, and the Right Hon. J. G. Coates has promised to make a satement later as to the intention of the authorities. Mr. T. W. Rhodes, Thames, asM for a special committee to be established for the consideration of standing orders during the recess. Farm Tractors Exempt It is intended that motor tractor! used solely for agricultural purpose? shall be exempt from the recently imposed petrol tax, and the Bill, which is to embody the Government’s proposals, will contain provision for this. Not Illuminating If ever Parliamentary proceauro appeared to approach the grotesque it was at 2.15 this morning, when, after five months in session, member? were observed endeavouring to carry on in the light of three candles, one for Mr. Speaker, one for the member who was on his fet, and the third for the Hansard reporter—for speeches must be reported in Hansard whatever happens. The lights failed just as members were settling to a very effective stonewall debate on the second reading of the Gaming Bill, and conditions were so obviously hopeless that the Speaker adjourned the House till the lights came on again. Great advantage had been taken by stonewallers to call for a quoruffi whenever the House got below a certain stage. As soon as the lights w* D j out, Mr. J. A. Lee raised a point o order, and drew the Speaker’s attention to the state of the House. ™ Speaker was compelled to ackno • ledge that in the halflight of a i* candles. and a strong match, ment of members was difficult- ** bers sat about in bemused silence - the lights came on 12 minutes -