Political Notes.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7863, 4 July 1905, Page 4

Political Notes.

Tbe Gaming awl Lotteries Ait Amendment Bill has again made its appearance. Its principal object is to make it a punishable offence to establish or cany on agencies in the colony ior the sale of the tickets in sweeps in Australia. The "Heathen Chinee" is not forgotten, it nti..„ provided that the games ot pakapoo land fan-tan shall be regarded as unlawful games.

Mr Fisher wishes io secure an increase in the penalties provided for sly grog-selling.

Mr Bedford asks lliat Government employees be brought under the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court.

The Old Age Pensions Bill, introduced by the Premier, provides that the amount of the pension shall be increased to IDs a week, and that it shall be diminished £1 for everj ; complete pound of income above £2l. and also by £1 tor every complete £lO ot llioliol capital value ol all value of all accumulated property.

The Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill, which has been introduced by the Minister for Justice, is a short measure, having as its object the extension ol the time during which information may he laid for offences agaiust young girls from one to six months, and power is given to the Court to order the exclusion from the Court of persons under 21 yean of age, when such a course fs considered desirable in the interests ol poblic morality. It is provided also, that in any such case tlie (.jyjrt ma, forbid the publication of the whole ' or any portion of the evidence given therein, and the breach of any such I order may be dealt with as contempt of Court.

The closing of Bellamys at ten p.m. is leading to some complaint from members of both Houses, who hope that if their privileges are cut off tin blue ribbon brigade will not be able to get tea or coffee after ten p.m. A trial of strength on the question may be expected when the House Committee is being set up.

Mr Flatman is asking the Minister of Railways if he can sec his way to recommend that agricultural salt used for the destruction of noxious weeds be carried on the railways of New Zealand on the same terms as lime used for agricultural purposes.

One of the warmest bits I have seen for years, says the Chronicle's special reporter, was the sympathy of the House as it cheered the readby the Premier of the doctor's hopeful telegram from the bedside of K. M. Smith. Thg little man is largely popular in his honesty and singleness of purpose. » » • *

Mr T. K. Taylor, member for Cluistchurch, suggested another improvement to the Old Age PensioHS jAct when he gave notice of the introduction of a Bill removing the disability under which the possessors of a home of the value of A2SG suffer, so that these might share in Uie benefits of the Act. "You can't move that ; it's a money Bill," interjected several members. "No, it's not," replied Mr Taylor, " it's a jusJtice Bill,"

"A Rip Van Winkle who has at last awakened."—The Minister for Public Works on the Leader of the Opposition.

, " More like a bear garden than .anything else."—Mr Jiang's description of the Lands Committee last i session.

I "The most expensive farce the colony has ever witnessed."—The Leader of the Opposition on the Land Commission.

Mr Taylor is bringing in a Bill providing for the election of Education Boards on a wider franchise than at present.