PARLIAMENT DAY BY DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 74, 6 July 1910, Page 4

PARLIAMENT DAY BY DAY.

T.HE FIGHT. (By Telegraph. Special Parliamentary Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Xight. To-dav the political toga gave way to the shod: <;f battle. Nobody in the lobhies tftlkc.l about anything but Johnson and Jeffries, and the same may be said for the streets, which in the neighborhood of the newspaper oliiees were quite lively for a time. LICENSING OF BOOKMAKERS. The Government Bill, I am informed,, which was foreshadowed in the Governor s Speech will provide for the licensing of bookmakers by the stipendiary magistrates. This seems to have its origin in a paragraph in the police report which runs thus: "The question of licensing bookmakers will have to be seriously considered, and some restrictions pttced on the many undesirable characters who under the present law follow the profession of bookmaking." The consequent Bill does not meet with general favor in the lobbies, where the feeling is very strong in favor of abolishing the bookmaker. Two Bills by private members are come for that purpose, and there will be a monster deputation on the 11th -July to see the Prime Minister about it. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

Mr. Russell's Bill for reform of the Council recalls Sir W. Steward's measure of 190", which the Council threw out on its introduction without a word. POLICE REPORT. The police report shows a total percentage for the year of offences to population of 2.33, against the previous year's 2.33. There is not much use, in going into details. ADDRESS-IX-RE PLY. The debate on the Address in Reply occupied both Houses to-day, and shows signs of ending during the week. SPEAKER OF THE COUXCIL. Sir Charles Bowen was presented today toy the Council to the Governor. The attendance was a record, nearly every member toeing present.