POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 34, 30 June 1914, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE GAMING BILL. In re-introducing liis Claming Act Amendment Bill, Mr George Hunter got in so early that his chance of putting; the measure through is better than on any previous occasion. It provides for increasing by thirty days the number ®f days of racing the dominion, seventeen days fo Be allotted to race clubs, ten to'hunt clubs ,and three to trotting clubs. 'Last session, the Bill was read a second time liy a majority of twentysix, and Mr Hunter informs a repwsentative of the Lyttelton Times that he hopes that by making a prompt start to get the measure passed.

| MEMBERS' RAILWAY PRIVILEGES. Members of Parliament have been [ granted an extension of travelling privileges on the railways, which doubtless will be especially appreciated by the better halves of honourable members. The Ooveimm'iit 'has decided to issue free passes over the State railways to the wives of members of the Legislature, to be available for one month after the close of the session. Arrangements have also been made for the issue of return tickets at single rates or of single tickets at half single rates to the unmarried sons and daughters of members, for the purpose of enabling them to visit Wellington during the time Parliament is in session. The return' tickets so. issued will be available for return on any slate up to a month after the session.

SHUNTING ACCIDENTS. Sir Joseph Ward gave notice in the House of Representatives on Thursday to ask the Minister for Railways if,the report upon the bust means of preventing shunting accidents, promised to bo furnished to the House some months age, has been received, and if in the interests of the railway servants and the safety of the general public he will inform the House of the nature of the report.

"IN A STATE OF BLUB FUNK." I "The Ministry is in a state of blue funk.," said Mr <r. W. Russell the other evening in the House. Last Thursday week, within seven days of the session, j he said, the Prime Minister was at Tc Kuiti, the Minister for Finance at Blenheim, the Minister for Customs at Waihi, tlifc Minister for Public Works at Kaikoura, and the Minister for Internal Affairs at Christchnrch addressing the College students. And why was this? Mr Russell asked. It was because the. "Flying Squadron" had put terror into their hearts, and they realised that they Were fighting for political life. "If the electors turn them down, it will absolutely prove that they got into office by the back stairs and by men who deserted tIK-ir party," said the member for Avon. The Prime Minister: "You won't be here."

Mr Russell patighingly): "Will you bet on it?"

There was no acceptance ef any odds by Mr Masaey or his Ministers.

"POSERM" IN FIMAXCE. Although tt'c has sat for real .business'for only one (lay, Sir Joseph Ward has levelled a. fire of financial criticism at the Oovornmeiit which left Mr M\is>sey anil 1 'Mr Allen very tired on Friday night. During the passage of the Imprest. Supply Bill, Sir Joseph had Mr Alfcn on. his feet many times, and the Opposition thoroughly cnjoycl t'lifl spectacle 01 the Finance Minister wriggling out of the knots tied for him by the Liberal Seailcr. One of the most interesting pieces of wriggling, however, is yet left for Mr Allen to d'-\. for Sir Joseph has given notice of a "poser." 'lt .runs:—"Wlicther the statement contained on page 3 of his (Mr Allen's) Budget ®f l!>l;i, under llic heading 'Results of the Year's Operations,' showing a credit 'balance of £M.->0,50S before transfer of £7i>o,ooo out ■of the year's revenue to the Public Works Fund is correct, and if it is not a fact that the 'balance of £1,450,508. remained after paying all interest charges and a2l other aainual appropriations for Mint year, as shown oh page 2 of the same Budget."—N.Js. Times,

THE REFERENDUM ISIIX. QUESTION'S TOR THE ELECTORS,

The IV'igioiis Inl-truction in School; Referendum Bill, which the Government is introducing, is a short measure, and its most imiioi'tant part is the form of the issue which is to be submitted to the electors of (lie Dominion.

Tlic Bill |Tyloses Unit at the next elections a referendum of tl. ;;'ople will lie taken, in the case of :t district ("here a candidate is returned unopposed, a poll must still be taken. Every person with 'the Parliamentary franchise will .be entil'lwl to vote.

Tlie s-Miediili- of the Hill sets out ifie issue as follows: Provision to lie mucin for the rending in public schools, within school hours, cf selected Bible lessons from a. readiiifrbook to be provided by the Education Department. Si:ch reading to be conducted under the supervision of the publi'c-clioo! tiacher, but- no sectari.ui tcachiriffi lo be allowed. I'pf-vision f .o be made for religious in struction to be given within. stlliool hours to children b\ a minister of their ow.m denomination, or by an accredited substitute.

lAny parent to have the right, if lie chooses so !■i do, to withdraw -his thilJ from tin' Bii>le-readin[f, or from the religious instruction, or from botfe The form of the voting' is:— l "F vote in M or of the above scheme."

"T vote the above system." T.he voter will stride out the proposal for which he does not wish to vote.