PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3943, 18 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegraph.]

(FKOM OXTE SPECIAL COBEESPONDENT.)

Wellington, This day.

Tb» Colonial Industries Committee, in their interim report, state that in the opinion of the Committee " the duty on imported jams, jellies, and preserves, should be increased by one halfpenny per lb;" "that the Government should, as soon as possible, import sorghum seed for distribution, and should also import the machinery required for the manufacture of sugar from sorghum, the cost of which your committee have in evidence will not exceed £7000.

In the Council yesterday, the Attorney General replied to the Hon P. Buckley re Messrs Seed and Batkin'B report, that it had not been received, but when it was the Government would consider whether it was advisable to lay the confidential report before Parliament. Mr Hutchinson intimated his intention on going into committee on the Prisons Act, 1873, Amendments Bill, that he would move amendments in clause 15, provided always that all prison labour shall be restricted to out-door and menial labour, whereof the requirement does not involre training or skill. Dv Meu^ies bill tur Bible reading in

schools passed in committee in the Council yesterday, and several amendments moved by the Hon Mr Whitaker, with a view to lessen the stringency of the new enactment, were rejected, but an amendment by the Hon Mr Buckley, that no teacher should be compelled to be present while the Bible was being read, was carried by 11 votes to 9.

Mr Moorhouse, M.H.R., is in a very precarious condition, his medical advisers being now y in constant attendance upon him.

Mrs Hall, the Premier's wife, is still prostrate with severe indisposition. It is feared she will be unable to appear amongst her numerous friends during the remainder of the session.