PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5126, 22 June 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegraph.]

(fbom oue own correspondent.)

Welhn&ton. This day. A meeting of the Free Trade members of the House, which I told you on Satur* day was likely to be held, has been fixed for noon to-day. I understood it is probable that the meeting will be largely attended.

Two bills amending the often ridiculed Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1881, are to be introduced to the House to«morrow. Mr Fitzherbert is the author of one, which legalises small sweeps, and Mr Hobbs is the proprietor of the other, which does away with sweeps, little and big, altogether. Mr Beetham is to ask the Minister of Justice on Wednesday, if the Government hare taken any steps during the recess to make it known that no provision is made under the Supreme Court Act to pay the expenses of witnesses for the accused in criminal cases; also whether Government will make provision for the payment of witnesses is such cases by an amendment of the Supreme Court Act.

Lateb. The free trade meeting is jus* over; it was pretty well attended. It was decided to form.no party inimical to the Government, but considered it desirable to take steps for the formation of a Com" mittee to_' take such further action as. may be deemed to be necessary. The card was pricked, and it was estimated that oat of a house of ninety, forty-five were freetraders, twenty-fire protectionists ; and the balance doubtful.

A meeting of members representing municipalities was to have been held today for the purpose of considering the Municipal Corporations Act, and a caucus of Nelson and Wettland members to discuss matters affecting those localities, but the municipal representatives at the last moment postponed their meeting, thinking it advisable to defer it for (he present.

Canterbury members propose holding a meeting, to consider Sir Julius Yogel's statement to the effect that if the East and West Coast Railway could not be constructed out of borrowed money, the Government could hardly undertake its construction of the line, although recognising that the line should be constructed. Canterbury, members are rather " huffed" at this statement, and hence the proposed meeting.