PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 209, 3 September 1900, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Saturday.

THE RABBIT INDUSTRY,

A return has been presented to the House showing- that the gross amount of revenue received by the Railway* Department for the year ending March 31, 1900, for the carriage of rabbits was £6454 7/7, and for the carriage of timber for making packing cases for rabbits £ 886 1/10. No information is available as to the number of men directly employed in the industry. THE GOTHENBURG SYSTEM. In the House yesterday, Mr Lang presnted a petition from G. Bond and others praying that the Gothenburg system of licenses may be introduced in the Waikato. THE PATRIOTIC FUND. In acknowledging the receipt of £48 1/6 from Mr Houston, chairman of the Bay of Islands Patriotic Committee, in aid of British soldiers in South Africa, the Premier says: "I beg to offer my warmest thanks to the committee, who initiated the movement, and to the County Council for heading the subscription list in aid of those of our fellow countrymen who are in need, and to inform you that thet money is being sent to Mr Pilcher with directions to, use his discretion in giving a little aid to any of our fellow colonists who are B'ritoish soldier., in ho_p_t_J, of who, if not in hospital, he considers deserving of assistance. Mr Pilcher is being informed that the amount sent is from a private subscription, and not from colonial." JOTTINGS.' Mr Houston intends to ask the Government whether they will give effect to the recommendation of tlie Public Petitions Committee of last year on the petition of 1). Leslie, of Whangaroa, and place the sum of £20 on the Supplementary Estimates to settle the claim.

Mr Napier will ask the Minister of Mines whether lie will, in order to (.ncourage original research (among New Zealand scientists, either in lieu of or in addition toa sum of £600 already placed upon tihe Estimates for 'the purpose of petrological examination in London, propose to the House to vote a sum of £600 for petrological examinations in New Zealand. The bombardment of petitions in favour of the speedy completion of the North Island Main Trunk Railway, skillfully directed by General Witfheford, has been named by one of "the wags of the House "the pom-poms," Mr Bollard, speaking on the tariff changes, declared that a majority of the House were in favour of the operation, of the new duties being post poned .until next year, but they were afraid to vote according to their conscience. (Laughter.) No doubt it seemed st/rnnge in that House to speak of conscience scruples. (Renewed laughter.) The Premier said the majority of the members who showed the least regard for conscience came from the North Island. (Cries of "Oh!") Where was their conscience in regard to the North Island Main Trunk Railway, or when any public money was being allotted? At a later stage Mr Napier protested against the charge against the Aucklanci members, contending that they were acting conscientiously in asking for their fair share of expenditure on railway construction, and that if there was any lack of conscientiousness it was on the side of the Government, who were endeavouring to deny mere justice to Auckland.