PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 168, 29 July 1901, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day

The Committee on the Local Government Bill summoned a meeting- at 10 o'clock on Tuesday for the purpose of technically setting up the Committee and appointing a chairman. This is regarded as an indication of the sincerity of the Government in proceeding with the Bill. A COMMITTEE GRIEVANCE. Owing1 to erratic changes in the hours of sitting some Committees, such as the Statutes Revision Committee are placed in a difficulty, as mem--1 ber's refuse to sit on Monday. It Is feared that young members may become demoralised by sittings in the day time and until the small hours of the morning. FARMERS AND POLITICS. At a public meeting of delegates ot the New Zealand Farmers' Union at Palmerston North, Mr Massey, M.H.R., said he had felt for a long time that if the farmers were to hold their own they would have to unite. He would like to see a branch Union in every district in the colony. He believed they should eschew party politics, and should refuse to join with the Opposition against the Government, and with the Government against the Opposition. He would like to give' a word of caution. It had become a habit with some people to (rush to the Government on every possible ocsasion, but he would like to see settlers retain their independence and rely on their own exertion rather than on help extended by any Government.