PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 231, 28 September 1903, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Saturday

SLOIV RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

Speaking of the North Trunk railway on Friday night, Mr Kirkbride said it was not finished yet. There wa;. still a gap. of seventy miles. He wondered' what condition tiie sleepers and culverts were in that had already been laid down for the past sixteen years. To borrow money and expend in that way was .unbusinesslike in the last degree. No private company would carry on business in such a way, and he was mot at all surprised at the reluctance of capitalists in London in lending us money. MILLERS' INDICTMENT. Mr T. Taylor has formulated his charges against the millers' trust, and j they will be investigated by the Industries Committee. That committee, having sufficient work to keep it employed for the next week, the matter will "not be reached until,the fallowing week. - WELLINGTON, this day. FARMERS' FIRE INSURANCE.' A deputation consisting of 2S members waited on the Premier tills morning requesting him to take over Mr Kirkbride's Mutual Fire Insurance Bill. Mr Kirkbride pointed out that the country was practically unanimous in approval of this bill, which had been received with such unanimity in the House that it was evident it would pass' without trouble. I The Premier said that if Government business progressed satisfactorily it would give time for one or two bills in the hands of private members. The Mutual Fire Bill had the full concurrence of the Government, and there being sueli unanimity of feeling among members it was his duty to give effect to their desire if he could first get some Government business done. Eighty mm would liave been there for four months, and he hoped they would do something to remove ihc existing reproach, and prove their worth to the country. He would like members to realise that there was a responsibility upon them ■to get such bills on the Statute Book _„ were in the best interestsof the country. Whether the bill in question were taken up rested entirely with members and the progress m?de.

The report of the Petition Committee on the Newtown licenses will be brought up to-night, when the whole licensing question probably will come under review. A Licensing Bill will positively be introduced this session, li will .probably be a short measure of half a dozen clauses removing existing defects in the law.