PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 253, 23 October 1907, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

ttj. TelesMpli— Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON. Tuesday.

IHE MEIKLE CASE.

•He Premier in the House of Representatives, this afternoon, moved the s__ reading of the 3ieigle Acquittal Wll which proposes to reverse the contfction of John James Meikle, by which ha served a seven years' sentence on a __jge of S h«p stealing. The question X compensating the wrongfully imprisoned man for hardships undeservedly Offered, U to be left to a select comittee of the House. In moving the £___ reading of the bill, the Premier plained that it was to give effect to tte recommendation of a Royal Coinmia- «*_ which came to the conclusion that ie evidence produced to them of the -nit of John James jUeikle was so far from conclusive that if the inquiry had teen a re-trial, it would have been properto him of the offence with £lv'_, he was charged. Mr Fisher questioned the advisability of settra" up a committee of the House to decide the matter of compensation, for it was well known that some of Heude's most inveterate enemies were members of the House. They could only get impartiality from an impartial tnlun 2 - . ~ Mr. Dillon: '-'That's an insult to the members of this House. Jlr. Fister: "The hon. member may ihink so if he pleases. It is absolutely correct. (Pissenti?nt voices.) Mr. Hornrty *d%ed tha * ilelklc > dur " in<r his peregrinations throughout the colony, was supported largely for political purposes. This remark was resented by the Leader of the Opposition, tfho, taking the reference as applying to lie Opposition, said: "If the member for Wairarapa. is a gentleman he will withdraw it." Oα the Premier appealing against tne tspression, Mr. Massey unreservedly yitßdrew it. The second reading of the bill was earijed by 42 votes to 12. v ANIMALS' PROTECTION BILL. The Legislative Council further considered the Protection Bill .{Hon. ~Dr Findlay). in committee this afternoon.* "When the measure was previously before the committee a lengthy discussion took place upon clause 3, which regulates the time for killing and taking imported and native game. This tvas continued by the Hon. J. Kigg, who moved to prohibit the shooting of game „ night, ;but was unsuccessful. A tendency to "stonewall" the bill was evident and one of the reasons for the attitade oi a portion of the Council was expressed by the Hon. Anstey, who said it -was doubtful whether the Acclimatisation Societies had not done more harm than good, for they had introduced the rabbit and sparrow into New Zealand. It T133 for the Council to distinguish whether the proposals in the bill were for good or eviL They seemed so unworkable that it would be far better for the Council to consider them before accepting the dictum of the Acclimatisation Societies. Clause 3 had not been adopted when the Hon. S. T. George, with the Minister's concurrence, moved to report progress. This was carried^ LAND LAWS AMENDMENT. The Land Laws Amendment Bill, received from the House of Representatives, Tras read a first time in the Legislative ComaL In reply to the Hon. J. T. Paul, ihe Hon. Dr. Findlay stated that, -considering tlie time of the session and the TOfc yet to be done, he was personally ia favour of not referring the bill to the Lands Committee, but retaining it in the Council. The Hon. J- Eigg remarked that the .Standing Orders required the measure to be sent to the committee. The lon. Dr Pindlay said he was considering that"point, but meanwhile he would _k to Save the bill set down for its second-reading nest Tuesday.