PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 238, 5 October 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

<By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. PJ3TIRING MEMBERS;,, There are nine members- of the presentParliament who do not" intend seeking reelection, including four Government members and fire Oppositionist. Those retiring from the Government benches are. Messrs. R. M. Houston, the Hon. C. H. Mills. J. McLachlan and A. W. Rutherford, while the Opposition loses Messrs. C. Lewis. F. Y. Lethbridge, J. G. W. Aitken. E. W. Alison, and D. Reid, "Jen. It is interesting to note the length of service of the retiring menvb"eTs. Mr. Houston has represented Bay of 'Islands for 21 years: the Hon. G. Mills, Wairau, 21 years; Mr. Lewis.i Courtenay; 13 rears; Mr. Lethbridge, Oroua, 14 years ; and Mr. McLachlan, Ashb'nrtoii, 13 , years; while Messrs. Aitken, ('Wellington East). Alison (Waitemaia-], Reid (Taieri) and Rutherford;" (-HuTuimi) 4iiave each had seven years of Parliamtentary life. Last evening the Oppositionists -who are not seeking re-election were entertained by members of their party at a farewell banquet at the Grand Hotel. MR. KAIHAU APPEARS. Mr. Henare Kaihau, M.P., for the Western" Maori District, has decided to put 3D an appearance this session after all, and made his first appearance in the Parliamentary buildings yesterday. His absence has been commented upon more than orce ouring'the session,' but the . Prime Minister gave the House the as- • Eurance that the Speaker beid a medical lerfcificate exempting Mr. Kaihau on tbe grounds of ill-healtE. _