PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 168, 18 July 1910, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(By; Telegraph.—ParUamesUry Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. Printed circulars addressed to members of Parliament, asking whether they are prepared to support a referendum on the question of Bible reading in State schools, after manner aaopted in Queensland, have been causing some interest among members of Parliament during the past lew days. As far as can be gathered, while a good portion oi the members have no decided objection to a Referendum Bill of a general character, they are not in favour of a special rerefendum on religious questions' affecting the schools of the State. Othera, again, consider that questions of the nature contained in the circular should only be put to representatives or candidates when they are before the electors. EXIT THE PHOSPHORUS MATCH. The Phosphorus .Matches Bill, which has passed its second reading, provides that matches made from white or yellow phosphorus shall not be manufactured in or imported into New Ztaland lor the reason that the people employed in the manufacture of such matches are liable to a dreadful disease known as "Phossy jaw." Two years ago the Imperial Parliament passed a law, after many years of agitation, prohibiting the manufacture of matches made from such a substance. Although the manufacture of phosphorus matches will, under the New Act, cease next year, the sale of them will not cease until 1913, which -will afford full opportunity for manufacturers to get rid of their stocks. CO-OPERATIVE WORKERS. The latest Departmental returns show that there are 4778 labourers and artisans -employed on co-operative works in New Zealand. Of this number 3487 are engaged on railways and 1291 on roads. The Stratford-Ongarue railway employs 482 men; Gisborne-Rotorua, 342; North Auckland, 412; Kawakawa-Grahamtown, 403; Grey—©uth - Point Elizabeth, 337; Catlins, 428; Blenheim-Waipara, 180; Oatlina (various sections), 468; Weatport-Inangahua, 67; Ngahere-Black-ball, 67. The men employed on the roads are distributed in the folio-wing districts: Auckland North and South, 338; Stratford, 440; Greymouth, 108; Tauranga, 57; Gisborne, 25; Wellington, 102; Marlborough, 21; Nelson, 34; Westport, 52; Canterbury, 71; Otago, 43. THE FUN-MAKER. The "Wellington Post" has recently been attempting something in the nature of pen pictures of Auckland representatives. Dealing with the member for City Certral, the evening journal says: "i"o*r sorre reason which may puzzle Mr. A- E. Glover, the -representatives have chosen to regard him as an incorrigible jester, an irrepressible humorist. When Mi Glover gets up, the House sits back and sees a wealth of droliery in his utterance, whatever it may be about. On Wednesday afternoon he had a perfectly jus; grievance to expound, the placing of Auckland as least, last, unioveliest, apart, in a published report containing figures about deposits in the savings banks. But the legislators, even including Mr. Massey and other Northern members, declined to lend a serious ear. Mr. Glover seems to have acquiesced in his reputation for mirthful comicality. He sat down with a smile, which -was not bitter. Perhaps his reputation dates back to his genial advocacy of shifting -the -sea,t of Government back to Auckland... Whatever the cause, the effect is that he is deemed to be a hearty habitual fun-maker, "within the meaning of the Act." ADVANCES TO'WORKERS. Several members have latterly been urging that State advances should not only be given to enable the 'building of a house, but also to purchase a house already built. The Prime .Minister has informed Mr A. W. Hogg, in reply to a question of his, that the matter is now being considered in view of necessary amendments to the Act, but, as the intention is to help workers to build houses for themselves, as in the case of a building society, an extension of the authority to lend money to purchase of homes already built must be conceded with' caution, and advances for this purpose can be obtained from the Advances to Settlers branch of the office. As the loans under the'workers' branch are granted up to three-fourths of the value of the security, and in most cases the huildr ing is the principal part of the security, it is necessary in all cases to have it new and well built.

What will Parliament do? The Prime Minister's action in sub raitting three definite questions to. the House on the proposed amendment to the Gaming Act prior .to bringing • down a bill is. not without precedent. The same course was followed by the late Hon. B. J. submitting his land legislation proposals to the House. The Prime Minister's resolutions on this occasion will enable members to dcelare themselves separately on three issues: (1) The abolition of the bookmaker, (2) the abolition of the "tote", and (3) the reduction of the number of days' racing per year. A member of the Opposition who takes a very keen interest in the question gave his opinion of what the House will do as follows:—"It is practically certain that 1 and 3 will be earned, and that the totalisator will survive by a small margin. Presumably the Government will then embody the indications of the House in a bill. When the bill comes down an attempt will be made to insert a bookmaker clause, enabling a license to be granted to a bookmaker by a magistrate. If this proposed clause is defeated, which is doubtful, another determined attack will be made on the 'tote,' and, if that fails, a further vigorous assault wfll probably .be made on°the question of the number of days' racin°The Gambling Bill promises some heated and protracted debate."