PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 231, 29 September 1910, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

■ ■ NOTES FROM THE GALLBEY. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. THE LIBEL ACT. Mr. Arnold has asked the Government when it is intended to bring down the Libel Act Amendment' Bill, providing that the Press of this Dominion shall have the same immunity from prosecution as is enjoyed by tlie Press of Epgi land. AEEA OFFICEBS. The member for Manukau (Mr. Lang) j this afternoon asked the Minister of Defence when he proposes to make the appointments of the area officers. ; Sir Joseph Ward replied: The appointments of officers and non-commisioned officers as adjutants and instrutors will jbe made immediately on returns of all local examinations being received at headquarters. These are expected to arrive this week, when a final selection will be made. WORKMEN'S HOMES. "Is it a fact that the Government, in regard to applications for advances to settlers, are issuing, plans for workmen's homes, and that if. an applicant builds according to those plans the Government will advance money?" asked Mr. Jennings. "Yes, that is so. Plans and specifications for buildings costing from £150 upwards will be supplied free of charge, and are now being prepared," was Sir Joseph Ward's reply. SHIPPING AND SEAMEN'S ACT.' Replying to a question, the Hon. J. A. Millar stated that a communication was received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies asking for information with regard to certain of the provisions, of the Shipping and Seamen's Act, to which reply has been sent. It was anticipated that there would now be no difficulty in connection with obtaining His Majesty's assent, and that advice of it would be received shortly. As soon as it was received the necessary proclamation to bring the Act into force would be issued. A POISONOUS ATMOSPHERE. "The atmosphere we work in is simply poisonous," declared Mr. W. F. Massey, when speaking thjs afternoon on the hygienic conditions prevailing in the legislative chamber. The Leader of the Opposition went on to urge that something should be done to improve the lighting and ventilation. Members, he de clared, sat under the electric light from 2.30 in the afternoon till 2.30 in the morning, and when upwarda of 200 people were crowded into the chamber the working conditions were "-intolerable. There was not a member in the House, so far as he knew, who had not had a serious cold at some time or other during the session as the result of passing in and out of the heated and unhealthy legislative halls. Sir Joseph Ward replied that he hoped to submit to Parliament this session the proposals of the Government on the whole question of Parliamentary Buildings. In the existing building the best, as well as the most economical, arrangements had been made. When the new Parliament House was built it would be found that every essential had been considered.