PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 288, 5 December 1910, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY. (By Telegraph-—Parliamentary Benorter.l WELLINGTON, this day. THE WALROA FALLS. In the House of Representatives on Saturday, Air. Mander complained that the Estimates made no provision for putting into effect the Government's proposal to develop the Wairoa Falls water power scheme in four years at a cost of £100,000. The Hon. R. McKenzie replied that the Wairoa scheme would 'be proceeded with in due course, 'but in the meantime it was intended to deal with the more important undertakings. The Government would in all probability devote its attention to developing Lake Coleridge before all others. BOUND FOR THE NORTH. Districts north of Auckland are to see a good deal of Parliamentarians early in tho new year. In January a party of Opposition members, including Mr. Massey and several South Island representatives, will, under the guidance of Mr. Mander, journey via Wbangarei to the Far North, and return by way of Hokianga and Dargaville. The Hon. R -McKenzie, Minister for Public Works, also intends, about the beginning of January, to do an extensive northern tour, during which he will visit the North Auckland and Kawakawa-Kaikohe railway works. MEMBERS' MOVEMENTS. , Messrs. W. F. Massey, E H. Taylor, IF. W. Lang, J. Stallworthy, F. Mander, ■and J. Craigie, M.P.'s, reached Auckland yesterday afternoon by special train. A number of other North Island members also returned to their homes by the same train. Messrs. Glover, Phillipps, Herries, Lawry, and Greenslade are returning early this week. Mr. Poland is making the journey overland by motor car; Mr. C. H. Poole is spending a day or two in Taranaki, and Mr. Vernon Reed will remain at Hawke's Bay till after the | holidays. ' LIGHTING THE COAST. While the Estimates were under conI sideration on Saturday, Messrs. Vernon I Reed and F. Mander both urged the Minister to proceed with the erection of a [ small light at Busby Head, to light the entrance to Whangarei hari&our. It was urged that a light similar to Rangi■toto beacon would serve the purpose. The Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Marine, said he could not promise to take any immediate action, pending the ultimate decision regarding Mokohinau light. If this light was removed to the 'Hen or one of the Chickens Islands, it would possibly suffice to do the work now spoken of as necessitating a light at BuSby Head. He had promised to take no action in regard to Mokohinau ■for 12 months. Possibly if the Harbour Board at Whangarei would undertake to maintain the light at the entrance to the harbour, the Department would be able to do what was required. More to come. MR. GLOVER AND THE TRAMWAYS ACT. The member for Auckland Central, Mr. A. E. Glover, resents the trend of the discussion at the last City Council meeting, when he was accused of neglecting the interests of the city regarding the Tramways Act " Evidently, because I did not speak on the second reading debate, it was assumed that I was not in my place in the House," said Mr. Glover. " Outsiders do not realise that the second reading Is only the occasion for fireworks and is more often than not only used by members for talking to their constituent through' Hansard.' It is in committee that the real work is done, when ' Hansard' takes no notice of the discussion. All night long I was in my seat while the Tramways Bill was being considered in committee, and the records will show that I voted on every division, and that my attitude was in defence of the rights and privileges of the local bodies concerned."