PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 253, 24 October 1919, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE _A__J_RY. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. THE SAMOA MANDATE. Mr. A. E. Glover asked the Prime Minister to-day when Civil administration could be established at Samoa, and what islands of the group were included in the mandate. Mr. Massey replied that the Government intended to establish Civil administration at the earliest possible date. As to the islands under the mandate, Western Samoa included two large islands of Savaii and Ovalau; totalling nearly a thousand square miles, and quite a number of smaller islands. HH-TJRANGT SWAMP. ' The Minister of Lands was questioned by.Mr. Mander regarding the drainage of the Hikurangi swamp, the questioner urging that this work should be taken up promptly owing to its great importance. The Hon. D. H. G-uthrie explained that the chief drainage engineer had told off ! a special engineer to do the surveying. He was now taking out quantities, in order to estimate the probable expenditure. No time would be lost in pushing forward this work, which he recognised as important. AUCKLAND P.O. SAVINGS BANK. In answer to a suggestion -by Mr. A. E. Glover the Postmaster-General stated that steps had been taken to carry out certain alterations at the Auckland Post Office Savings Bank counter to facilitate the dispatch of public business. MARRIAGE LAW AMENDMENT. The Marriage Law Amendment Bill, in charge of the Hon. J. B. Hine, facilitating preliminaries to marriage in the United Kingdom while one party is resident in New Zealand, was put through all stages. MEAT COMMANDEER. Attention of the Government was called by Mr. Pearce to an announcement in the Australian Press that the Australian Government had renewed the meat commandeer at a price of 8d a pound. Mr. Pearce wished to know what was the position in New Zealand. Mr. Massey replied that a month ago he cabled to the High Commissioner, asking him to inquire of the Imperial Government whether they would be prep_red to renew the contract. As he had received no information, he would again cable immediately. SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION. Tlie Premier was urged to-day by Mr. Vigor Brown to introduce al Shearers' Accommodation Amendment ' Bill this session. Mr. Hassey's reply was that he had a bill ready, and a few minutes later he gave notice of its introduction. THE AMEN CHORUS. When will the session end? was the query put to the Premier by the Leader of the Opposition to-day. The answer was "Saturday week," on which Sir Joseph Ward suggested, "End it this week." The Premier shook his head. He admitted that there had been no obstruction, but the session was more strenuous than usual, and it would be impossible to clear up in two days. Mr. Brown: AH we are doing on this side is to say "Amen." NO REDUCTION OT SENTEXCDS. 'Is it proposed to reduce sentences of long sentence prisoners who have been of good behaviour on final ratification of the peace treaty?" asked Mr. Peter Fraser. -, "It is not proposed," was the laconic reply of the Minister of Justice. INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVEXTION. The Premier, who was asked to-day if he would give Labour organisations the opportunity of electing dele-gates to the International Labour Convention in Washington, said he was doubtful if .the convention would be held on account of the illness of President Wilson, and complications in Europe. New Zealand had the right to four delegates, and two appointed by the Government, one by the employers and one by the labour bodies. It might be necessary to cable the Imperial authorities on the subject. NO PURE SEEDS BILL. The Hon. W. Nosworthy informed Mr. Jennings to-day that he "did not intend to bring down a Pure Seeds Bill this session. He preferred to leave the matter now until another session, and then deal with it .properly. RABBIT NUISANCE ACT. M"-. Young was informed to-day by the Minister of Agriculture that the Crown Land office had been inquiring into the Babbit Nuisance Act, as it stood at present. The Minister added that any amendment would open a very bio- and complicated question, and he could not promise any amending bill this session. WAR BRIDES ASD FLiNCEES. wVTTr \°~ a , afternoon *_m „ T _'._ t TOford the Prime Minister ■>aid he did not know that any preference was being given to civilians over waves and fiancees of soldiers in passages to New Zealand. He understood the portion was the reverse, but if any civil-____-i*+x received 'Preference, as sug-j gested there must be some special reason which he did not understand. PUBLIC HEALTH BILL. T>w- th Tr I fg' slativ c Council to-day the Public Health Amendment BUI mittod Clauses were added to enable a I?w.^° y + t0 Carr - V out structural alterations to private premises where the owner fails to do so, and to charge the owner for the work; also to transfer the power to give notice requiring! alterations to unhealthy buildings from I the health officer to the local authority. The bill was passed. I