PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 279, 23 November 1921, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY. (By Telesraph.—Pariiameaiarv ißeporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. TOBACCO PRICES UP. The suggestion was niade to the Ministor in charge of the Board of Trade by Mr. McCombs to-day that he should have an investigation made into the way in which tobacconists and wholesalers had put up the prices of tobacco though they had not paid the extra duty. Mr. Lee promised to have the matter looked into by the Board of Trade. INCREASING FACE. "'ls the end of the session coming?'" inquired a member when the Premier, without opposition, carried a motion today to sit on Monday evenings for Government business. Mr. Massey vigorously shook his head a3 an indication that the end is some distance away. The House also decided to take Wednesdays for Government business, instead of giving private members a change to discuss their legislative efforts. WOOL DIFFICULTY UNSOLVED. In asking the Premier to-day if the wool salos difficulty had been overcome, Mr. Witty mentioned that a number of wool buyers who arrived by the 'Frisco mail steamer were disappointed that the sales were not going on. Mr. Massey Teplied that he was also sorry the difficulty had not been overcome, but negotiations were going on, and he had sent another cable to the Tieas of the wool buyers' organisation in England. He could not help thinking that if the matter had been settled in Australia it could be settled here. The difficulty was not so much in New Zealand as In England, and he had reason to believe that those interested in the trade were anxious t<? see the matter settled. TOURIST CHARGES. The Minister for Tourist Resorts, in reply to a protest by Mr. Poland against the increase in charges at Rotorua. and Tc Arohn, informed the House that there had been no revision of tariff at these Tesorts since 1902. and the people would have to realise that the Government was not ?oing to carry them on at a loss. The day had come for economy, and with the consent of Cabinet he had made a revision in the charges which was absolutely overdue years ago. It must bo recojmised that people would have to pay for conveniences provided by the State.

CEMENT REPORT DELAYED. When the Prime Minister was asked by Mr. McCallum to-day when the report of the Cement Commission would be available he explained that it had been intended to present it to the House today, but owinff to the absence of the member principally interested. Mr. Masters, he had agreed not to table it until his return.

Mr. Lee: He told mc he would not be present until next week, and I ?jave him an assurance that the report would not be presented until next week.

TELEPHONE SHORT AC E. A further statement was made by the Postmaster-General to-day showing "what a task the Department had before it in making up leeway in the provision of telephone- facilities for the Dominion. Dr. Thaekcr brought the matter up hy stating that, tliere were 700 people waitinpr in Christehureh.

Mr. Coates stated that the Department was doiiiw everything possible with tlie amount of money at its disposal. \VTint the member had stated was quite correct, but Obristehuroh was not the worst city a< f»r as the shortage whs concerned. Mr. Coates added that in January next telephones would be coming to hand at the rate of 1000 a month for about five months. The contract for the supply had been arranged at a favourable price, and for a favourable type of machine with steel backs. This would not anywhere near catch up the leeway.