PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 182, 1 August 1923, Page 9

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY (By Telegnph.—Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON"; Tuesday. The outstanding feature in Parliament to-day wass the introduction of the Soldiers' Settlement Amendment Bill, full details of which are reported elsewhere. The remainder of the business consisted in the third reading and passing of a number of important measures. These included the Savings Bank Amendment Bill, Cook Islands Amendment Bill, Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill, Registration of Aliens Suspension Bill, Chattels Transfer Amendment Bill, British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Bill. The Samoa Amendment Bill was discussed in committee, and after certain clauses were passed progress was reported, the Premier undertaking to bring down certain amendments of the earlier clauses.

The Auckland University Amendment Bill was postponed owing to the absence of the Hon. C. J. Parr, who was reported to bo suffering a relapse of influenza. Mr. Allen Bell (Bay of Islands) is also off through sickness.

PURE BRITISH STOCK. The great majority of people in the Dominion are anxious that the people of New Zealand as now should be of the purest British stock, declared the Prime Minister, during a discussion on the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill. The Premier explained that the immigration law-had been framed on that basis. We had been led to do that on account of what had taken place in other countries within the Empire. Everyone knew that many undesirables , had found their way to Canada. He hoped that we would never follow the I example of Great Britain in this respect, for there was a type of foreigner in the East End of London, for instance, that we did not want in New Zealand. We had to be careful in our legislation, for there was nothing to prevent these people naturalised in Britain or Canada claiming all rights of New Zealand citizenship. That was what we did not want. It was for us to say what the future of our country was going to be so far as race was concerned

It is a crime against the womanhood of New Zealand, declared Mr. H. F. Holland, in protesting against a British woman losing her nationality when she married an alien. It was attacking the and most glorious in a woman to ask her either to surrender her nationality or surrender love. Aβ stated, the bill was duly passed, and the House rose at 11.45. DRILL DURING EPIDEMIC. Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East) asked the Minister of Defence whether he will postpone the compulsory military service parades until the influenza epidemic has I passed.

FROM HENDERSON TO KINGStAND;

The fact that housewives coming from Henderson to Kingeland to shop have to travel to Mount Eden and travel back to Kingsland by tram, saving 10d but wasting time, was mentioned by Mr. F. N. Bar tram. It. was pointed out that the .existing ' arrangements caused- great inconvenience. In reply, Mr. Coates (Minister of Railways) said ihat people at intermediate stations seemed to ask the same con cessions as those in tbc suburban areae, although the former had the service of other trains. The whole question of suburban services was being investigated. He thought each case would require to be considered on its merits, for it looked almost impossible to lay down a definite policy for the whole Dominion. SORCERY AND WITCHCRAFT.

"1 notice two females have l>een convicted of sorcery and witchcraft," remarked Mr. T. M. Wilford, Leader of the Opposition, referring to the convictions for crime recorded in the Cook Islands. Mr. Wilford added that he did not know whether that meant palmistry, reading the crystal, or what. (Laughter.) Sir Maui Pomare (Minister in Charge): They are not so advanced as the Pakeha. Mr. Wilford: Perhaps the' Minister will explain what constitutes sorcery and witchcraft.

Sir Maui Pomare said that the Cook Islanders might get the length of crystal gazing they became civilised. Meantime the Government was trying to put down existing practices.