PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 248, 18 October 1924, Page 49 (Supplement)

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY. A TIRED HOUSE. (T>j Telegraph.—Special to "Star. ,, * WELLINGTON, this day. An atmosphere of fatigue prevailed in the House of Representatives all last evening, and discussion on various local bills, and later on the Education Amendment Bill, was tedious. At midnight, when it was proposed to put the Education Amendment Bill through the committee stage, Mr. Holland protested that members were utterly exhausted. He drew attention to the* fact that quite a number of them were asleep on the benches, and attributed this to a series of recent late sittings. The Hon. Downie Stewart, who was the Minister in charge, said he was between two fires, as members on the other side were demanding that some work be done. The House then wont into committee on the Education Bill, and Mr. Holland was one of three or four Labour members who rose simultaneously to speak. About two dozen members were in the house. Local Bills Passed. Among the bills read a third time and passed to-day were the Auckland Harbour Board Loan and Empowering Bill, Auckland City Abattoir Bill, South In ; vercargill Borough Awards Valuation Bill, New Plymouth Harbour Board Empowering Bill, and North Shore Boroughs (Auckland) Water Supply Bill. Sunday School Rating. Mr. W. J. Jordan asked the Minister of Internal Affair in the House of Representatives whether, seeing that a recent decision of the Supreme Court in Invercargill, was to the effect that Sunday schools are liable ior rates, he would introduce legislation exempting Sunday schools from rating by local bodies. Newmarket Bill Dropped. The Local Bills Committee reported upon the Newmarket Borough Empowering Bill without amendment, and having been advised by Mr. J. A. Lee, the member in charge, that it was desired to withdraw the measure, the committee recommended the House to permit of its withdrawal. This was done accordingly. It is understood there was some local opposition to the proposal to widen and improve Station Road, which accounted for the dropping of the proposed legislation. -Grant for Fraakton School. The Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Education, has advised Mr. Young (Hamilton) that Cabinet has approved of a grant for additionsio the district school at Frankton Junction. Woolston Tanneries Petition. As a means of securing finality in the case of tho Woolston Tanneries Company, which has petitioned the House in regard to a claim against the Government, the Public Petitions Committee reported to-day recommending the Government to refer the whole matter to a Supreme Court judge. The Premier agreed that the matter could not remain in its present state, and *aid he would consult his colleagues with a view to having an investigation by a judge if one was available. Wireless on Ships. The Minister of Marine (Hon. G. J. Anderson) was asked by Mr. Wright (Wellington) whether an amendment would be made to the Shipping and Seamen Act enabling the Marine Department to issue regulations insisting on wireless upon ships. The Minister replied that the law draftsmen were preparing a bill, which would be brought down next week. Judges' Extra Work. A hint that Supreme Court judges have objected to being called on to conduct Royal Commissions was conveyed to the House by the Prime Minister today. A select committee had recommended the reference of a petition to a Snpreme Court judge for inquiry, and the Premier, while agreeing that the House would have every confidence in the judges, said it must not be taken for granted that the judges would comply with the request that they should hold an inquiry. As a matter of fact they need not, and it had been indicated quite recently that they were not to be called on to hold Royal Commissions. Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Justice: They are too busy. —— —