PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 208, 2 September 1926, Page 16

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY. THE LICENSING BILL. POOR CHAXCE*THIS SESSION. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reoorter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. j The original Licensing BUI is more ;than equalled in length by the number of J amendments which have been announced, J though there may be a further crop i ready for use without notice if the bill I reaches committee. Members have gene- | rally come to the conclusion that the Government is convinced of the futility of endeavouring to jret the bill passed this session, especially the matter cropped up at the Reform caucus to-day, and it was demonstrated that there were lively differences of opinion. Though the measure is not a party one, the utmost likely to be done is to take ih° second reading, which would plainly show the; I hopelessness of adequately dealing with the matter in the dying hours of tt'.e session. The latest addition to the pile of amendments is a series from Mr. J. C. Rolleston (Waitomo), seeking power for a licensing poll in the King Country next election. If licenses be approved, the amendment provides for licenses not fewer than one for every 1000 electors, or more than one per 500 electors. Smyth Divorce Bill. The Select Committee which considere.l the Mildred Elaine Smyth Divorce Bill reported that it had carefully considered the clauses, and had no amendment to propose. The allegations of the preamble of the bill were proved to its satisfaction, subject to a technical amendment. which was necessary in order that the date of respondent's criminal conviction might be stated. "Beware of the Duchesses." Congratulations to the Prime Minister by Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition) were accompanied by a warning. He remarked that it was the Prime Minister's first Imperial Conference, and he was to be congratulated on the opportunity he would enjoy of doing service, not only to New Zealand, but to the world. He smilingly warned the Premier to beware of the duchesses, quoting the statement of Sir Wilfrid Laurier that it was hard to withstand the gracious duchesses. Ordinary men's heads were turned in an evening, and few men could resist long. Mr. Holland proceeded to suggest that the time had arrived when representation at the Imperial Conference should not be confined to one party, and the Premier should be able to attend with specific instructions from Parliament on subjects which should be discussed. A Futile Argument. Referring to problems affecting overseas settlement, Mr. Holland said that New Zealand was receiving approximately 10,000 immigrants annually from the Home Land, and it was claimed that thisrelieved congestion in England. But that argument was blown out by the fact that there was an annual influx to England of lOOjOOO from Europe each year. Whatever other argument we might advance for immigration, that could not be one of them. Mr. Holland favoured bringing immigrants to New Zealand from England, but the present pace was too fast, as we were bringing more than we could economically absorb. Empire Parliamentary Visitors. The British, Irish, and Canadian members of the delegation which is to attend the Empire Parliamentary Association Conference in Australia this month will arrive at Auckland by the Aorangi on Sunday, September 12, and arrangements have been made for 27 visitors to pay a flying visit to the thermal district. A special train will take delegates to Rotorua after arrival, and the return, trip will be commenced on the Monday evening. Auckland will be reached at 11 p.m., and the Aorangi will take her departure for .Sydney at midnight. The members of the New Zealand delegation, Hon. John Barr. Messrs. J. S. Diekson, W. A. Veitch. and M. J. Savage, who will be leaving by the Aorangi, have chosen Mr. Diekson as leader. Mr. Gale, who is to look after the party in Australia, will arrive a.c Auckland on Tuesday next, and be met there by Mr. Diekson.