POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12933, 12 October 1907, Page 10

POLITICAL NOTES.

(•pxciAL to "xnrn n*aa.") WELLINGTON, October 11. AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS BILL. The evidence taken by the Labour Bills Committee on the Agricultural Labourers Accommodation Bill was presented to the House to-day. The witnesses examined were: —George Sheafc, farmer, Dunsandel; David ; Jomes, farmer, of Weedons, Canterbury; Richard Evans, farmer, Kaiapoi; John :GriKg, of Longbeaoh, and I'xlward Kennedy, farm labourer, Durham street, Christehurch. The Bill is dead for this session. A BUILDING CONTRACT. There has been a good deal of talk in the lobbies about an article in the Wiliroa "Guardian," of the 27th September, regarding the amount for extras paid on the £27,000 contract for the railway departmental building in Wellington. Members generally doubt the accuracy of the statements made The matter has been brought under the notice of the Premier, and the allegations are of so serious a nature that he will probably make a statement in the House regarding them. I have fcho Premier's, authority for stating that the statements made are absolutely inaccurate. Sir Joseph Ward has placed tho matter in the hands ot a lawyer. He himself had nothing to di with tho arrangement for extras in connection with the building. THE TOTALISATOR. Notice of the following questions to tho Premier was given to-day by Mr Poole:—(1) Whether his attention has been called to tho advertised programme of the Wellington Racing Club, which states that a "double totalisator" will bo in use on Doth days at the club's meeting at Trontham on the 17th and 10th October, notwithstanding the expressed views of the Premier, who, when replying to tho anti-gambling deputation, stated that the "double totalisator" should bo abolished. (2) Will the Government take prompt steps to prevent the Wellington Racing Club and a.ny other racing club using a "double totalisator'' from continuing such a gambling practice. (3) Can the Premier give an idea when the Gambling Bill, to restrict gambling by racing clubs and others, will be brought down. Tho following note was attached by Mr Poole to hie questions:—'Tho Wellington Racing Club and other cluoe still continue the objectionable practice of receiving 'outside investments.' and also pursue the practice of 'ringing up' tickets after the race is run, and it is high time that such questionable practices were prohibited by law."