IN PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1214, 24 August 1911, Page 5

IN PARLIAMENT.

DAILY SUMMARY. PRESS ASSOCIATION CRITICISED. Tho Legislative Council resumed business yesterday. Sir ilaurice O'Korko repeated nis Suggestion that tho University .of Now Zealand should be empowered to comer degrees in divinity, Tno Hon. J. A. At'Gowan said tie matter was receiving .consideration, bir Aia.urico O'Rorke also'moved in lavqur ot tho Government establishing rural settlements lor army pensioners. Ihoso who followed him did not seum attracted by tho idea of bringing tlus class oi settlers into tho Dominion. Tha discussion was adjourned. Tho Lower House had yet another discussion on tho grievance of tho country racing clubs. The A to h Potitions Committee reported favourably upon a petition that tho Knngitikci Racing Club might have its totalisator licenses granted as heretofore, 'lliis was strongly supported by the member ior the district, the representatives ol neighbouring electorates, and a number of otner members. A lew remarks by Mr. Jennings showed that the report and discussion had rekindled his hopes of passing his Bill for saving some' of the country racing clnbs from the threatened destruction, but the Ministerial position was still that the recommendations of tho Racing Commission must stand, at least for the twelve months. — AVhen "questions and replies" were before the House, tha principal discussion was concerned with the methods of the Press Association. Mr. Wright submitted a series of instances in support of the contention that tho morning paper agency of the association in Wellington is, as he said on a previous occasion, "under tho thumb of tho Government." On the other side, cases wore_ mentioned in which speeches by Sir Joseph WaTd and the Hon. T. Mackenzie in places in Otago had not been adequately reported by the association. The' only defence attempted against Mr. Wright's charges relating to the Wellington morning agency was an expression of opinion by the Minister for Agriculture that two ■ inches was quite enough newspaper , space for the "march to, Parliament gates" prior to Sir Joseph Ward's departure for London in 1009.

In the evening, Mr. Witty's Land Agents' Registration Bill was debated at ouch length as to suggest that something was bsing talked out. The second readins was at length carried, and then Mr. Newman obtained leave to further postpone the Hereditary Titles Bill. - Mr. Fisher's Bill to repeal tho Second Ballet Act was ,the next order, but the adjournment of the Honso was moved by the Acting-Prime Minister. This brought Mr. Fisher to his feet' to make a spirited protest. The adjournment was, however, carried, and tho House rose at 11.20 p.m.