POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 11662, 24 September 1901, Page 5

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[Faoir Ottr Pa-rt.t.xmsntaxt Reports*.] WELLINGTON. September 24. JOTTINGS. Tn the House this afternoon Mr Hoggpresented a petition from the Masterton barmaids protesting against any alteration in their hours of employment. The Hon. J. Carroll gave notice of the introduction of the Cornwall Park Estate Bill. THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS. Mr James Allen asked, without notice, what steps it was intended to take in regard to the Sergeant-at-Arms appointment. "The Premier replied that the matter was under consideration The appointment was with the Government, but the recommendation lay with the Speaker. Communications were now passing between Mr Speaker and the Premier with respect to the matter. OCEAN BEACH PROTECTION. At the instance of the membyj for Caversham, the Government have decided to give a subsidy of £ for £ up l«. £7O towards the expenses of Mr Blaij Mason (marine •engineer) for a report on the foreshore at the Ocean Beach ;md St. Clair. PRIVATE MEMBERS' DAYS. The Premier moved that for the remainder of the session Government business take precedence on Wednesdays. lie thought the time had arrived when private members' days ought to cease.—Messrs Hornsby and Fowlds opposed the motionone in the interests of the. Limitation »f Profits and Prevention of Rings Combines Bill, and the other on behalf of the Cvcle Boards Bill—Mr Fisher urged that 'the Government ought not to introduce Bills of a debateable character which it was not intended to pass. He contended that there was no call for the Amending Licensing Bill, neither the Prohibitionists nor the brewers demanding ; .ts introduction.—Mr Seddon, in replying, said a Libel Bill ivas very necessary, as shown in the ease of Rex v. Mabin. After what had occurred in the House recently in connection with the treatment of the Press, Mr Fisher had almost converted him into taking up Mr Camcross's Bill. The Amending Licensing Bill was necessary to remedy existing defects.— The motion for Government business taking precedence on Wednesdays was agreed to.