POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 20289, 25 September 1929, Page 13

POLITICAL POINTS

ON WITH THE BUSINESS [From Our Paelukekxart EBror.iar.J ' WELLINGTON, September 24, Being anxious to got on -with the 'business'of the session, Sir Joseph Ward moved to-day, and it as resolved, that .on and after Wednesday "next Government business shall take precedence on Wednesdays. In the early part of tho session Wednesday’s sittings arc given over, to private members’ business. Iho, Prime Minister gave the House an un- ■ dertaking that the Gaming Amendment' Bill, introduced by Sir George Hunter, would be given an "opportunity tins session, so that tho feeling of the House might bo tested. Mr Mason (Auckland Suburbs) and the Leader of the Opposition urged the Prime Minister to give certain private Bills a chance-this session. it was pointed out that under the new Standmg Orders private members had very little chance of having their Bills discussed.., /.■ ~ • “ Everything will depend on tiio course of Government business,” was the Prime Minister’s reply. Tho House, he said, had been sitting for quite a while,, but progress had not been at any great speed. Mr Savage (Auckland West): Whose fault is that? _ . . , The Prime Minister: It is Hie lion, gentleman’s fault. (Laughter.) - Oh, I’m sorry. I mistook the voice. 1 thought it was someone else’s voice. It is not Ins fault. I may say that everything depends on the rate of business, and if possible I will be only too happy .to give private members’ Bills an opportunity. Mr Sullivan; You recognise tho importance of tho Annual Leave Bill? Sir Joseph: I recognise the importance of all of them. lam anxious to get the Government’s policy measures, which are important, on tho Statute Book. *** * , PREMIER’S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE Has Cabinet decided to sell the Prime Minister’s House, and, if so, will the property be sold by private or public auction? asked Mr Semple (Wellington East) in the House. Tho Prime Minister replied that it had been decided to subdivide the ground, but to retain the house and the ground on which it stood. Tho house was to be used for Government purposes, and tho land subdivided would bo sold by public aucion, A Reform Member: Shame! **, * * EARTHQUAKE RESTORATION. Cabinet lias accepted a tender for the repair of Duller Hospital, .which was damaged by the earthquake. Another restoration item dealt with at a meeting of Cabinet yesterday was the recommendation of the Joint Library Committee of the Legislature that the Seddonville Library should he given 180 books from the General Assembly Library, This proposal was approved. ■Jr rv * * THE MILFORD TRACK. Cabinet has decided to proceed immediately with the replacement of Glade House, To Anau, which was destroyed by fire.