PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 4 July 1927, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

GENERAL NOTES. The only member outside the Labour . Party who followed that Party into the ; lobby 1. .r on the amendment on " the unemployment question was Mr 11. Atmore, the member for Nelson. The most interesting feature in the division on the amendment moved by the Labour Party was that only three of the Nationalist Party, of which Mr Forbes is Leader, voted, viz., Messrs Buddo, Horn, and Seddon, and these three voted with the Government. Mr Forbes and a few others were absent, but some members of the Party, who were in attendance during the sitting. did not vote. There were no pairs. All the members of the Government and Labour Parties who were present voted. The Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) seeks to repeal Clause 13 of last year’s Act, which vested voting power in corporate bodies. There is some possibility that it might also dual with the method of voting. Air Fraser wants to know whether the Government will institute a searching enquiry into the financial business ami planting operations of the various commercial forestry and tree-planting concerns, in which the public hax e invested large sums of money? Sir George Hunter is hopeful of earning his Gaming Amendment Bill through all stages in the Lower House, though not without considerable opposition. He has purposely left out the most contentious matter that was formerly in the Bill. The Bill provides for the telegraphing of bets to the secretary of a racing club for investment on the totalisator, the removal of the restriction on the publication of dividends, and the use of the double totalisator. The Racing Conference . and the Sports Protection League have asked Sir George to take charge of the Bill in the House of Representatives, and the Prime Minister has agreed to give facilities for a discussion. Mr Adam Hamilton, in his speech last referred to the Parties at present in Parliament. In regard to the National Party he said it was difficult to understand the movements that were taking place among their old friends (the Liberals). Mr Veitch—ls that the only thing you don’t understand? Mr Hamilton —Some find great difficulty in distinguishing between what they call the Liberal Party and the Libera! policy.