POLITICAL GOSSIP

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10640, 13 July 1920, Page 4

POLITICAL GOSSIP

HOUSE AND LOBBY TALK jottings from the press GALLERY. BUSINESS FOR. THE WEEK. The Addrcss-in-Reply to tho Gover-nor-General’s Speech having been passed last week, tho House of Representatives will now get down to the ordinary business. To-day and Friday will be devoted to Government business, while Wednesday and Thursday are private members’ days. The Government measures, in the order in which they stand on the Order Paper—all for second reading-—are as under:—New Zealand Standard Time Bill, Marriage Amendment Bill, Revocation of Naturalisation Amendment Bill, Registration of Aliens Amendment Bill (Hon. G. J. Anderson), Civil List Bill (Right Hon. W. F. Massey), .Municipal Corporations Bill (Hon.* G. J. Anderson), Arms Bill (Right Hon. W. F. Massey), Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Amendment Bill (Hon. W. Nosworthy). Tho Native Trustee Bill (Hon. Sir W. H. Hornes) passed its second reading on Friday, and was referred to the Native. Affairs Committee.

For Wednesday a large number of notices of questions have accumulated, and the printed answers to these will, no doubt, be circulated, and members will have an opportunity of discussing them. Two private members’ bills—the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill (Mr ,J. McCombs), and the Coal Mines Amendment Bill (Mr Holland) —are down for second reading to-morrow. For- Thursday, the orders of the day arc the following second readings:— Industrial' Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill (Mr Savage), Destitute Persons Amendment Bill (Mr Harris), and .Maori War Medal Bill' (Mr Wright). MINISTERIAL RESHUFFLE.

The Prime Minister informed a ‘‘Times” representative yesterday that Cabinet has not yet finally, settled the rearrangement of portfolios, as the appointment of a new Minister has still to be decided upon. It is regarded as likely, however, that _Mr Massey, having gained, an insight into mining matters through the conference between the coal-owners and the coalminers, ■will retain the portfolio of mines recently handed over io him by Sin William Fraser, especially now that the Premier has been relieve!! by the Hon. E. P. Lee taking over the presidency of the Board of Trade._ Sir William Fraser, it is understood, is to remain a member of the Executive, without portfolio or salary. “ MEMBERS AWAY. Many members of both Houses of the Legislature took advantage of the long and quiet week-end to pay a flying visit to their homes. There was quite a lull in matters polftical over'the week-end. With the exception of one or two deputations, none of them of very, great moment, thero was practically ■ ■ nothing doing that had reached the publication stage; and members, sensing this no doubt, and. bearing in mind that they had a long session before them, with perhaps many week-ends when they will be unable to get away, took chance while they had it.

THE LATE SERGEANT-AT-AR-MS. Sincere expressions of regret at tie sudden death ot the late Sergeant-at-Arms (Commander C. G. Horne) were universally voiced yesterday by members of Parliament, and the officers of the House of Representatives. For many years past he had been a striking arid picturesque figure in the House, having twice held the post of Sergeant-at-Arms for lengthy lienods, and ho : will be greatly missed. A man of fine presence-, he always carried out the duties of his office with the greatest dignity, and decorum.