PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15856, 30 August 1913, Page 10

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

NOTES FROM THE PRESS : GALLERY. < (Fnoii Oue Own Correspondent.) < WELLINGTON, August 29. ' Mr Laurenson, in making a plea this ' evening for the payment by the State of , the expenses of private membei'6 in visiting public woi'ks, said that if such assist- . ance were granted to members thousands j of pounds would be saved every year. He < instanced ,the Canterbury, We6tfand,-and I Otago Central railways, and said that if | the numbers had 6teii the localities, before ' the lines 'were commenced they would never have been started. "IF 1 WERE MINISTER." " Dr Newman, in a contribution of complaints regarding the railway service,.,tonight said:—"l wish I was Minister of Railways for a week, I would alter these things. I would call in my officials and say: 'Do this within three' days or take your dismissal.'"—(Laughter) "It is. simply intolerable,'' he added, "that these things should continue. All that the Minister has to do is to. say the word and it will be done. I suppose they are waiting for this heaven-sent general manager."—(Laughter.) COOLIES FROM FIJI. Mr Young has given notice to ask; the Prime Minister whether the Government will enter into immediate negotiations through the Imperial authorities -with the Government of Fiji with a view to seeing if it would not be possible to. compel those persons and corporations who have been responsible for the importation of Hindoo coolies into the Islands under the authority of the Fijian Government to return them to India at the completion of their labour contracts so as to check iin some measure, if not altogether abolish, the •migration of coolies from Fiji to. New Zealand. IMPERIAL DEFENCE COMMITTEE. Mr Myers is asking the Minister of Defence whether it is the Government's intention to appoint a pernianent representative on the Committee of' Imperial Defence in London. ENCOURAGING SHIPPING. Mr Okey is asking the Minister of Industries and Commerce whether his attention has been drawn to the increase in the cost of freight between the dominion and the Old Country, and whether he will endeavour to encourage additional shipping lines to come to New Zealand and participate in the increasing 'trade of the dominion. PATIENCE OF MR GLOVER, The patience Of Mr Glover became exhausted to-night during the discussion on 1 the Eailway Estimates.- He endeavoured time after time to catch the eye of the Chairman of Committees (Mr Malcolm), 1 but failed and had to give way to other members,' whose seats apparently came [ into the Chairman's view more readily. ! After Mr Glover had risen for about the sixth time without obtaining the right to ■ speak he exclaimed in a tone of deep 5 sorrow: " You cut mc out every time." 1 The Chairman (sternly) : "The hon. mem- • ber must not use expressions like that." I j Mr Glover : " I withdraw, sir, but a. rose I by any other name will smell as sweet!"— (Laughter). Mr Glover then vacated, his scat and took lh:it usually occupied by Mr Malcolm himself just in front of the Chairman, and there-patiently awaited his '" opportunity.