Parliamentary Jottings.

Thames Star, Volume XLII, Issue 10682, 10 August 1905, Page 2

Parliamentary Jottings.

The Petitions Committee has recommended the petition from Thames residents for consideration of the necessities of the aged needy blind to the Berious consideration of the Government. Mr Fisher has issued a. writ for libel, claiming £."1000, against the. Temuka Leader, a paper owned by Mr Twomey, formerly a, member of the Legislative Council, which, very strongly commented on the actions' of the party. Mr Taylor intends to issue a, writ for £2000, and Messrs Bedford and La.urenson, may follow suit. "It will be a. dark day for NewZealand when the clergy get control of our schools."—Hon. Mir McGowan, Minister for Justice. Mr Kirkbridc is to ask the Minister of Marine if ho will take, immediate steps to haivei a certain amount of dredging done mi the channel of the Manukau Harbour, in order to I prevent a recurrence of such, an, accident as happened at an early hour on Tuesday morning, viz., the steamer Takapuna. sticking on a rnudbank with the 'Frisco mail on board. Mr Rutherford referred to the importance of encouraging rifle clubs by a free supply of ammunition;, Baying thai it would be a very cheap form of defence if these clubs were* formed all over the colony. The Defence Minister (Mr Seddon) went on to say 'that he thought the allowance of ammunition to rifle club members (100 rounds) was too small. He claimed that members of rifle clubs had been given a status by the Government, which, two years ago they did not possess. Mr Moss has; been informed tEat the claims of the Opani-Turua road will receive consideration.

Mr Seddon said members should be careful about laying papers on the table of the House, Test they should Ibe establishing ;0> dangerous precedent one that would riolate freedom of debate, freedom of speech, and the rights of the menibrs, and do damage to the Civil Service. In any ordinary Court the accuser had to make his accusation. He had to state definitely what the accusation, was.

The Minister for Public Works expressed considerable scepticism as to the alleged affidavits. "Why," he said, "there may be only blank sheets of paper in that packei. (Laughter). Mr Fisher: If that is so I will resign.

Mr Hall-Jones devoted his attention to Mr Bedford's reference to the Southern meetings of the New Liberal party. So far as he could see, the public was sick and tired of the course taken by the four members. ''Why," he went on, "their meeting in Invercargill broke up* in. sucK a disorderly wav that ther© was no time to take up a collection." (Laughter.) Mr Hall-Jones in concluding deprecated the House wasting time over such! "frivolous questions." He compared Mr Fisher and his party to the octapus vulgaris, and said that they wero now trying to cover' themwlves up_ in tttfl airi vhidh ikvy had b*fc stirring up.