POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5356, 6 September 1895, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[from our own corresponding. J WELLINGTON, S»pt. 5. WASTE OF TIME.

This evening members indulged in what may be termed a parliamentary picnic, the Premier being the invited guest. He was in charge of the Corrupt Practices Act Amendment Bill, which met with a warm reception whilst in committee. It was variously described by Government supporters aa " anxiety for the purity of Parliament run mad," as "full of anaris and pitfalls for candidates and their friends." as a " mantrap for candidates," and as a " thoroughly bad Bill, and the sooner it wag killed and put out of its misery the better." OuriDg the evening two motions to kill' the Bill were defeated. In the course of the discussion the Premier, amidst laughter, said that in the district he came from political corruption was unknown. The member for Avon reminded him of a certain goldfield election where a dead Chinaman was polled under the name, of M'Tavißh; but Mr Crowther. capped all by declaring— giving a meaning look in the Premier's direction— that he did not set himself np as one of those Simon Puree, and that he had done all* he could to win hiß election by running outside the Act without being caught. This brought down the House,' wbioh roared with laughter and applauded heartily. Another incident arose when it wbb pointed out the present Bill was a bad copy of one previously introduced by Mr Scobie Mackenzie, of which the Premier had said that the man who introduced it should have a halter placed round hia neck and be brought before the bar of the House. The Premier said that what he had objeoted to in the Bill then had been taken out, but Mr Hogg maintained that there was no difference; HIBCELIiANBOtrS. Mr Alien will ask the Minister of Defence if a supply of Martini-Henry ammunition iB kept at each of the four | centreßi Mr M'Nab wants information circulated in the country districts showing the danger of the communication of anthrax to persons brought in contact with infected matter. Mr Flatman is moving that the ' Government Bhould, during the recess, cousider a general reduction of the salaries of all Civil Bervants who have been in receipt of over £250 per annum.