THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20032, 23 August 1920, Page 7

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

WORK ON THE GAMING BILL,

TALK AND BUSINESS.

(Special to the ‘•'Star.-' 5 ) WELLINGTON, August 21. ( After all, the House has won on the Gaming Amendment Bill. It came back from the Council very much amended—disguised in fact. However, the .House recognised it. and proceeded to strip it of its disguise. Sir William Herrics had charge of the Bill in the absence of tho Hon G. J. Anderson. Ho appeared more enamoured of tho, Council's proposals than of those sent fonvard by tho House. Mildly suggesting that it would bo wise not to reject too many of tho amendments, ho proposed to lake exception only to ono, that limiting the number of races on one day in winter to seven. There was certain to be opposition to this attitude; and Mr M'Combs was quick enough to seize the opportunity of loading it. Ho proposed to disagree with the amendments authorising tho publication of dividends and the telegraphing of money to the totalisator. For onco Mr M’Combs succeeded in impressing the House with his point of view, or rather the House was impressed with tho point of view that ho was first to state. By 31 votes to 24 it was decided that tho amendments named should bo disagreed with. Though the members of the Ministry voted against this, and the full voting strength of the House was not present, there was such a mixture of parties that it was evidently regarded as a non-party matter. and the Government made no attempt to secure a reversal of tho decision. Tiio House’s decision was subsequently notified to the Council, with tho reasons therefor as set out by Sir William Homes, Mr Witty and Hr M’Combs. There was somo confusion when tho amendments were under coneidoration as the numbering of snboljuiscs led members to bo uncertain nhat they were voting for. Later the Council communicated politely with the House asking what it really was that tho House disagreed with and why? It seemed as if the House did not know its own mind, till it was found that the Council had a copy of tho amended Bill different from that in tho possesfirm of the House. After somo time given to rest and thought and a little devoted to discussion the Council finally decided that it was really not so keen on the amendments no it had thought and the Bill as it was would do very well. After all it is just as wqll to he agreeable if one cannot bo successful. The biggest job tackled during the week, apart from tho Gaming Bill, has been the committee stage of the Statutes Repeal and Expiring Laws Amendment and Continuance Bill. The second reading had been passed easily vutli the promise that the measure could be much better dealt with in committee. I’jven as it was the discussion was long; but it might have been going still if tho Government had not cut out two of tho main reasons for debate by promising that there would be a Housing mil later in the session and iilso a special Bill dealing with Samoa. Labour uas just fml of suggestions for restricsyteLr * “ Wit ™« rnr^ n *T. Jay was evote( 3 to football, in re U T v, ’ e , ll1; u ' ) in forco to hoc the All Blacks play m the mud. In tho evening members found that Dr tomaro s little deportment of Cook Islands had a special fascination for, them. t here was much learned discuswon of the habits of the natives and why they wore not taught English, and why the breed ot pigs on tho Islands was deteriorating, and why the Island Jowls laid eggs no bigger than those of a pigeon. Tho serious criticism was directed at the Resident Commissioner, whom a, number of members considered to bo wanting in tact. Tho Commissioner was quiio as vigorously defended by others, _ The real purpose of the discussion, it afterwards appeared, was not so much concern for tho ’eathon in his bbndness as a desire to block a private Bill promoted by Mr iStatham to stop live-pigeon shooting matches. Discussion of the defence report occupied the greater part of the nfter>]?on and evening on Thursday. Labour did not take part and the critics generally were quit© moderate and somewhat helpful in their criticism. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes gave an inkling oil the new defence proposals, which, it appears, will provide for continuance of cadet training and for some modifications of_ tho territorial scheme. Mr Malcolm’s proposals were not approved and Labour’s were not even discussed if there aro any Labour defence proposals. Mr Massey remarked art midnight on Friday, after tho House had been on the Estimates nil the evening and best part of tho afternoon, that the patience of .lob was nothing to his. He might find it difficult to prove this; but bo could always say that Job would not have built up the reputation be did if ho bad had to see the Estimates through tho New Zealand Parliament. Generally, however, the House was not obstructive, only discursive and somewhat tedious. Tin's was so especially in the debate on the National War Memorial vote, winch debate was largely concerned with whether Wellington was prepared to do enough to deserve tho memorial. Members did not take a, parociiial view of the matter, but somo were inclined to arguo that Wellington was not the most generous place in tho Dominion, Tho Legislative Council this week has been considering an amendment to the Legislative Council Act. The amendments proposed aro quite of a. minor diameter, and the Bill has been brought forward principally to allow Parliament a,u opportunity of reconsidering the measure before it becomes law. Sir Francis Bell stated that the Government intended to stand by the Act.