DOINGS IN THE HOUSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16572, 3 November 1921, Page 6

DOINGS IN THE HOUSE.

Special to the ‘‘ Star.”) WELLINGTON, November 2. UNUSUAL OPPORTUNITIES. “I have been to race meeting,” declared the Prime Minister to-night, in moving the second reading of the Gaming Act Amendment Bill. “ I don’t deny that. Jn fact J have been to many race meetings, especially since I have been in charge of the finances of the country.” Members laughed heartily at this stage, *and Mr Massey looked pained at this immediate misinterpretation of his words. THEY ALL GROAV UP. “You are never going to destroy the breed of cats by encouraging the breeding of young kittens ” was Mr Isitt’s way of enforcing his argument that distributing permits to small racing clubs would not lead ultimately to a decrease in gambling. MINISTER’S SUSPICIONS. 'IKe suggestion that some questions were put in the House with political motives was made by the Minister of Lands, the Hon D. H. Guthrie, in replying to Air Mitchell (AYellington South) who wished to ask the Alinister a question in reference to a settler on the Clifton Estate. He said he had been unable to give the l Minister notice, as he had just received a telegram which lie read. The Alinister said lie lvnd said, before it was not fair that such questions should be asked without giving notice. He knew perfectly well that a number or these questions were put for political reasons. Air Mitchell : “ I only received the telegram from Dunedin a little while The Minister: “It coukl very well have waited until to-morrow. All I can say is that if a member places a question on the Order Paper he will get an answer in due course.” COSTLY' RETURNS. Every session members ask the Government to authorise the preparation of divers returns, and more often than not the return has for its object the discovery of the cost of something, and is not Bought with a view to showing how economical the Government has been. The other side of the matter was revealed to-day, when the Prime Minister was being urged by various members to allow motions for returns standing in their names to bo passed. Mr Massey pointed out that in some instances it was quite impossible to give the information sought, and he added that one return which was asked for last week but was not granted, would cost £4OOO to prepare. The Prime Minister having given the hint, it seems up to someone to move immediately for a return giving the total cost of the preparations "of returns asked for by members during the present session. But perhaps that is a return the Government has up its sleeve as ammunition, should allegations of waste become prevalent