POLITICAL NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 17935, 31 July 1920, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES

NUMBER OF RACING DAYS. (By Telegraph.) (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, July 30. Mr. Hunter gave notice to introi duce a Gaming Act Amendment Bill, which it is understood is a private measure promoted by a number or members for increasing the number of racing days. Some interesting discussion is expected when the Bin which Mr. Hunter introduced to-day to increase the racing days conies up for its second reading. Though d number of members have come to an agreement as to what is a fair increase, the Bill does not mention a definite number. The attitude of the Minister of Internal Affairs has been to advise that the Racing Conference in the interests of racing, should make a fairer allotment of existing permits before seeking to increase them. Members who have interested tTiemselves in this question have kept note of the attitude adopted by candidates when they were before their constituents, and they believe there is a majority assured for extension of days devoted to sport.

THE FORTHCOMING LOAN. (By Telegraph.—Special to ( hronidc.) WELLINGTON, July 30. Answering a question by Mr Harris, tho 1 i one .Minister said his opinion was that (cmpulsion wonid no! be noccssa’y for the forthcoming loan, but it was advisable that there shonl 1 be power in the Bill. Ho did not think it would be necessary, because the Government would offer a fair rate of interest, ana he was sure the people would subscribe largely for a patriotic purpose—the settlement of soldiers. He might add, with regard to suggestions that bad been made regarding the credit of the country. that it- was as good as that of any country in the British Empire. He might make the statement stronger, but he did not wish to make invidious comparisons. He was satisfied that when they wanted the money they would gef it without difi’icultyT He did not think it would be necessary to ask for it before the end of November. THE BEAUTY OF FREE SPEECH. WELLINGTON, July 30. A considerable amount of interjection occurred while Mr. Holland was speaking on Samoan affairs tonight. For instance, when Mr. Holland said the New Zealand contract for indentured labourers was worse than that, of, the German. Mr. Atmore (Nelson) broke in with: “Good old Germans, eh?” Mr. Holland—The Germans were bad enough, but 1 am one of those who refuse to go one better.” Mr. Smith (Taranaki) “You never refuse to stick up for them.” Mr. Holland—“ The hon. member knows that that statement has not an element of truth in it.” The Speaker—“ The hon. member must not state that a statement made by any member has not an element lof truth in it. He must withdraw it.” Mr. Holland’s reply indicated that he is well up in the rules of the House. He said: “I will withdraw, and I will say that it is absolutely contrary to fact, and that it is characteristic of statements made by the hon. member.” The member for Buller said a man who would go out, and advocate indentured labour for Samoa would have a bad time. Mr. Isitt proceeded to describe a meeting which he addressed by invitation. “There were about 120 extreme Labour lambs there, waiting for me. They all believed in free speech—all at the same time. There was nothing too bad for me. 1 was 1 a liar, a Judas Iscariot, and a capi- 1 talist tool. But there was something far worse than that, worse than ' Judas Iscariot. I was going to join the Massey Party. (Loud laughter). There was one man there who stood up and said 'There is a rhinoceros beetle in this land—the capitalist, , who is sucking the blood of the working man’’ Oh, we had a very good time/*