PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

White Ribbon, Volume 13, Issue 159, 15 September 1908, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

The ten days’ recess allowed for our lawmakers to journey to Auckland for the reception of the American fleet is partly to blame for the paucity of material for this columns Quite apart from that, the approaching election day is written large on Parliamentary proceedings, the members, metaphorically squinting, keeping one eye on the business before them, and the other on their electorates, where, perhaps, opponents are busy speech-making, and making themseles agreeable to all and sundry. The Arbitration Amendment Bill has not yet come out of the Committee stage, and one has almost had time to forget about it. Doubtless the Minister for Labour and other responsible persons are wishing they could forget about it. The Second Ballot Bill is well on its way to the Statute Book. It provides for a second election being held a week after the first, if no candidate secures a majority of the constituents’ votes. In that case, the two candidates polling the greatest number of votes will have to try conclusions again. It seems a very fair Bill, the only drawback being the loophole for a corrupt government or unscrupulous persons to spend that week in wire-pulling. The Municipal Franchise Bill lias just been 44 killed ” in the Legislative Council, and wisely so, for there is not enough public opinion expressed to warrant such legislation. It does not seeni to he a greatly appreciated privilege to be able to vote on municipal matters, judging by the apathy shown on polling day by taxpayers, and it is only to he expected that non-taxpayers would take even less interest.

nur Tasmanian sisters are to be congratulated on the passing of the law to prevent the employment of any other barmaids besides those already in work. Our opponents on the liquor question say

that men will have the drink win her it is served by men or women, but ve know, and they know too, that barmaids have been the cause of tin* downfall of many young men. May our own Parliament soon follow’the excellent example 01 the Tasmanian Assembly. - <\S.L.