POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2161, 17 August 1907, Page 4

POLITICAL NOTES.

(Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, August 15. THE RAILWAY SERVICE. Recommendations drawn up by a meeting of men in certain grades of the service were presented to Sir Joseph Ward, Minister for Railways, to-day by a deputation consisting of over 30 members. The Government party proceedings were not open to the press, but it is understood that the Minister in the course of his reply made an important announcement to the effct that it was intended at an early date to take a vote of the men employed in the railway worksshops whether they shall come under the operation of the Arbitration Act. Ho also intimated that it was proposed to improve the condition of the men in somo of the other classes of the service. STATE FOOD AND CLOTHING. Mr. Barclay enterceded Supply tonight by moving:—“That in the opinion of this Houso the time has arrived when control of food and clothing supplies of the people should be taken in hand by the Government.” Mr. Heke said Mr. Barclay might have also included timber in his motion. Mr. Barclay’s effort was hopelessly defeated by 55 to 10. In addition to the two Maori members, Mesrs Parata and Heke, the only members who supported it were Messrs Ell, Laurenson, Hogg, Tanner, Arnold, Lawry and Sidey. THE TOTALISATOR. During the greater part of the present session petitions, both for and against the totalisator have been pouring into Parliament. To-day the opponents of the legalised betting machine arranged a. tour de force. A box of petitions from the South bad arrived, and the total number of signatures numbered 36,000. These were all objecting to the use of the totalisator and they were distributed amongst a crowd of members so that a considerable time was occupied in their presentation. The effectiveness of this demonstration, however, suffered to some extent owing to the fact that a number of members interposed with petitions in favour of the totalisator, and also owing to the fact that some members presented petitions both for and against the machine. Pro-totalisator members, however, were in a decided minority to-day. THE SESSION. The present session front which much was expected goes wearily along, with very little debatable matter touched, and members are beginning

to wonder whafc is tho reason ot it all. Tho Uppor llouso lias had to , adjourn after ono briof sitting this week because it has no work to do. Tho Land Committoo mooting to deal with tho Lund Bill was adjourned today because a number of members were engaged on another committee and tho Taxing Bill, which over a wook ago Sir Josoph Ward mtnnatod was to go to tho Public Accounts Committee, lias not yet reached that committee. Under tho circumstances it is not, perhaps, surprising that members generally are listless and taking little interest in proceedings. It is always difficult to got “a house” at 10 o’ clock, after tho supper adjorurnmont, and many members are driven by tho unwonted dullness into Monte Carlo. Indeed! Monto Carlo is a perfect godsend to tho Government whips nowadays, because were it not for the harmless necessary game of cards members would not stay about tho prccints, but would retire to their homos or thoir lodgings. Thor® is, however, perhaps an indication of more strenuous and more interesting times to come, in a motion, notice of which was given by tho Premier to-day, viz:“That on and aftor Wednesday, August 21st, and for tho remainder of tho session Government business take precedence on Wednesdays.” REFORMING THE COUNCIL. Sir William Steward is as proud as tho proverbial dog with two tails because of tho success that has attended him in his efforts to got his Legislative Council Election Bill through tho Houso. Never before has ho succeeded in piloting it so far, and it is noteworthy that in spite of the opposition of tho Premier _ the third reading was carried ; but Sir .William Steward’s trouble is just about to begin. Ho is finding great difficulty m getting anyone in the Uppor House to tako charge of his Bill in the Uppor Houso, wlioro members regard |'the woman clause” as an attempt to ridicule them in tho ©yes of tho country. All the same there can he no doubt that tho Lower House has put tho Bill through as a protest against tho present unpopular system of a nominated Houso, and the calibre, or rather tho want of calibro, of many of the nominees pf the Liberal Adminstratiou. Sir William Steward. I understand, is hoping that Mr. McGowan may bo induced to take up his Bill; but on tho other hand ono of tho “Lords” informs mo that. Mr. Wigram woidd not touch it with a forty-foot polo. Perhaps a now mail in tho Upper House may be induced to take it up. If not it will bo in the peculiar position occupied by Mahoment’s coffin, and a. search party from the Lower Houso will have to bo sent in quest of the 1 Bill. Apropos: Years ago wlion tho late Sir John Hall was struggling to pass liis Women’s Franchise Bill Mr. ■ Carncross carried a clause to t-lie effect 1 that women should bo eligiblo for election to the Lower House. He did - this with the avowed object of killing the Bill, and ill spite of a waral mg from Sir John to his followers i to bewaro of the gifts of the Greeks i the clause was carried. Next morn- > ing the mover of t'lio clause was i “famous,” for tho “Carncross clause had boon telegraphed all over New ■ Zealand.