THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1240, 23 September 1911, Page 6

THE HOUSE.

DEBATE IN ESTIMATES RESUMED. UPPER HOUSE REFORM. AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION. Tho House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt) was granteel one day's leave of absence oil account of ill-health. ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES. Mr. MASSEY asked whether the Primo Minister had anything to toll the House with regard to tho alteration of electoral boundaries. Tho House had been given to understand that the-Commission had finished its labours last week, but, up to tho present, nothing had been heard. There was a good deal of anxiety as to what had been done, not only 011 tho part of members of Parliament, but on the part of tho general public. Tho PRIME MINISTER stated that ho had not yet received the He understood tliat it could not bo sent in until maps had been attached. Some of these maps had' to be reprinted in consequence of certain alterations, and this accounted for the delay. Later, the ■Primo Minister stated that, bavins mado inquiries, ho was informed that the report could not possibly bo made public until Monday next. Ho would lay it before tho House as soon as- it camo back from the Governor.

Mr. HERRIES suggested that as Monday was not a sitting day, tho report, if it' wero received 011 Monday, might bo printed in tho Gazette aud handed to the press. Tho Prime Minister replied that if members would not regard it as an invasion of their prior rights, ho would haud tho report to the as soon as he received it. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE REPORT. Mr. JAMES ALLEN (Bruce) asked tho Primo Minister when tho report of tho Imperial Conference laid on tho tablo some days aw, would bo printed and circulated among members. » Tho PRIME MINISTER stated that ho hoped to have the report early next week. Special instructions had been given to havo its printing expedited. Mr. I'. M.'B. FISIIER (Wellington Central) asked whether it would not bo possible in future to get numbers 01 copies of tho report of tho Impcml Conference direct from the publishers at Home. Tho report could then be- circulated much more rapidly and tho country saved a great deal of money. Tlip PRIME MINISTER replied that the course suggested Mas unusual. If such an arrangement were mado it would liavo to be reciprocal when New Zealand sent reports Home. Ho thought it best to give the work of printing thejopovt to the Government printers in New Zealand.