Parliamentary.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 July 1901, Page 3

Parliamentary.

(Our Parliamentary Reporter.)

■Wellington, This Day. Nesting of tlia Opposition. A meeting of the Opposition was held this forenoon. The greatest secrecy prevailed, those present saying that they were strictly enjoined not to disclose anything. They say, curiously enough, that f —it had nothing to do with the proceedings of the House. A suspicion is entertained that some unexpected move is proposed at an early date.

Private Members Duty. Wellington, This Day. As a result of yesterday’s sitting of the House only two private bills were accorded a second reading, both being debated at the same length. The afternoon was occupied with the State School Children Compulsory Drill Bill,'.which Mr Guinness is introducing - for the second time,

The Government gave the Bill a cordial support, but opposition was raised by Messrs J. Hutcheson, Cam cross, Millar and others, who, while offering no objection 'to physical drill, objected to .the spirit of militarism now becoming rampant in the colony.

Graham raised the point that a scheme of this kind should come from the Defence Minister, and not bo th.ust on Boards of Education, who had not provision for the necessary ways and means. The second reading was affirmed by 35, and the committee of measure fixed for Thursday next. The Eight Hours’ Bill was the evening fare, and “ Eicketty ” Bussell explained that, if-the Premier would carry out his recess promise to Canterbury and agree to bring in a similar measure, the present bill would be abandoned. The Premier said that the Government cordially supported the bill, and, if Mr Eussell failed to get it through, they would take it up. He deprecated the issue, town v. country, being raised, Which prompted Mr Houston to suggest that the Bill should be made to apply to towns alone. The Premier tackled kindly to the suggestion. He recommended the adoption of a schedule, setting out the industries to which its provisions were to apply and the districts to which it should refer.

The country members, in the course of the discussion, fought for the exclusion of the dairy industry and other agricultural industries.

Mr Guinness urged that eight hours for underground mining work should be calculated from bank to bank instead of from face to face.

The “white slavery” that existed in respect to certain dairies was commented on by more than one speaker. At midnight the adjournment of the debate was agreed to. The Committees. Wellington, This Day.

Mr Houston has been re-elected Chairman of Native Affairs Committee; B. McKenzie of Bailways; Graham of Local Bills, and Symes A to L Petitions. Elective Executive Bill.

Friends of the Elective Executive Bill arc sanguine at being able to carry their measure through this Session, They take considerable heart and grace from the cordial support accorded the Referendum Bill.