Parliamentary.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 2 October 1901, Page 3

Parliamentary.

(OUE PARLIAMENTARY EBPOETBE.)

Customs Duties. Wellington, This Day,

In the House of Representatives this afternoon, the Premier said he had an announcement to make which would be satisfactory to the House, and members would be pleased to hear the total amount of customs duties collected in the Colony for September amounted to £197,586 as against £166,487 for the corresponding month of last year, or an increase of £31,000. Monday Sittings. The Premier has gave notice to move that for the remainder of the session the House meet at 7 30 on Mondays. T. Mackenzie : “ Micht I ask when the hen gentleman anticipates the session will be brought to a close.” The Premier: “As soon as ever there is sufficient business done as in the interests of the country is demanded.” Chairman of Committees. The Council confined its attention yesterday afternoon to the question of the sessional mode of electing the Chairman of Committees. Butter and Milk. Mr. E. Gillen, member for Waikouaiti, is endeavouring to induce the Agricultural Department to appoint disinterested people to test the butterproducing quality of milk supplied to the butter factories and skimming stations. Mr. Fisher has given notice to ask the Government if days will be set apart for discussing the report of the Federation Commission and the San Francisco mad service. Licensing Matters. Reporting on a petition for enquiry into alleged non-enforcement of the licensing laws in Wellington, the Petitions’ Committee state that no evidence was disclosed of discouragement of zealous officers of the police force in the administration of the licensing laws, but they point to the urgent necessity of amending the Licensing Act by the in- ■ corporation of section 25 of the Imperial Licensing Act.

(per press association.) Egmont National Park

A Bill to extend the powers of the Egmont National Park Board was introduced by the Governor’s message and read the first time. The Estimates. The House then went into committee of Supply for further consideration of the estimates. The vote for the Justice Department was passed unaltered. Nearly four hours were spent in discussing the Prisons’ vote. Wellington Prison Complaint was made in regard to the management of the Wellington prison, and against the practice of sending young children, lunatics, and drunkards to gao!, Mr M’Gowau said the visiting justices had never complained about tbe'Wellington gaol. The vote passed unaltesed.