PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 153, 10 July 1901, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

Legislative Council. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Wellington, last night. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The motion congratulating the Hons. Hiller, Walker, McKenzie and Cadman upon the honors recently conferred on them was carried unanimously. The Hospital Nurses' Registration Bill was read a second time. House of Representatives The House met at -.00 p.m. The State Fire Insurance Bill was introduced by Governor's message and read a first time. Mr Seddon informed the House that it was his intention to set up a special committee of the House to go into this matter. He thought sufficient information would be obtained to warrant the House proceeding with this measure, and dealing with what appeared to him to be a serious injustice. A motion was tabled by Mr Seddon, setting out that the House meet at 11.30 a.m. on two days a week for Government business, and that on such days the House do not sit after 10.30 p.m.

The Speaker read a message from the King of England, thanking the New Zealand Parliament for its expressions of sympathy upon the death of Queen A ictoria, and acknowledging its congratulations upon his accession to the throne.

Mr Seddon said that an opportunity would be given to the House to discuss the Federation Commissioners' report. He expressed iiis belief that the report was entirely in accord with the opinion and feeling of the people of New Zealand.

The House rose at 5.30. EVENING SITTING

The House met at 7.H0 p.m. Mr Seddon moved the second rending of the Local Authorities Indemnity Bill :o indemnity various local authorities for :he expenditure of moneys in connection .vith the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. A short debate followed, in which the ipoalcers expressed appreciation of the vork of the Government in connection vith the tour, although exception was aken to some of the details. The second reading was agreed to on lie voices. Mr Scddon moved the second reading if the Referendum Bill, to provide for ertain Bills and Legislative proposals icing referred to a poll of electors of the olony. Captain Bussell opposed the Dill, on he ground that it was too Conservative n its tendencies and was a reversal of uni-t-hole principle of Government. Messrs Kll and Ilogg strongly suplorted the Referendum Bill. Mr Carneross opposed the Bill, as it nplied a direct shelving of their own reponsibility as members of Parliament. Mr G. W. Bussell thought the machicry of the Bill should only be set in peration on questions of great importnee. The debate was adjourned, and the louse rose at 11.55.