PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 154, 11 July 1901, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY.

Legislative Council. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] 'Wellington, last night. The lion. Mr Baillie was elected Chairman of Committees. House of Representatives The House met at 2.30 p.ni. BASK OF NEW ZEALA.NI>. Mr Seddon called attention to the. fact I that it had been stated in the public press that the Bank of New Zealand was going | to pay a dividend. He would point out j that very little had been paid off by the Bank in respect of the Assets Realisation Board, and he himself thought it would be better if those interested with the affairs of the Bank first of all paid up their debts, ' instead of paying dividends. Messrs Pi rani and James Allen pro- I tested against damaging statements of this nature being made about the Bank. Mr Seddon said that it was quite clear j that in two years or so legislation would i have to renew or extend the time and ' position in respect of the colony's guaran- j tee to the Bank. He did not think the j Bank would cost the colony a penny ; piece, but he thought it right he should j plainly state the position of affairs to j prevent any misapprehension later on. | He complimented the Bank on the success j of its business, and said that never since ; its inception was the Bank in a better | position than at the present time. Mr Seddon stated that Lord Roberts j had recommended a successor to Pole- i Ponton as commandant of the forces, and ; an announcement on the subject would be | made next day. The new commandant i would not be one of our own men. EARLY SITTINIiS. It was decided that in future, on two of I the days set apart for Government business, the House shall meet at lO.iiO a.m. | and rise at 10.110 p.m. The House rose at 5.1:10. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.110. BILL I:K.TK(TKI>. Mr Jackson Palmer moved the second reading of the'Workers’ Right of Appeal Bill, to provide for workers the right of appeal to the Supreme Court or Appeal Courf'witliout being called upon to find security for costs of such appeal. After a short debate, in which the bill was strongly objected to us an unnecessary piece of class legislation, the second reading was negatived by 29 to 20, and the bill was thus thrown out. SBCOKH IiEAIUNOS. Mr Buddo moved the second reading of the Counties Act Amendment Bill, to slightly amend the Act of 1899. The motion was agreed to on the voices. Mr Hogg moved the second reading of the Rabbit Nuisance Act Amendment Bill, which was agreed todiy 36 to 10. The Cemetery Trustees Validation Bill and Land and Live Stock Auctions Bill were read a second time. The Local Authorities Indemnity Bill passed the final stages. The Referendum Bill was read a second time on the voices. 1 Mr McGowan moved the second reading of tha Police Offences Amendment Bill, to amend the Act of 1881 in the direction of further defining an offence as to a breach of peace, and extending the j section as to idle and disorderly persons.