PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 171, 31 July 1901, Page 1

PARLIAMENTARY.

House of Representatives

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, last night. The House met at 10.80 a.m. The following Bills were read a first time :—Promissory Oaths (Mr McGowan), Criminal Code Act Amendment (Mr Seddon), Trading Stamps Abolition and Discount Stamps Issue Amendment (Mr Seddon). In reply to questions, Ministers stated that the Government would consider whether they could put the Paeroa-VVaihi railway- in hand at the Waihi end, so as to provide work for Waihi miners who har e lost their employ-ment. That the Government would consider the advisability of obtaining three steamers of about 10,000 tons burden to develop the

passenger trade between New Zealand and Australia.

That the question of promoting an Imperial trade Zollverein was hedged round with difficulties, but it was hoped the matter would be kept in view. That it was not considered advisable to have rifle clubs in towns alongside volunteers. That the Government intended to set up a Commission to completo the work of consolidating tho statutes of the colony-, which had been started by Mr Jolliffe, and it was hoped next session to bring down a Bill to give effect to the consolidation. That property had been purchased in Otago for the establishment of an inebriates’ home, and an institution would shortly- bo opened—if necessary, a similarinstitution would be established in tho North Island.

That the regulation under which members of the public service are not allowed to hold seats on public bodies was gazetted as far back as 1878. That it was not intended to ask for an appropriation this year for the payment of capitation at the rato of £8 10s per annum to garrison artillery and submarine miners—the Defence Estimates wore already so high that if there was any furtherincrease Parliament might curtail them. That tho services of Captain Moore, a Garrison Artillery Officer, had been obtained, and ho was just leaving London. That tho Government did not intend to ask ior a vote to compensate Now Zealand troopers for the loss of their horses in the South African campaign, but would favorably consider deserving cases. That tho Government was afraid tho promise to reduce the mortgage tax could not be fulfilled unless Another turn of the screw was made in regard to tho graduated land tax.

That tho Government hoped negotiations with the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company under the new proposal for taking over the line would be successful, but that the Government would not pay anything like what the companyasked.

That there was no intention of holding two sessions next year ; tho matter of the representation of the colony at the King’s coronation would be placed fully beforo The llouso, when tho whole question could be dealt with. That Government considered an amending licensing Bill was necessai-y this session to prevent oxisting licenses being dropped and new license applied for at another place in the same district, and also to give Magistrates discretionary powers in regard to the endorsement of licenses. There had been an evasion of the law in regard to the former, and Mr Seddon said that he thought tho Houso would have a licensing Bill this session, and if members were moderate they might get something done.

That Government would introduce a Bill to amend tho law relating to distress for rent,

That Government had no intention of giving monetary assistance to returned troopers who desired to visit Great Britain. The House rose at 1 o’clock, ' AFTERNOON SITTING.

The House resumed at 2.80 p.m. Consideration of local Bills took up the whole afternoon.

EVENING SITTING. Tho House resumed at 7.30. The Patea Harbor Bill was read a second time.

The debate on tho second roading of the Dunedin City and Suburban Tramways Act, 1900, Amendment Bill was interrupted by the 10.30 adjournment, and the House then rose.

Legislative Council.

The Council met at 2.30. The debato on the second reading of the Referendum Bill occupied tho afternoon, aud was adjourned. Mr Arkwright moved a hostile amendment that the Bill bo road a second timo six months hence.

Several Councillors spoke against the Bill, and no one supported it.