PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 222, 26 September 1901, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

Legislative Council-

[By Telegraph —Press Association.] "Wellington, last night. The Council met at 'A.'SO. The Law Amendment Bill has passec through Committee. EVENING SITTING. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. The Counties Act Amendment Bill, Statutes Compilation Bill, and Shop and Shop Assistants Act Amendment Bill have been read a second time. The Youths Cigarette Smoking Bill was amended in Committee by the excision of the clause providing for whipping for a third offence. The word “■ cigarette ” was struck out of the title of the Bill, which now stands as the Smoking by Youths’ Prohibition Bill. House of RepresentativesThe House met at t!.30 p.m. Further leave of absence for a fortnight has been granted to Sir Maurice O'Korke on account of illness. Mr Liiwry intercepted Supply with a motion that next session of Parliament be held at Auckland. , Sir Joseph Ward suggested that as the hon. member had expressed his views on the subject the House should immediately | divide on the motion, and proceed with j the Estimates. Mr Hutcheson and others expressed the opinion that this was merely a bogus amendment arranged for strategic purposes.

The motion was negatived by Hi to 28, ami the House went into Committee ol •Supply for the further consideration ol the Estimates. The first vote taken was that of the office of industries and Commerce. Mr (i.'W. Smith said that this department could _be made very useful and effective, but unfortunately it seemed to be asleep, lie hoped that this department would justify its existence this year. Otherwise tiie House should consider the advisability of shutting it up altogether. Sir Joseph Ward admitted that the department had not heen very active, hut it now being reorganised, and lie had every reason to hope that there would he no cause for complaint in the future. It was not to be used as a trading or competitive department, but laid been started to assist producers and all classes in opening up fresh markets and so forth. After considerable discussion, the vote was passed, unaltered. On the vote tor the Tourist Department, •Sir Joseph Ward said the Government was making efforts to secure a thoroughly experienced man to take charge of the thermal districts* Tile House roso at li.oU p.m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.J0. The vote for the Tourist and Health Department was passed unaltered. On the vote for miscellaneous services Mr Hutcheson moved that the item ‘•Copies of iieview of lieviews for Australia fur January, 1901, IHtiU,” be struck out. Mr Scddon said the article was written by the Uev. Mr Derry, and ho considered tiie advertisement the colony obtained was well worth the money. Mr Fisher strongly resented the payment of this money to Mr Stead, who, he said, was atraitor to the British Empire. Mr Scddon said that Mr Stead had nothing to do witli the Australian edition of the lieview of lieviews. A long discussion ensued.