PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 482, 23 July 1902, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Bv Telegraph—l’ress Association.

Wellington, last night. The House met at 2.30. Mr Field moved the second reading of the Wellington Harbor Board and Cor. potation Empowering Act, 1898, Amendment Bill, which provides for the rehearing of claims for compensation rnado by the former owners of the Grainger street block, takon by the Harbor Board under the Public Works Act. A long debate ensued on tho Bill, occupying tho whole afternoon until tho 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. The Shipping and Seamen Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to a select committee. The House then went into Committee i of Supply for consideration of tho Estimates. A long discussion ensued on tho first item, XTB79, for tho Legislative Council. In reply to questions, Sir Joseph Ward said that the Government had not overlooked tho question of arranging a reciprocal treaty with Australia, but was awaiting tho right timo to act. With regard to a steam servico to South Africa ho said a contract with tho Blue Star Line had not yet been signed, and ho was very doubtful whether it over would be signed. Midnight.—Discussion on the first item of tho Estimates continued for hours. Several members took exception to tho tendency to centralise control of education in tho colony, and strong objection was also raised to tho expenditure on tho permanent forces of the colony at tho expenso of the volunteers.