PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 518, 3 September 1902, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, last night. The Council met at 2.00 p.m. The Habeas Corpus Extension Bill was read a third time, and the Lands and Deeds Registration Districts Bill was read a second time. '} he Local Authorities Indemnity Bill passed through Committee without amendment, and was put through final stages. The Second Hand Dealers’ Bill was partly considered in Committee, progress being reported. The Council rose at 4.45. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Tho House met at 2.00 p m. The Oamaru Endowment, Lands Resumption for Mining, and Savings Bank Profits Amendment Bill were read the first time, and the Habeas Corpus Exten- . sion Bill was read the first time. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. Tho Houso resumed at 7.30. The Government Railways Superannuation Bund Bill was committed, reported amendments, read a third time, and passed. Mr McGowan moved tho adoption of tho amendments made in committee in tho Stato Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill. Tho discussion was proceeding at tho adjournment. At the supper adjournment Sir Josoph Ward, in reply to Mr J. Allen, made a statement with regard to tho Pacific Cabin construction. lie said that tho colony had to bear one-ninth of the cost of construction and one-ninth in tho shapo of deficiency of revenue, which necessarily must occur until tho Pacific cablo was completed and in working order. Wo would receive one-ninth of any profits if profits wero tuado aftor tho cable was completed, and bear ono ninth of tho losses if losses wore tuado. Ho proposed to ask the House this session to mako provision on tho Estimates for this oneninth, and also to ask tho Legislature to givo the colony power to take a share in bifurcating tho Pacific Cable from Ran- -» ning Island to Honolulu. By doing this, thero would bo an alternative route to ’Frisco as against the long-length Pacific cable from Fanning Island to Vancouver. By doing this, we would mako a wise provision against a breakdown on tho long Pacific section. As regards our ononinth expenditure, which was estimated at .0200,000, it would bo about .£20,000, and it would be an excollont thing lor tho colony. Ho felt sure that his proposal would ho distinctly beneficial to tho colony, and he felt suro that it would -bo approved by the Houso.