PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1049, 17 November 1903, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TO-DAY’S SITTING.

Per Press Association WELLINGTON, last night, Tho House met at 11.30 a.m. Hr Taylor gave notice to ask the Pro mier what steps he intends to take to have a plebiscite taken on the Bible-reading in schools question, seeing that the Legislative Council has thrown out tho Referendum Bill. .. The Kavvhia and Awakino Counties Bill (Sir J. Ward) was introduced and read a first time. Tho Petone Foreshore Vesting Bill was thrown out. Tho Now Plymouth Harbor Board Empowering Bill was withdrawn. Tho Oauiaru Harbor Board Loan Bill (Hr Duncan) was read a second time. Tho House then went into Committoo on 35 local Bills. The House met at 2.30. Tho aftornoon was occupied in consideration of local Bills. The Houso resumed at 7.30. Mr Soddon gave notice to move that a referendum of tho pcoplo bo taken on the questions whether (a) the Legislative Council remains as at present, (b) be abolishod, or (c) bo mado elective. The Preferential Trade Bill was introduced by Governor’s mossago. Several members urged that the Bill was far too important to be dealt with in the dying hours of the sossion, and should be allowed to stand over till nest year. Mr Seddon said in its proposals the Government had guarded against doing anything that might cripple our own manufactures. If we could help tho Mother Country as against thoso countries that raised barriers against her it was our duty to do so. . Mr Massey said he was quite willing that this colony should follow on the same lines a 3 Canada, but this bill meant protection first and preference afterwards, and he was quite sure it would not meet with tho approval of the country. The Bill was read a first time on tho voices, Mr Seddon stating that tho second reading debate would be taken on Wednesday. , The following Bills wore read a second time Government Railways Superannuation Fund Contributions, Law Practitioners, Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Amendment, and Public Health Amendment.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tho Council met at 2.30. The following Bills were read a second time :—Maori Councils, Paeroa Waihi Railway, School Committees’ Funds, and Patriotic Funds. The Timber Export Duty Bill and Rating on Unimproved Value Bill passed the final stages. •The Council resumed at 7.30. The Government Valuation Bill and tho Orchard and Garden Pests Bill were read p second titue.