PARLIAMENT HOUSE FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2065, 17 December 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENT HOUSE FIRE.

STATEAIENT BY THE PREJIIER. NEXT SESSION TO BE HELD IN TEAIPORARY PREAIISES. Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. IG. Cabinet held a long meeting to-day to discuss the situation which has arisen in consequence of the destruction of Parliamentary Buildings by fire. . The Premier states that next session .of Parliament will bo lief.d in temporary premises, to be provided on tho site of the old Details of the scheme have not yet been decided on. Arrangements will be completed by tho time the session is due to commence. “AYe will go about the whole matter of re-building very carefully,” Sir Joseph continued. “There will bo no attempt to provide a palatial structure. AA itliout in any wav being extravagant it ivill be necessary to rebuild in a substantial maimer. I think the matter one of sufficient importance to consult Parliament about when next we meet. There is no occasion to call members together at tins any circumstances it it were aecided to rebuild, the work could not he- completed under 18 months. The necessary appropriation would require to he made. AA T e can easily provide temporary .premises, where the accommodation wifi' be of a reasonable kind.” -'') Asked if the session would be a short, one, Sir Joseph said it wouild not have been as long as the last even if the building had not been destroyed. His impression was that Parlia- , ment would sit for about- tlio usual time in the case of a session preceding a general elect ion.