PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2233, 3 July 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AFTERNOON SITTING. [Pitnss Association.] WELLINGTON, July 2. Tim Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.lii. Hon. J. It. Sinclair resumed the debate on tho Address-in-Roply. Ho deplored tho attitude of the workers in flouting tho Arbitration Act and Courts, ns their welfare was hound up in the success of tho industries. Jlon. W. W. McArdle congratulated tho Government on their Land Rills of last session, which must, make for tho progress of the Dominion. Hon. J. R. Callau also spoke, and the Council adjourned at 3.b0 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON SUITING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Alter the usual formal business Sir Joseph Ward explained what was bein"- done concerning tho new Parliamentary Building. The Government had a sketch plan made for the new buildings on the old site and lor one on the Government House site. There was not sufficient time to erect teniporarv buildings on the old site, and as the buildings in Wellington were unsuitable, he was confident tlio Government had done the best under the circumstances. To complete the building of Government House would cost £IBO.OOO, but lor half that sum and using the present buildings' they could make satisfactory arrangements for at least six or eight years, but after that the old wooden buildings ill which they were at present sitting would be exhausted, either l*v dry rot or borer. It would cost Jor buildings on tho old site £115,000. If they sold the site where the Government offices stood they could obtain £26,000, but he was opposed to the sale, as they never knew wlmt would he the requirements of the Government. ill the future. The cost of a new Government House would be £25.000, but this could be covered by tile sale of the Ministerial resiliences in the city for £32,790. Ho intended to ask that a select committee from both sides be appointed to consider the whole question. To erect half the buildings mentioned would take 18 months, and to complete the building 2J years. The Premier thought the Government, and the City Council ,in conference might agree to close a. portion of Sydney Street. This would give the Government an undivided block from Mill Street to Bowen Street. As to the. site for Government House, they must guard against inflated values. The Prime Minister explained he had no feeling in the matter, and only wanted to do what, was best, and was looking to the future.

The Marriages Validation Act was road a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The House adjourned until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.