PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2234, 4 July 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AFTERNOON SITTING. [Press Association.] ■WELLINGTON, July .3. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. Hon. J. T. Paul resumed the debate on the- Addrpssrin-Reply. He admitted that- the . Arbitration Act bad partly broken down, but; it had not failed, and.ho declared (the workers had been, more loyal to. the Act than bad the employers. Ho argued that workers’' wages had increased, but so had-the cost of living, and he quoted figures supporting his statement. .

Hoik C. M. Luke was averse to a local navy, but favored an increase of the naval subsidy. He rejoiced at the'advancement of the condition of the; workers, who should be given an opportunity fort further advancement. He hoped the Arbitration Act would be kept, and that a Jucjge of the Supreme Court would be retained as president. „ The Council adjourned at 4.40 p.m. till Wednesday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House "met -at 2.30 p.m. The Wellington Harbor Board Reclamation Bill, the Farriers’ Bill (Mr. C. E. Major), the Municipal Corporations Act 1900 "Amendment Bill, No. 2 (Mr. F. M. B. Fislier), and Hokitika Harbor Act 1905 Amendment Bill (Mr. T. Y. Seddon) were read a first time., , ’ " The usual sessional committees were sot up. ■ , . On the motion to set up 'a Public Accounts Committee, Mr. Massey thought the committee should have power to call for persons and papers. The Colonial Treasurer said he could not agree to give such powers to- tlie committee. There was no precedent for it. The Prime Minister proved the second reading of tlie'Meiklo Acquittal Bill. He reviewed tlie circumstances of the case, and thought that as an act of justice the House should pass tlie Bill. ■ Mr. Massey Supported the Bill. Mr. J. 'M. Hornsby opposed the Bill as introduced, but .if,the measure was made of a general character he ■would withdraw bis opposition. In the. meantime ho moved that the Bill be read a second time six months hence. . , Messrs Hunan,' Hornes, Lang, Barelav, and Izard supported the Bill. ' ; -i v , Messrs Remington, Ngata, Malcolm, Arnold, Ifekp, Poole, and Hogg opposed it. Some of them later explained that they were actuated by a desire lor a general Bill. The Prime Minister pointed out "that a general Bill was. out of the question. The amount of compensation suggested was £50f)(). At 5.30 p.m. the tjfo.use adjourned for dinner. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Sir Joseph Ward said ho intended to "put the Bill through. On n. division Mr. Hornsby’s amendment was rejected by 40 to .10, and after a further brief discussion the second reading, was carried bv 41 to ID, and tip; committee stage was set down for next sitting (lay. The Prime Minister moved tjio second reading of the Incorporated Societies Hill, designed to make more adequate provision for incorporated control and- dissolution of tlie isode[ies to which it related. • The second reading was carried on the" voices. " , ' On tlie Prime Minister’* motion, the second reading of tlie Soclftiy (>f Accountants Bill was agreed to. The Bill' provides for the training and examining of members of the society but placed no restrictions on nonmoinbers ,of ,tho society; apd permitted members of incorporated societies outside the Dominion to bo admitted without .examination. The second reading of the Secret Commissions Bill was, on tlie motion of the Premier, agreed to. The chief provisions aro that agents are not permitted to receive, .secret bribes from third persons, jiof are the latter permitted to give such bripes. Hon. Jas. McGowan .moved the second reading of the Coroner’s • Amendment Bill, permitting a coroner to hold ili inquest without a jury unlea it was thought ;.i jury was desirable or the;AttOrney-Geppral ordered it. After a brief discussion, the eery, id reading was carried, Tho House rest at 9.40 p.m.