THE HEW PARLIAMENT HOUSE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2238, 9 July 1908, Page 2

THE HEW PARLIAMENT HOUSE.

SHOULD IT BE IN WELLINGTON? TALKATIVE MEMBERS. [Special to “Times.”] WELLINGTON, July 7. A return presented to Parliament to-day alio wed that the cost of compensation for the cancellation of tlio contract for additions to tlio old Government House was (Treater than was stated in the House the otlior day, the amount being £2OO. Mr. Massey asked: — Is that for compensation only? Mr. Hall-Joncs: Yes. Mr. Lewis: How much has been paid for the work done a.s well ? Mr. Hall-Joncs: You can ask for a return.

Sir Joseph Ward gave notice to move that the Committee to consider the question of the building scheme for tlio new Houses of Parliament consist of Messrs. Barclay, Baunio, W. Fraser, Ilall-Jones, I/.ard, Massey, It. McKenzie, Sir William Steward and tlio mover. A discussion ensued in which several members rose to advocate a change of site. Mr. Wood wanted the Parliament put at Palmerston North. Mr. Laureusou suggested a sito somewhere in Marlborough, fifty- miles from Cook’s Strait.

Mr. Mills suggested Blenheim. Each suggestion was received with laughter. Mr. Laurenson said that the place that he suggested had about (300 acres of freehold land, and tliero was also about 10,000 _ acres of Government land in the vicinity. It was an ideal place for a capital. A member: Whore is it? Mr. McKenzie: Nelson. Mr. Laurenson said it was in the Marlborough nrovince. It would make a beautiful city for all time and tlio total cost would not exceed £900,000.

Mr. Aitken referred to the experience of tho Australian Commonwealth in regard to the selection of a capital and urged that Wellington should not ho departed from. Sir Joseph Ward said that the question of si to had been, settled years ago. A Royal Commission which had been appointed when tlie capital was moved from Auckland hud carefully considered tlio respective claims of Wellington and Nelson, ami had reported in favor of Wellington. Mr. 11. McKenzie: They made a mistake, though. Sir Joseph Ward said that one gentleman had made a proposal to the Government which he urged would enable them to liquidate tho whole of tho Nat ional Debt. His suggestion was to erect tlio capital in the vicinity of Rotorua, on the top of a mountain, overlooking la Ices and mountains. As to Mr. Laurenson’s suggestion, that, he presumed, was in the neighbourhood of Port Underwood. Ho thought, however, tliero was no good reason for - going away from Wellington.