PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2238, 9 July 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AFTERNOON SITTING. [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 8. Tlie Council met at 2.30. Tlio Inferior Courts Procedure, Declaratory Judgments., Corporations Contracts, Law Practitioners. Amendment, Judiciary Acts Interpretation Amendment, Town Boards Amendment Bills were introduced by tlio At-torney-General and read a first time. Hons. Carncross, Reeves. Rigg, and Thompson were nominated for tho position of Chairman of Committees. Mr, Reeves was declared elected. Hon. S. T. George resumed tho dcbato <ni the Addross-in-Reply. He thought tho Arbitration Act should bo hung up for a year, and if then wo had no industrial peace ail amending Act could be introduced. As to new Parliamentary buildings, lie thought they should be erected inland away from enemies’ cruisers, and ho suggested Wairarapa as suitable. Tho Council adjourned at 5.25 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON BITTING. Tlio House met at 2.30 p.m. The Hours of Underground Work Bill, the Friendly and other Societies Amendment Bill,' the Representation of People Bill Amendment wero introduced. Mr. Massey asked whether tlio Government would give the House an amendment of tlio Electoral Act in the direction of ensuring greater secrecy. Tlio Prime Minister, replying, said it was doubtful whether the matter could bo dealt with this session, He had heard no complaints of want of secrecy.

Ministers, replying to questions, said it was not intended to introduce legislation enabling a. colonial vote with a bare majority to he taken on tho licensing question, and that the printing of tho main electoral rolls at the Government printing office was in accordance with tho Act. and of great advantage to the Electoral Department. There would he no increase of graduated income tax. The output of gold and silver in tho Dominion should lie considerably increased before nroceeding to establish a. branch of the Royal Mint. The Government did not projio.se to employ canvassers to enrol electors'. The cost would lie between £7OOO and £BOOO. A Bill- dealing with some pressing amendments to the Municipal Corporations Act will probably bo introduced. The Government could not agree to reduce freights on firewood by rail. Excursion railway fares could not bo extended to country peojilo on market- days. It was intended to amend tho Habitual Drunkards Act to allow a magistrate to grant probation if ho deemed ifc would iio necessary. Tho Government had not tilrived at any decision to take over tlio tourist traffic 0)1 the. Wanganui river. The whole question of patentlaw was receiving attention. The Government had no present intention to increase the duty ,on Oregon pine timber. It had also no intention to amend the Land Ant this session, lliq Government did not consider it desirable to discontinue- the- branding of boxes of butter after grading and leaving Home buyers to purchase produce on its merits. The Government would consider the suggestions for placing rifle clubs on a better footing. The Government hojied to submit proposals this-session dealing with uniform school books' for the Dominjoii: It. was intended to amend tho Shipping and Seamen’s Act'sO'as to exempt fishing vessels of small tonnage from carrying a certificated engineer.' The medical inspection of schools was under consideration.. The House rose at 5.30 ptm. EVENING SITTING. 'Hie House met at 7.30 p.m. The Loan Bill was introduced for £1,250,000'. The second reading is set down for next day. Tho second reading of the Musicians Bill was agreed to, aud referred to the Education Department. The second reading of the Municipal Corporations Aft Amendment Bill providing that flits construction of footways, kerbing. and channelling be charged on the frontage', was rejected by 36 to 20. - On. the motion for the third reading of the Meikle Acquittal Bill, Mr. Hornsby entered' a protest- against tlie measure. He declared that a number of members had received communications 'to-day that the ,amount of compensat ion' demanded 'would tie £2IQR- ' ' • • - ’ b A number of members-strongly opposed the Bill.