PARLIAMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 622, 26 November 1913, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

A BUSY SITTING. ESTIMATES INTRODUCED. PREFERENTIAL VOTING. ( [IV TKl.r.OKAt'it. IT.' -S ASSOCIATION.] Wflli!'i;ion. Tuesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Sir Joseph Ward Mr Massey said he coeid not; say whether the House would udjourn in order to enable members to visit/the Auckland Exhitdton opening. The Premier said arr:;fg--'nients were being made to enable members who desired to do so to visit the Exhibition, but if the House adjourned it would only be for one day. The Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill, introduced by Governor's mrssage, was read a first time. Regarding the West Coast Settlement Reserves Bill, introduced by Govenor'a message Mr Ell protested against the introduction of a highly contentious Bill at this stage of the session. The Hon. Mr Herries denied there was anything contentious in the Bill. Its provisions were agreed upon by the parties concerned The Eill only referred to 1881 leases, and must be dealt with this Bession. It was proposed to estimate, tha lessees for ten years. After that the land goes back to tee natives. T 7 e proposed to refer the Bill to the Native Affairs Committee. He waß certain that the Committee would not allow an improper measure to go through. The Bill was read a first time and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The Public Revenue 1 Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's message. The Hon. Mr Allen explained that it provided, amongßt other things, power to issue Treasury Bills in London, in anticipation of a loan. Sir Joseph Ward said the question was of so much importance that it ought to have been referred to the Public Accounts Committe. The Hon. MrAllen, in reply, said there was nothing particularly new in the Bill allowing the Premier to issue Treasury hills in London. AH that was wanted was authority to delegate this pow.:r to the High Commisioner. He was prepared to refer the Bill to the Public Accounts Committee. The Bill was read a first time and referred to the Public Accounts Committee to report within one week. The Public Works Estimates were brought down by Governor's message and the Public Works Statement laid on the table by the Minister of Public Works. On the orders for the day being called on Sir Joseph Ward moved that the Legi?lative Amendment Bill be recommitted for the purpose of inserting a clause providing for preferential voting. STONEWALL ENDED. SECOND BALLOT REPEALED. Wellington, This Day. After the telegrnnh office closed at 2 a.m., the Hon. Mr Fisher, in his reply, declared that obstruction that had been taking place on the Bill because it was likely to destroy an unholy alliance which existed between two minorities in the politics of the country. S'v Joseph Waid denied that; there was any alliance between bin end any other parry°in the country. , Continuing. Mr Fisher said the Opposition had endeavoured to hara?s the Government inside the House while they were fac» io face with a groat industrial struggle outjide. and it was about time the Leader of the Onportion declared which side he was on. Whether hs was oil the side of law and order, or on the side of anarchy. At the conclusion of the Ministers speech Sir Josepn Ward emphatically denied there was any compact between the Liberals and Labour party. The statement was a most unfair one. lie al?o staved {hat {lie Opposition had purposely refrained from referring to the strike in the House, but he would 'take an early opportunity of doing so in a constitutional way. The division was then taken on the third reading, when the LHS warcarried by 33 votes to l!h and the House rose at 3.3d a.m.