PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 236, 17 October 1901, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

FEB PBfflS ABSOOIATIOH. .LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wkdhesday, 16th October. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Shops and Shop Assistants Act • Bill was committed, a new proposing to establish a chemists iota of hoars of attendance being negatived. The Bill was then put through Its final s tagas. 1 The 'Babbit Nuisance Act Amendment Bill and Miners Bights Fee Reduction Bill were passed through committee without amendment, read a third time and passed. The Council rose at 3.50 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. After the Telegraph Office closed on Tuesday night the total vets for the Department of Agriculture was passed imiltered. . On the vote for the Defence Department, £213,250, Mr. Meredith moved that the first item be reduced by £5 as an indication tD the Government to take back the defence estimates and reduce them by j £50,000. He objected to building up a standing army and festering a spirit of militarism and Imperial jingoism. The Premier pointed out tha*:tbe volunteers had increised from 4000 to 18,000, which went largely to increase ■ the captation. _ After lengthy discussion, Mr. Meredith's motion was negatived by 31 to 8. Several other reductions in the vote were proposed, bat all rejected by large majorities. After the vote for permanent militia "and volunteers had been passed unaltered the House at 8.30 a.m. adjourned for breakfast, WIDHEDAT, 16TH OctOBKB. The House resumed at 9 30 a.m. Dafence estimates.—On the vote for South African Contingents £30,000, . _Mr Allen referred to the Tagus incident, and complained that the fact of .the men being taken to the Bluff and ' subjected to cold weather had caused a fresh outbreak of sickness amongst them. Mr Seddon read letters signed'by a large number of the officers and men who stated that the reflections cast on the Premier over the matter were unjust, and that the visit to the South j had nothing to do with the increased sickness. 1 The discamion on theTagns incident ■ listed until the luncheon adjournment. * "Die House resumed at 2.30. _ The vote forth* South African Contingents was immediately 9greed to on. the voices. Miscellaneous services £44,088. Mr Hogg inquired whether it was , definitely decided to hold the annual Bifle Association meeting at Trentham aqct February. He pointed ont it w New Zealand's tarn next year for the Federal trams, in which teams from the Australian States would compete, and that it would bt> necessary to make early arrangements. He also inuved whether the Defence DepartHant would ran the meeting, or the ' NJRJlifle Association. Mr Massey asked for imformation as to the item " allowance to relative* of deceased members of New Zealand Contingents, £SOO. Mr Seddon said he intended to exercise discretion as to claims; He had already dealt with- some necessary eases. The £SOO was for contingencies. I In reply to Mr Hogg, Mr Seddon said it was intended to have the future shooting gatherings held nnder the direct supervision of the Defence Department. He promisiKl the programme should be atCSuaed to as soon as possible. Mr Pirani asked for details the item "allowances for extra services connected with despatching of contingents to South Africa, £800." Mr Saddon declined to publish names and details, but offered to give thf amounts. Several members protested against the refusal of details, aod a long discussion ensued. Mr. Atkinson moved the reduction of the item by £5, but this was lost by I 23 to 20, and the item pasted. On the item £l6O for passages of armourer sergeants from England, Mr. F»sber asked why the Government imported armouiers when there Were men available in the cjlooy. Mr. Seddon said that the compact having been entered inti he comld not consider tbe grievances of men who thought they were being overlooked. Mr. Monk asked for general details as to tbe £IOOO expenses of visits of Imperial and Indian troops. . Mr. S;ddon Raid he could not Wve the details. Toe £IOOO was a fair allocation for the Defence Department, as apart from the £ISOO charged in the Colonial Secretary's Department. Some discussion took pl-ce with Mgard to the item " purchase of piano for Fifth Contingent." Mr. Saddon said he cens'dered the equipment of the contingent was not complete without a piaco. The motion to strike on v > the item was lost on the voices. The vote for miscellaneous services was then agreed to, and tbe total v->te for the Defence Department £287,434 passed on the voices. The House rost at 5.15 p.m.