PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 202, 11 September 1903, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

PKtt PEKSS>SBOOXITIOH. J LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ThUIMDAY, SeI'TBMBKB 10. Tho OouEcil me* at 2.30 p.m. Ihe Attorney-General, in reply to a question, said it wss not proposed to scop tho impDrtation of certificated lonodust that bad been steamed if dhown to be duly treated. The bonedust recently arriving from India consisted of 10,000 bags unsteamed and 10,740 steamed. The unsteamed w*i being treated under supervision. The Council decided not to insist on its amendment in the Wireless Telegraphy Bill, The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the State Fire Insurnce Bill, and if ter some discussion the debate was adjourned. The Inspection of Machinery Bill was read a third time and pasted. The Council rose at 5 p.m. BOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. / Thursday, Septbmbib 10. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Maori Council's Amendment Bill (Carroll) and Local Bodies Contracting Powers Bill (Field) wen read a first time. In reply to questions Ministers stated that there was no intention on the put of the Government to interfere with existing secular and compulsory system of eduoation; that the Referendum Bill would be proceeded with thit session ; that Mr Seddon never told the Taranaki deputation last Saturday that the average monthly expenditure on. publio works was £440,000, but £140,000; that one of the Ohristehureh bakers mentioned during the previou* day's discussion on the Association had absolutely denied that any influence had been brought to bear on him in regard to the sale of bread ; that it was impossible fjr the Government to give another day for privtata member's bills; that it would depend on the progress made by Government business whether the Government would give facilities for passing Mr Kirkbride's Mutual Fire Insurance Bill which the Government thought should go on the Statute Book. Among the questions on the Order Paper was the following by Mr Taylor: —Whether the Lyttelton Timet is justified in stating that the Government's new proposals for secondary eduoation will enable Christ's College, Christchurch, to receive a grant in aid amounting to £5 per pupil, and whether if suoh is thd ease the provision will not frustrate the peoples* repeatedly expressed determination that no denominational or private* schools shall receive State aid.

Mr Taylor was proceeding to explain his question when Mr Seddon ros* to a point of order that it wti breach of privilege to quote from an article, oonmentiog on confidential questions before a Soleot Committee.

At Mr Seddon's suggestion tha artiole in question was read by th« - Clerk of the House, after which lit Seddon rose and moved that the article constituted a breach of privilege. A lengthy discussion ensued, several! members complaining of the wast* of time involved. Eventually Mr Seddon'a motion wa* oarried by 46 to 10. Mr Seddon then moved that th* editor an 1 publisher of the Lyttdton Timet be asked how the information was obtained. Mr A. L. D, Prasar moved aa amendment, that a technical breach had been committed, and that the Homo expresses regret at the infringement 4 and take no further aotion. The amendment was negatived on the voices and Mr Seddona motion agreed to. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumad at 7.30. On the motion of Hon. Hall-Jones, the amendment made by the Oounoil in the Inspection of Machinery Aot Amendment Bill was agreed to by at to 19. On the motion for the third reading of the City Single Electorates Bill, Sir Joseph Ward ea»J the new clause providing that the Bill shall not interfere with existing city b uoiaries for local option purposes, r> qu red an amend* men*, which it wa* pr p s«d to hava effected when the Bill woe before tha Legislative Oounoil.

Mr Millar, speaking strongly against the Bill, contrasted the delay of the Government in dealing with licensing and other questions, and their eager* ne?s to deal with this subject that had not been before the country. How long would numbers tolerate the delay of the Govrnmmt which, apparently*. had not sufficient courage to deal with preferential trade, the land question* and other policy nutters.

After some discussion Mr Harding moved an amendment tint the Bill b* I recommitted for the purpose of reconsidering the new clause. J, 0. Thomson considered it Iras tot proper to send an imperfect Bill to the Council.

| SirJossph Ward denied there bad be>n indecent haste in pushing on thr Bill. With regard to the licensing boundaries he said it would lead to » great, deal of confusion, and a great many complications to have single) city districts for local option purpose*. (Left sitting.)