PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 208, 18 September 1903, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. o LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, September 17, !i The Council met at 2.30 p.m. . j The second reading of the City Single \ Electorates Bill was carried after a brief diecuesion. The Police Offences Amendment Bill was further causUered in committee. Clause 6 " Biding etc. on footpaths" was modified by the elimination of the words "or propels" in connection with bicycles. A proviso was added throwing the onus of proving non-obstruction or danger to pedestrians upon the person charged with the ofl'enca. The Attorney-General moved a new clause imposing a penalty of £5 for removing sand and other material from any foreshore. Progress was reported, ■ and the Council adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ~ One weeks leave of absence was granted to Mr Rutherford on urgenS private business. The Land Act Amendment Bill and Land Bill were read a first time. Mr Seddon gave notice to move that for the remainder of the session, the j 'House shall go into Committee of sup- : ply for consideration of estimates without preliminary debate on Friday's, instead of Tuesday's, as at present. He also'gave notice to move that on Wednesdays Ministers shall give written replies to questions on the order paper, and that after such replies, the adjournment of the House can be moved in the usual way. Mr Seddon moved that in future the usual half hours supper adjournment be taken at 9.30. This was carried by 42 to 24. Mr Seddon mov«d that for the remainder of the session the Housj meet iat 7.80 on Mondays, This was agreed itq. I Mr Seddon said tint the Banking j Bill, and Australasian Squadron Bill' ! would be brought down at the proper 1 time,

Mr Taylor inquired whether it was true that Captain Fisher of Christchurch, had been ordered to consider himself under military arrest on tha ground that he had written to the Ohrigtchurcb newspapers regarding the disposal of the Patriotic funds. I Mr Seddon said he had no informa- | tioD, and advised Mr Taylor to put the question on the Order Paper. I The House went into Committee for consideration of the report of the Standing Orders Committee. I Mr Seddon intimated he did np,fc pro- ' pose to procead with the new standing | order proving for the "closure." An amendment moved by Mr I Steward that the standing order prej venting fresh business being called on after midnight, shall not apply to (private members, wag lost on the j voices, ! A proposal made by Mr R, MoKenme to do away with the 12 o'clock limit so that fresh business could be brought on at any hour was carried by 34 to 33. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. Evening Sitting. The House resumed at 7.30. p.m. The consideration of Standing Orders was resumed.

Mr J;is, Allen moved that the House rise at 1 a.m., if then sitting, but subsequently held over the motioD. Mr Massey moved that no new business be taken after 12.15 a.m. Mr T. Mackenzie moved to pr.-gress, so as to postpone any alteration in standing oidera till next sea-ion, After a lengthy discussion, Mr McKenzie's motion was lost by 45 to 22. After further discussion Mr Massey's motion was lost by 44 to 24. Mr Saddon thsn moved that the limit be 12.30 a.m., and this was carried by 38 to 31. Mr Saddon said if the extenrion was being abused he would be the first man next session to propose that the House go back to the 12 o'clock limit;. A motion by Mr Graham to stiike out the whole of t*he new proposed standing order, was rejeoted by 35 to 34, and the limit for new business therefore stands at 12.30. (Left Sitting.)