PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 87, 21 July 1910, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House met at 2.30. ORDER OF BUSINESS. The Premier said he proposed to ask the House to commence the financial debate on Tuesday next, and to discuss motions relating to bookmakers and the totalisator to-morrow (Thursday). Regarding B1 return, if it were possible, it would be laid upon the table before the commencement of the financial debate. Considerable discussion arose as to the proper time for placing the B1 return ok the table.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, the Ministers stated that the Government was considering what action it intends taking in regard to the recommendations of the Timber Commission, and that an amending Bill would be brought down this session, which will contain provision for the settlement of industrial disputes arrived at in the Conciliation Court being embodied in an award without lurther delay, and that amendments of the law relating to patents is now under consideration.

The remainder of the aiternoon sitting was devoted to discussion of answers to questions. lIALMIOLIDAY FOR MINERS.

In the House in the evening, Mr. Laurenson moved the second reading of the Haalf-Holiday for Miners in Gold ami Coal Mines Bill, which was supported by Messrs. Ell, R. McKenzie, Poland and Colvin.

The second reading was earned, and the Bill referred to the Goldflelds and Mines Committee. REFORM OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Mr. Russell moved the second reading of the Legislative Council (Reform tiill. lie favored the bi-eameral system of .legislation. It was necessary to have a brake on hurriod legislation. The Upper Chamber might be very useful as a revising chamber. He hoped his Bill I would be the means of ascertainmg the opinion of the House, and' probably devising a scheme for improvement in the mode of appointing members to the! Upper House. Most of the British colonies had effective upper chambers. Mr. Russell traced the history of the Legislative Council, showing the anomalous state of affairs frequently created by the nominative system, m the event of a new Party coming into power, there should be no possibility of a majority in the Upper House being out of sympathy with that Party's policy. The Bill proposed that electorates should be divided into groups of four, each group to return two members at the general election following the passing of the Act, one member to retire at next election.

The second reading was supported by Mr. Anderson, who suggested' proportional representation should be embodied in, the Bill. Mr. Hanan said the legislative chamber had now considerably higher status than formerly, and had shown a progressive spirit. The Upper House should be reformed so as to become a revisory body solely. It was not desirable to have the party system in both Houses. Sooner or later the reform of the Upper House would have to be undertaken.