PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1915, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

JJCCHS'LATIYii COUNCIL. FORMAL business. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington. Last Xight. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. ' The Hon. (Y.-'ncross presentee! tlie report of the committee appointed to consider the 'proposed amendments to the .standing orders relating to the election of Speaker and Chairman of Committees. The report whs ordered to lie on t!ie tab! \ Sir '.Francis Hell mnvw f.hr.t, subject to tlie provisions of standing order Xo. 2GB, the Hon. Carncvoss should eonthuito ,bi! chairman of committees of the council during tlie present session until the council gives further direction for ?.n election to tlie office of chairman. The. motion was carried.

iSir Francis Bell moved that, pursuant to standing order No. 34. the council appoint Wednesday, July 7, fis the day whereon a call of the council shall -tie made and the election of the Speaker of the Council proceeded with. The motion was carried.

The Hon. Maginnity asked whether the' Government will introduce legislation to extend the discretionary' power* granted a. ''.Minister by section 42 of the Gaining Act. l!!OS, to enable patriotic committ'es to dispose by art union or lottery of gifts which have been or may be donated to aid funds being raised for patriotic purposes. In reply, Sir Francis Bell said the Government did promise to deal with that matter, but he thought it would be still n "ce.s.-aiy to secure that such lotteries were being undertaken purely and exclusively for patriotic purposes. The Hon. Carson gave notice to move at next sitting the customary Addi'ess-in-Pveply to the Governor's S'lieoch. Leave of aWnce was granted to the lions. Xikora. Simpson and. Morgan for one month. The Council adjourned at 2.5 ft p.m. till 2,:i!i p.m. to-morrow. THE r;f.YEßX>.\j|.;\-T ('.UTTS. Wellington. Last Night. The Government caucus concluded its sitting at 4.30 'p.m. Mr. Guthrie, the ehi.-f whip, afterwards stated that the caucus was one of the best ever held in the history of the Kcfo'in Party, 3ft members being present. Mr. lline' was the -only absentee, and hj? is paired, during his absence. The caucus dealt with very important matters, and displayed a deep interest anil splendid unanimity in support of questions of great concern to the Empire.