THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1908. PROPOSED NEW PARLIAMENTARY BUILDINGS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9106, 4 June 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1908. PROPOSED NEW PARLIAMENTARY BUILDINGS.

The Premier's "wobbling" on the question of the character and locality of the projected new Parliament Buildings. Some months ago he had made up his mind that a colossal structure should take the place uf the demolished buildings and that the proper locality would bo the site of the Governor's residence at present being metamorphosed into a temporary workshop for the manufacture of legal enactments. Now we learn that he-has an "open mind" upon both matters. It is one of those things upon which the Premier should take a distinct stand, and a stand based upon the solid necessities of the country. The Dominion dues not want a building which will meet the requirements of a century to come; neither does it want one which will be more ornate in design than any-

thing of the kind in the British Empire. An exhibition of vanity in either of these directions cannot be afforded just now, and in any case is undesirable. What ? s required 13 a solid, commodious and convenient edifice sufficient to meet requirements for, say, twenty-five years, and so designed that additions may be readily and inexpensively made when necessary. Money is too urgently needed in other directions to justify lavish expenditure upon the new Parliamentary Buildings. As to the site, it seems to us that there ought to be no two opinions about the retention of the old locality. It is a conspicuous elevation, convenient, well-drained, airy, sufficiently extensive in area for all time to come, and has still upon it intact the splendid library wing, while much of the intended additions to the destroyed buildings remain uninjured by the fire. All these considerations are in favour of the retention of the present site, and if the question, when it comes before Parliament, is not made a party one, there can be little doubt as to what the decision of members will be.