GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 364, 8 November 1898, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SATURDAY. Thk Couucil met at 2.30 p.m. CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION. It was decided by 12 to 6 to insist on the retention of clause 4 in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill, which was struck out by the Lower House, and which provided that the Court shall not have power to direct that unionists shall have preference of employment or to limit term of apprenticeship. BILLS PASSED. The Public Revenue Account Amendment passed through the final stages without debate. The Reserves Endowments and Crown and Native Lauds Exchange Disposal and Enabling Bill was read a third time aud passed. The Appropriation Bill passed and the Couucil finally adjourned at midnight. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. SATURDAY. supply. The House went into' Committee of Supply for the consideration of the Supplementary Estimates. Class 2, Colonial Secretary's Office, £4116, item £SO, expenses connected with the residency at Rarotonga ; Mr Piraui moved to reduce the amount by £l3. Lost by 40 to 8. On Class 10, insptction of vineyards and treatment and eradication of phylloxera, £BOO ; Mr Pirani asked whether any portion of the amount was intended to be devoted to the compensation of unfortunate persons who had suffered by the destruction of their vineyards. The Minister of Agriculture replied in the negative, and that the vote was for the purpose of inspection and eradication of diseases in vineyards and orchards. The Supplementary Estimates pasaed •without alteration. CONCILIATION Ai>D ARBITRATION. As the result of a second conference with the managers from the Legislative Council, an agreement was arrived at on the amendments in the Conciliation and Arbitration Bill, by which that portion of clause 4 stating that unionists shall not have preference was struck out, aud the Bill then finally passed. CLOSING SCENES. It was nearly midnight when the Appropriation Bill was brought down, and consequently the usual debate in review of the session's work could not take place. Capt. Russell said he would take care during the recess to let the country know the sins of the Government. Mr Seddon said that, so far from the session having been a barren one, it had been one of the most memorable in the history of the colony, and many measures of vital importance to the people of the colony had been placed on the Statute Book. He expressed great pleasure at passing the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, by which the awards of the Arbitratiou Court could now be enforced. The Appropriation Bill then passed its final stages. It was 1.5 a m. before the Bill was signed by the Governor, and the House rose and the session ended.