HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8407, 8 November 1912, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WELLINGTON, November 7. After sitting all night, and spending tho latter hours over the State Advances question, the House adjourned for breakfast and resumed at 9.30 a.m.

The Monopolies Prevention Amendment, Fisheries Amendment, Harbour Amendment, and Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bills were put through all stages and passed without amendment. The Country Telephones Bill, enabling County Councils to erect and maintain telephones by means of a special loan, was put through all its stages. The Supplementary Estimates.

The House then went into committee on ' the Suplementary Estimates. On the -Supreme 'Court vote, fthe Minister for Justice, in reply to Sir J. G. Ward said that lawyers who desired to be appointed King's Counsel had to apply, and if suitable, they were appointed. :. Sir Joseph Ward said this was the first he had heard about application being necessary. _ Mr Davsy said it was strange that there were seven King's Counsel in Wellington, and only one in Christchurch.

On the< Miscellaneous vote, Mr Laurenson ; expressed appreciation of the grant \of an. annuity of £150 to Lady Steward. On the Defence vote, Mr Escott asked the Minister not to exceed the estimate. He ithought the Defence scheme was costing the country more than it ought to. It would have been cheaper to follow out the Australian scheme. Mr Allen, said the Australian scheme was costing more than Lord Kitchener's ■estimate. The cost of equipment was very heavy this year. On the Land and Survey Department. vote, Mr Buchanan said he considered the valuers' salaries inadequate.

The Premier said he was trying to get the best men available, and would provide adequate salaries. The whole of the Estimates were passed unaltered.

Washing Up Bill., ' The House disagreed with the Council's amendment in the Washing Up Bill, on the ground that the new clause was foreign to the Bill, and a committee was appointed to draw up reasons, and the House adjourned.

The Last Act. The House resumed at 7.0, and the Appropriation Bill was passed.

Bill Reserved. The Shipping and Seamen's Amendment, Bill was reported by the Speaker as being reserved for the Royal Assent. . The House finally adjourned just before midnight.