GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10384, 29 June 1899, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(PRESS ASSOCLATtOX ZSX-SCBA-I.) \ - ' ' Wj-DSesday, Jpsb 28. J, LEGISLATJivE COUNCIL. The Council met r* 2.30 p.n_. The -debate on the Addretsg-in-Reply was continued by Mr LEE SMITH, who __-; pressed gratification, at the continued prosperity oi" the colony, and deprecated Ministers being" condemned in connection with the Ma-rine**-Scandal until all the facts were made public. He defended the working of the Advances .to SefctJcrs and Lands for Settlement Acts, and thought the old age pension scheme- was on the whole satisfactory. He felt that it would bo necessary to borrow in order to develop the resources of the colony. Mr HcCULLOUGH said the dissfenwon regarding the rival routes for the trunk line had been mitigated in the North, where people felt that under the circum_*tances ttoe central route should be proceeded with.: He thought it absurd that the people of the colony should overtax: themselves in order to construct main lines out of surplus. It could not* be done, and borrowing would have to ensue. . ■ Mr RIGG defended the Arbitration and Cone-l-ataon .Act from -the attacks made upon it, contending that it was favoured by many of the largest employers. He thought the "Conc-liatrion Boards . should be swept away, and a "conciliator" appointed for tbe whole colony, who would sit with specially elected assessors. He also advocated the appointment of the Supreme Court Judge as President of the Arbitration Court. After Mr JKNKINSON had thanked the members who yesterday defended the railway servants, the Address was agreed to. The Council adjourned at 4.10 p.m.