THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 236, 29 June 1908, Page 8

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

' ' ■ WHERE MEMBERS SIT. the seats'thafc Miri/tOT 'anftelers 0 Sf o Su£? A°' W tofcSS"' gtXTebw f disposition of tho Chamber and Speakers chair and the Opposition on tho left Members in the first olace ? Govc " l , menfc are on tho right of the to the above), the seats they wished to occupy, but since then rari n .Rlnr i pl ? n whl £l' wa ? seut to ' them. (similar label ed yesterday. It is also probable that a fewalterationsnay be SZS Si i ho plat V s ! lows th ° as SSUS- -"« lhe Hous " . •"»

1 Mr. Alison la Mr.: Herries 2 Mr. Massey 3 ,Mr. J. Allen 4 Mr.. Lewis 5 Mr. Lang 6 Mr. Rhodes 7! "Mr. Mander 8 Mr. Reid 9 Mr. Lothbridge 10 Mr. Malcolm 11 Mr., Hardy ' 11a Mr. Bollard 12 Mr. Fraser 13 Mr. Aitken 14 Ministers 15 Ministers 16 Ministers

35 Mr. Barclay 36 Mr. Laurenson 37. Mr. Tanner 3 39 40 Mr. Major 41 Sir. Poole 42 Mr. T.. Mackenzie 43 Mr. Flatman 44 : 45 Mr. Buddo 4 47 Hon. T. Duncan 48 Mr. Graham 40 Mr. Barber 50 Hon. C. H. Mills 50a Mr. Houston 51 Mr. Dillon

17 Ministers 18 Ministers 19 Mr. Macpherson 20 Mr. Hornsby 21 Mr. A. L. Fraser 22 Mr. Rutherford ■ 23. 24 Mr. Hall ■ 25 Mr. Kidd 26 Mr. Colvin 27 Minister 28 Minister 29 Mr., Witty 30 Mr. Davey 31 Mr. Remington , 32 Mr. E. G. Allen 33 34 —

52 Mr. R. M'Kenzie 53 Mr. Seddou 54 Mr. W. T. Wood 55 Mr. Sidey 56 Dr. Chappie 56a Mr. Field 57 ' 58 59 60 . 61 ■ —... . , 62 —- 63 Sir Wm. Steward 64 Mr. Fisher 65 Mr. Ell ... . 68 ■ .. -67 ; .63

60 - 71 Mr. Izard ,72 Mr. Wilford 73 Mr. Gray f 75 ' m . .76 -— 78 ~ ; : 79 80 . 81 , . 82 Mr. Heke . 83 Mr. Ngata 84 Mr. Greenslade So Mr. Poland , 86 Mr. Ross

NEW PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS. THE BEST SITE. SOME REPRESENTATIVE OPINIONS. One of' the primary questions of the session will be the future; housing of Parliament. The matter-of site will enter largely into the decision, and yesterday the- views of members of , Parliament who are at present in town were sought as an indicator of the general feeling. Taking tho average opinion, the .feeling seemed to bo;that some scheme "was in. the air for a complete arrangement of . the Government Buildings— tho Governor's residence, the Parliamentary Buildings,. and the Government Buildings— and that, the question of site depended upon the decision in regard to the Government Buildings in 'Lambton Quay. The Hon. ■ C. H. Mills thinks the new building should be at Government House site. It was necessary to look some years ahead, and' from, that perspective the Government House site was the best. Mr. G. Witty said that until they knew, what was going to be done with the old Government Buildings in Lambton Quay, in which were stored so many valuable documentary records, it would be premature to givo an opinion. If it was intended to place Government Buildings on the Parliamentary site, then he favoured the Government House site. Sir William Steward had an open mind on the subject, especially as there wero so many issues presenting themselves. For instance, tho Parliamentary. Library would make an excellent site for a colonial museum, and additions could be put up for health officers which were badly required in Wellington and other Government Department buildings. ' However, he preferred first to hear tho Government's proposals. Mr. R. 11. Rhodes said lie had his own ideas on tho matter, but did not care yet to express them. He must know first what was to bo done with the old Government Buildings. Mr. A. E. Remington favoured tho old site. Thero were historical reasons why Parliament should bo thero. There was also plenty of space. It had been intended to' rc-crect a portion of tho old building in brick in three years, 011 the completion of the now Wing, and the firo had really only precipitated matters. Mr. W. Fraser would not express his opinion. Ho had thought it over, but until they had tho whole Government proposals before them, with figures, eto., it would not be fair to Bay anything.

Government building. is a source of danger to Government records t which are kept there, and they propose to erect new Government quarters on the present parliamentary sine. The Parliament buildings would go where the Governor's house stands, and the Government buildings site would be used for a terminus station for tho Wairarapa and Manawatu railways.. A residence for the Governor would bo fouiid probably at the Botanical Gardens. It is suggested that the Government should make arrangements to exchange a portion of the Botanical Gardens site for the old railway station grounds, -this, of course, would bo a huge undertaking and would involve.'very large outlay.

TALK WITH MR. MASSEY.OPPOSITION IN THE KING COUNTRY. LIVE POLITICAL TOPICS. Among tho members of Parliament who arrived in Wellington on Saturday evening was the' Leader of the Opposition (Mr. W. F. Massey). He lost no time in inspecting Parliament's temporary quarters. Interviewed by a representative of Tije Dominion' in the course of tho evening, Mr. Massey gave a brief account of his trip overland, via tho Main Trunk route, from Auckland to Wellington. The Leader of the Opposition left home on Wednesday morning last, and went to Te Kuiti, where, by invitation, he addressed a gathering in the ovenmg. 'The conditions were not exactly favourable; the weather was bad, and the night very dark; but in spite of this the number who came together to listen to the address and attend the banquet which was given m Mr. Massey's honour afterwards constituted one of the largest gatherings that has been seen in the King Country. The following day Mr. Massey proceeded to Taumnrunui, where he was met 011 his arrival by a large number of townspeople. Here also he was joined by Mr. Lang, M.P. 11l the evening _ho addressed another largo and enthusiastic audience, and was present at a subsequent social gathering, at which a largo number of ladies were present. Mr. Lang at tho political meeting was also called upon for a speech, and at the social which followed ho bad to respond to tho toast of "Parliament." Wcndorful Adusncoment. Mr. Massey was asked if the signs of progress along tho line were very striking. Tho district, he said, was making wonderful advancement, in Bpite of tho way in which it was handicapped by bad roads—so-called j

liament—in the Manukau, New Plymouth, and luapoka and in neither case has the able , <?.,©*■«* nominee returned. In all probability Dr. Chappie I I be » Government supporter, hut the fact remains that Mr. Horn was the Government nominee, and that the electors of Tuapoka declined to have him, in spite also of tho fact that the Liberal-Labour Federation had their Organiser on the grounds to assist his return.

How about Coalesconce? J?TA aV V loard , a lot from other side of the House about nailing their colours to the mast, and we know what has usually happened j' but you can tako it from me that there will be no backing down so tar. as we are concerned; the Opposition members m Parliament intend' to stand- to the principles which-they have professed, and m which they believe, and also to stand by the party to which they belong both in tne House and m the country." Electoral Boundaries. ,o -»"• "I take it that it is the duty of the Prime Minister to submit his proposals to Parliament in the usual way; and wheu that is done I will then express my opinions in a manner that the Government and the people ot the country will easily understand.'' I Length of the Session, Having now the Parliamentary arrangements, Mr. Massey expressed the belief that the session would bo, about the average ' length, on account of' tho break m the middle, and for other reasons. They, did not know yet' what legislation the Government proposed ■to submit. : The .miserable arrangements in tho Chamber, especially ill tho way of seating accommodation and vontilation, must nccessarilv make the sittings short. , - . • MR. F. W. LANG'S REMARKS. Mr. F. W. Lang, M.P., who joined-Mr. Massoy 011 the journey.south at Taumarumii, said that from what he, , had heard at To Kuit; tho day after Mr. Massey had left the'' mooting there must have been a most enthusiastic one. He himself was present at tho Taumarumii meeting, and it was n most successful gathering.- He could only accept these gatherings as evidences of 'tho popularity of tho Opposition cause. Thoso present had seemed very pleased at Mr. Massey s statements. At Tauniarunui dissatisfaction at-the Aative leasehold tenure seemed to be ripe.