PARLIAMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 98, 22 October 1904, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S SITTINGS, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL* BUSINESS. After we went to press yesterday the Council agreed to a motion by the At-torney-General to suspend the Standing Orders so as to allow local Bills, after being reported from the Local Bills Committee to pass through all their remaining stages at one sitting. FIRST READINGS. The Native Land Rating Bill and the New Zealand Loans Bill were read a first time. COOK ISLANDS. On the Attorney-General moving the third reading of the Cook and other Islands Government Bill, the Hon. H. Scotland moved as an amendment the recommittal of the Bill to further consider tho clauses abolishing the AriMs' Courts and reconstituting the Island Councils. The amendment was lost by 27 votes to 7, and tie BHI was read a third time and passed. LOCAL ELECTIONS. The Local _ Elections Bill was read a third time, and passed without debate. COMPILATION BILLS. The Council agreed to the amendments made by the House of Representatives m the Education Act Compilation, Marriage Acts Compilation, and Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act Compilation Bills. SHOPS AND OFFICES. The Shops and Offices Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Labour Bills Committee. MINING ACT AMENDMENT BLLL. The Mining Act Amendment Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Mines Committee. PUBLIC OFFICERS. The Attorney-General moved tha second reading of 'the Public Officera Appointment and Powers Bill, which proposes to separate the offices of Valuer-General and Commissioner of Taxes and appoint deputies. The second reading was agreed to. LICENSING BILL. As reported elsewhere the Licensing Bill was further considered in Committee. The Committee stage was completed, and the Bill reported with amendment* NATIVE LANDS RATING. The Native Lands Rating Bill was read a first time, and the Council rose at 0.15 a.m. to-day.