PARLIAMENT

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 147, 3 July 1901, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

THE CEREMONY

By Telegraph—Press Association. "Wellington, last night. Parliament, which was opened yesterday by Commission, assembled this afternoon to hear the delivery of the Governor’s speech. Despite the wet and cold weather there was a large gathering of the public in the neighborhood of Parliament Buildings to witness the miniature military display, while both the floor and galleries of tlie Legislative Council Chamber, where the principal ceremony took place, were crowded. The College Rifles lined the approach to the Buildings. A large detachment of bluejackets from the warships in port formed a guard of honor for His Excellency, while the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles provided an escort. Countess Ranfurly, accompanied by Lady Constance Knox and Lady Aileen Knox, with the Hons. Hill-Trevor and Bottler, arrived shortly before 2.30, and were accommodated with seats on the left

of the Hon. Mr Miller, Speaker of the

Legislative Council, who presented her ladyship and Mrs Seddon with a beautiful bouquet. On the right were grouped foreign Consuls in uniform and several naval officers. The Governor, attired in full uniform, arrived shortly after 2.30. He was attended by Colonel Ponton, Major Owen, Captains Alexander, Osborne and Hughes, and took his seat in the Speaker’s chair. After the usual pause, while members of the Lower House were being summoned, His Excellency proceeded to read the speech, which was above the average in length, and occupied twenty-seven minutes in delivery. At its

conclusion Lord Ranfurly and the Government House party left the chamber to the accompaniment of a salute, tired by tho land battery and warships. Both Houses then proceeded to the ordinary business. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tn the le gislative Council, at the conelusion of the Governor’s speech, messages were received from the Governor notifying the appointment to tho Council of Mr Charles Louisson, of Christchurch, and oir John McKenzie; also the resignation of the lion. Richard Oliver.

The Minister for Education gave notice to move the appointment of the various Sessional Committees. lie also gave notice of several new Bills including a measure for consolidating tho Shop Assistants’ Act.

Mr Kerr gave notice to move the Addrcss-in-Kcply. The Council adjourned till 8 p.in. The Legislative Council met to-night, and passed the Imprest Supply Bill through till its stages. THE HOUSE.

Upon the House resuming after the Governor's spoecli several petitions were presented, asking that it referendum be taken upon the question of Bible-reading in public schools. Mr J. Hutcheson gave notice to ask what stops the Government proposed to take to compensate the man Lillywhitc for the mental and physical torture lie hud undergone by his imprisonment. Notice was given of the introduction of a large number of Bills, among them being the Elective Executive (Steward), Absolute Majority (MeNab), Libel (Fisher), Eight Hours’ ((!. W. Russell), Referendum (Seddon), Totalisator Abolition (Ell). Government Railways Superannuation (Ward I, Fair Bent (Duncan), Ohincso Emigration Act Amendment (Mills), Young LVrsons I’rotoction (Seddon), Factories (Seddon).

The Local Authorities Indemnity Bill, to indemnify tho, local bodies for tho ex-

penditure incurred in connection with tho visit of the Duke of Cornwall, was in-

troduced by Governor’s message, and read a first time. The Comity Councils Bill was also introduced by Governor’s message, and read a first time.

Mr Seddon said he proposed to take the same course in regard to this measure as had been taken in respect to tho Municipal Corporations Bill of last session. The County Councils and other local bodies interested had been invited to meet in conference in Wellington to consider the provisions of tho Bill. If this was not done, the Government intended to proceed with the Bill, after referring it to an experienced Select Committee of the House. Mr Massey asked whether the County Councils Bill was identical with the longpromised Local Government Bill. Mr Seddon said it was the Local Government Bill.

Mr Collins gave notice to move the Address-in-Reply next day. In reply to ATr Monk, Mr Sodiltm said Unit he hud had correspondence with the Imperial authorities in respect to the New Zealand Ensign Bill passed last session, and ho could say that Jtill, after being slightly altered, would eventually receive the lioyal assent.

An Imprest Supply Kill for £570,000 was introduced by Governor's message. Mr Seddon said the immediate passage of the Kill was necessary owing to the fact that the time had elapsed by two days in which Government could make unauthorised payments.

Captain Kussell protested against a Kill of this nature being passed before the Address-in-licply was carried. To do so was a violation of Constitutional practice and principle. The financial year ended on ii Ist‘March, and the proper course would have been to call Parliament rood her at an earlier date, say at the end of May. To pass this Kill now would he a bad precedent, and the House would do wrong in allowing it. Such a course as was now proposed was without precedent, and he hoped that the House would agree that there was no necessity for passing such a Kill, and that Government was to blame for putting the House into such a position. Mr Seddon moved to suspend standing order No. 414. in order to permit Govern-

ment to proceed with the Imprest Supply Kill. This, ho said, was an abnormal condition of affairs, and had to he dealt with as such. A short, early session for the purpose of making provision of this kind would have been inconvenient and expensive. and he considered the House would pass the bill, which was merely for payment of current expenditure. The present course was not without precedent, and he claimed that the Crown could ask for supply at any time. Mr Speaker would have been the' first to call attention to any invasion of privileges of the House. If the House had met in May there would have been no financial statement, but merely the Governor’s speech and Imprest Supply Kill. Mr Herries said they recognised the Bill would have to ho passed, but the Opposition desired to protest acainst the continual evasion of the Standing Orders. Mr G. If. Kussell quoted May to show that a Committee of Supply was set up immediately after tlfe Atldresa-in-’Keply had been carried, and he asked the Speaker whether such a -motion as was now proposed could be made. Sir Maurice O'Korke was understood to rule that the Frontier's motion was in order.

Mr J, Allen urged that even if it had been inconvenient for members to attend in May, that should not have been allowed to stand in the way of their doing their duty to the colony. Mr Ward contended that the course now proposed to be taken was not against the spirit of the Standing Orders. Mr Thcs. McK.enr.ie, Captain Kussell, Messrs Ell and Barclay also spoke briefly. On division Mr Seddon's motion for suspension of the Standing Orders was agreed to by 39 to 12. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply Mr Seddon stated that the only unusual item in the Bill was £60,000 for railway stores. On the motion for the second reading of the Imprest Supply Bill, Mr Herries complained that the stun of £447.000, which had been voted ' last ‘ session for roads and bridges, had not been expended up to 31st March, and urged that' money voted ought to he spent,’ instead of going to swell the surplus. Of the railways vote there remained unexpended £591,000. Mr Duncan said if all the money was expended by 31st March, what would keep the country going from that time until more money was voted. Mr Massey voiced a similar complaint to that of Mr Herries, and pointed out that this Imprest Bill asked for £IOO,OOO more than the first Imprest Bill of last session.

Mr Seddon, in replying, said that work did not stop ou March 31st, even though the vote was not expended, and a proportionate amount was expended during the following three months. No one but a political tyro would say that moneys not expended on public works would swell the surplus. The second reading was agreed to on the voices, and the bill passed through its subsequent stages without amendment. At 5.30 the House adjourned till 2.30 to-morlow.