Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 502, 15 December 1897, Page 3

Parliamentary Notes.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, Deckmueu 11. The Council met at 2.30. MISCELLANEOUS. The Masters and Apprentices Bill was read a second time i>n> forma. The Consolidation Stock-Act Amendment Bill, Members 0! the House of Representatives Disqualification Bill, and the Fisheries Encouragement Act Amendment Bill passed their final stages. OLL> AGE PENSIONS LILL. The Hon. T. Kelly .cave notice of motion that the Council had constitutional l ight to amend all clauses of the Old Age Pensions Bill except clause 54. Hon. W. Montgomery continued the adjourned debate <0 the Old Age Pensions Bill, objecting to compulsory contributions as in:possible. Money for pensions should be appropriated annually. He would vote against the Bill. Hon. -1. Kerr appealed to the Council to pass the bill. Hon. I), Finkerlon also supported the Bill, and pointed out that the large majority of the population were shut out from the benefits of friendly societies, and must either get pensions or charit; bli aid. At 5 o'clock the Council adjourned till 7.30. The Council resumed at 7.30. OLD AGE PENSIONS. The Hons. L. Walker, MacGregor, Scotland, and Taiaroa opposed the Bill, the Hon. Mr MacGregor dealing with the Bill at great length, and the Hons. T. Ke'ly and Jen kin-on supporting the second reading. On division the motion for the second reading was lost by 20 to 15. The motion to insert the Hon. J. A. Bonar's amendment to lay aside the bill was then carried by 11) to 7. LANDS FOR SETTLE>2FNT. The Land for Settlement Act Amendment Bill was read a second time }»■>, Int-UHi. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, December 18. The House met at 2.30. p.m. MISCELLANEOUS. Mrßolleston presented a petition on behalf of Major Kemp, who asked to be heard by counsel at the Bar of the House in connection with the. Horowhenua Bill : and gave notice to move, on the second reading of the Bill, that the prayer of the petitioners be given effect to. Mr I lorries was granted leave of absence for one week 011 account of illness. The Native A flairs Committee reported that they had no recommendation to make on the petition of Sir Walter Duller to be heard at the Bar of the House in connection with the Horowhenua Bill. Mr Rolleston gave notice to move that the prayer of Sir Walter Bailer's petition be granted.