PARLIAMENT.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 947, 19 September 1901, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. TUESDAY, SKt'TEMIiER 17. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. W. C. Walker moved a motion of condolence with the American nation and relatives of President MeKinley in terms of the resolution passed by the Lower House.— The Hon. Mr McLean seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Hon. W. C. Walker, in moving the adjournment of the Council, referred to two deaths nearer home -those of Mr Scobie Mackenzie and Colonel Fraser. Apart from political matters he had, he said, always enjoyed the shades of temperament of the late Mr Mackenzie, and had maintained with him a firm friendship. Colonel Fraser was known to them as an old servant of another Chamber, but his services there were only the end of an honorable career, begun in the Maori war. The Council adjourned at 2.40 p.m. Wkdnimdav, SeI'TEMIIEU 18.

The Stato School Children's Drill Bill passed its final stages; tne Prevention of Youths Cigarette Smoking Bill was read a second time; the Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill (to legalise sweeps) was thrown out; the Arbitration Court President's Validation Bill passed all its stages, and the Council rose at 4.55 p.m. HOUSE OF KEPitESEXTATIVES. Tuesiiay, SeI'TEMIIKB 17. Mr Wilford presented a petition fiom the Salvation Army protesting against lite introduction of liquor into the King Country. A large number of other petitions to similar effect weie also presented from nil parts of the c jinny. Mr .l:is. All n eavv notice to ttnve fji a return of a'l <• 'ne-pott'lence i'i reference to the return of t.j.p.i by the bj.h before and after their arrival in the colony; also, for a return of the illness and complaints among troopers by that vessel. The Old-age Pensions Act Amendment Bill (the Bight Hon. Mr Seddon) was introduced and read a first time.

The Bight Hon. Mr Scddon moved—" That the House of Kepresentatives expresses its sorrow at tho sad and melancholy death of the President of the United States of America, and sincerely sympathises with the people of the United Stales, and oilers its heartfelt condolence with Mrs McKinley and the relatives of the late President, and joins with the English-speaking people throughout the world in deploring the calamity that by his demise has eventuated; and that a copy of the foregoing resolution be presented to the Government of the United States."—Seconded by Mr Massey and agreed to. Mr Seddon moved—" That this House desires to place on record its regret at the death of the late M. J. S. Mackenzie, and its appreciation of his services as a member of the House of Bepresntatives, and tenders to Mrs Mackenzie and family its ginoerest sympathy and condolence."—Seconded by Mr Jas. Allen, and carried unanimously. A similar resolution, in regard to the late Sergeant-at-Arms, was passed. Mr Seddon gave notice to move that the speeches made by members in the debate on the subject brought up by the member of Bruce on Friday evening be submitted to the' Speaker and Chairman of Committees for the purpose of revising those portions affecting the matter referred to by the member for Bruce. The House then went into Committee pf Supply for further consideration of the 'Estimates. The items House of Heprosentatives £1135, and general expenses Legislative Department £l3, 5!)2 passed unaltered, Wednesday, Skptemiiep, Is.

After the telegraph ollico elosed, progress was reported on the Estimates, an' 1 , the House rose at 2.15 a.m. At the afternoon sitting a bill to remedy all technical detects in appointment of the President of the Arbitration Court was introduced by Governor's message, and road a first time After debate, the second reading was agreed to on the voices, and the bill passed through committee with slight amendments, was read a third time and passed. The umenments made by the Legislative. Council in the State School Children's Drill Bill were agreed to. Tho School Attendance Bill passpd throat committee with amendments. Mr Steward's Statutes Compilation Bill Mr It. MeKenzie's Miners Right Fun B-dnc' tion Bill, and Mr Hogg's liabbit Nuisance Act Amendment Bill passed their final stages, The Shops and Shop Assistants Amendment Bill was put through all stagei, a new clause being inserted permitting chumists to open between 7 and 9 on the evening of the half holiday, and during the afternoon to supply medicine or surgical appliances urgently required. Mr G. \V. Piussell's Eight Hours Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 3 was amended so as to include amongst those to be exempted persons on farms, runs and sheep stations.—Mr Hornsby moved that the Chairman do leave the chair : carried by 21 to IS, the bill thus being kflled. Progress was reported on the Cycle Boads Bill, and the House rose at 12.15 a.m.