PARLIAMENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 230, 2 October 1902, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

Press Association. Electric Telegraph,

Copyright.

Wednesday, October 1.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Council met at 2.30

Tbe Hon. J. RIGG moved that the Government be requested to introduce a Bill next session for the prevention of tied houses. Lost by 14 to 10. A motion by Mr RIGG: That the Government be requested to take into consideration the administration of Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act was also lost. The Greymouth Harbour Bill passed its final stages.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. teachers' superannuation fund. The School Teachers' Superannuation Fund Bill was introduced by Governor's message and read a first time so that it might be circulated during the recess. STATE FIRE INSURANCE. The Select Committee on State Fire Insurance Bill reported that efficient evidence had been given to show that compulsory insurance was an undesirable feature of the proposal. The Committee recommended that the evidence be printed and circulated. BILLS. The following Bills passed through Committee: — Methodist Church of Australasia in New Zealand Bill: Pharmacy Act Amendment, Tauranga Educational Endowment Reserves, Inebriates Institutions Amendment and Military Pensions.

':. • EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. MUNICIPAL BILL. The Municipal Corporations Bill passed through Committee without material amendment. MIDLAND RAILWAY. A Bill was brought down by Governor's message "To make certain provision in satisfaction of the grievances of debenture-holders and shareholders in the New Zealand Midland Railway Company. PUBLIC HEALTH. In Committee on the Public Health 'Amendment Bill, in clause 6, which empowers the local authority to raise by separate rate the amount of expenses in carrying out the provisions of the Act the amount of the rate was limited to a half-penny in the £ instead of two pence. Wellington, October 2. MIDLAND RAILWAY. After the telegraph office closed, Sir J. G. WARD moved the second reading of the Midland Railway Petitions Settlement Bill to authorise the payment of £150,000 in full satisfaction of all claims by the Company against the colony. He said the debentureholders had stated their willingness to accept this sum in full satisfaction of the whole claim.

Mr Jas. ALLEN urged there was a moral obligation upon the colony to liquidate this claim. Mr FISHER strongly opposed the 811, and described the vote as blood money to purchase silence. Mr MASSEY said no technical plea ought to be taken advantage of /to escape liability.

Mr G. RUSSELL said we could not afford to have the fair fame of the colony blackened on the London money market

Mr HORNSBY considered the House had no right in the dying hours of the session to vote this money.

After1 a lengthy debate the second reading was carried by 47 to 8, and immediately on the Bill being committed strong opposition was set up to its passage, several hours discussion taking place on a motion by Mr FISHER to report progress.

The following appeared in ovr second edition last issue: —