LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 144, 16 June 1909, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Council met at 10.30 a.m.

THE "DREADNOUGHT."

The SPEAKER read a message from the House asking the concurrence of the Council in the resolution approving of the "Dreadnought" offer. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that at was not necessary to ask the 'Co-uncil's concurrence, but it was done a& a matter of courtesy. The Hon. Mr RIGG moved an amendment opposing the gift. He took exception to Dr Findlay's statement, a,nd argued at length in support of the reasons given in his motion-, contending that the offer was the result of a party "dodge" backed up by the Unionist press. He gave the Government credit for good motives, but said that they acted hurriedly for fear that some other country should get ahead. The real feeling of the country was against the offer. The Opposition was hopelessly involved in the offer, and could not repudiate it. The Hon. Mr SCOTLAND briefly seconded. There was no discussion. On a division there were only these two votes for the amendment, and the motion was carried. The Council then adjourned till tomorrow. *