PARLIAMENT.

North Otago Times, 3 August 1903, Page 1

PARLIAMENT.

By Telegraph, Wellington, July 31. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2,30. The Legitimation Bill, Intestate Bs tales Bill, Rojad and Town District! Hating Bill passed their final stages,. HOUSE 1 OF REPRESENTATIVES, The House met at 2.30, A connuittco was set up to deal with tho question of education. In tho course of a short discussion several memtcrs urged that the scope of the committee's labors was too wide, and that no practical value would result. Mr Seddon said ho looked upon Alio first order, of reference (that dealing with primary education) as the most important branch of tho committee's work, Improvement could he made in our primary system, and it should );u done at the earliest possible, moment. There, should be a sessional select committee on education, and i. ; was his intention to have such a committee set up each session. With regard to complailnts that the appropriation voted by the House last session had not been paid to the school committees ho said the matter would be provided lor this session, as he would liavo a clause inserted in tho Appropriation Act providing fon payment .direct to the committees Speaking of requests for increased educational grants, Mr. Scddon said he was busy just now preparing the Financial Statement, and lie found that despite his desire to economise tiierc must lie increases in. the estimates this year. He would like to give a £20,000 or £30,000 increasa n tho education vote alokie this year and lie belioveit it would be money well spent, but they had to cut, their coat according to their cloth. In some respects, however, there would bo an increase in this vole, which would be satisfactory to members of the House. He further announced that a Bill would 1)0 introduced this session to compel Boards of Governors to carry out the- wishes of Parliament in regard to secondary educa lion.

The Fire Prevention Bill was introduced by Governor's message, and read a first time. r Air Bedford gave notice to ask the Premier whether, in view of tho decision of the full Court refusing a mandamus to compel the Newtown Licensing Committee to issue licences and in view of tho prospect of further expensive litigation on appeal to the Privy Council, the Government will introi'luce a Bill to provide for a second poll in all cases wliero the local option poll has been declared void by. a Magistrate, seeing that whatever decision tho Privy Council arrives at the Government will be bound to grant a second poll, or in somo other way give effect to : tho will of the people. Thellouse roso at- 5.30 The House resinned uti 7.30. Mr Seddon moved the second reading oi' the Patriotic Funds Bill, to admit of a diversion of the surplus' of the patriotic South African war i'aiids.' Several members thought the time, not yet ripe for tire Bill, as all claims, had not been exhausted. Tho second reading was carried by 30 to 20. The following Bills were read a second time-i Medical J%cti<l.ii(Auu , s ltegi,station, Inebriates Institution Amendment, First Offences Probation Act Amendment and Wireless Tcliv gl'aphy. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of tho Coastwise Trade Bill,, which Was adversely criticised by Messrs Massey, M,oss, Fowlds, Buchanan and Hemes, the chief complaint being that it was aimed at the Fris--10 service,' Sir Joseph Ward strongly supported the Bill, .and expressed himself strongly in favor of tho 'Frisco vice,Tho debate was adjourned, The House ros3 at 12.30