PARLIAMENT.

North Otago Times, 7 August 1903, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

By Telegraph. , Wellington, August 6. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

Tho Council met at 2.30. The Counties Act Amendment Dill was read a second time pro formai H0U61!) Of' REPRESENTATIVES,

The House met at 2.30,

In reply to Mr Herdman Mr Duncan said .he was instituting enquiries m to thq loss of sheep on 'the high country in Otago and Canterbury owing to the recent severe weather, and it would depend upon the result of these enquiries, whether the Government would bring jn ft Bill for tho relief of the pastoral tenants, as was done In 1895,

Several local Bills wero advanced a stage.

Sir W. J. Steward's Electoral Act .Amendment Bill And Sir W, J, Steward's Marriages Restriction Removal Bill were read a second time pro forma.

Mr,-Field's Dramatic Copyright Bill was read a second time by 38 to If, Tho House resumed at 7.30. The debate on tho secoiifl reading of Sir W, J. Steward's Elective Execm live Bill wfcs resumed, and continued throughout tho evening. Amongst a largo number of speakers was Mr' Socldon, who ridiculed tho Bill, and regretted tho timo of the House being wasted over it. He described its supporters as "cut the painter" party, for if the-elective system were carried into effect, it would mean tho. severance of our connection with tho Mother Country. (Cries of " No.") Tho Elective Executive Bill was thrown out by 36 votes to 21, Tho Houso rose at 1.5 a.m.