PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13605, 26 November 1907, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[UT TKLEGEAFH.—FKESS association.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Monday. / The Council met at 11 a.m. FINAL STAGES. The Christ-church District Drainage Bill and the Whaugavei Harbour Bill and the Counties Act Amendment Bill were put through their final stages, and passed. The Council adjourned till 2.30 p.m. CONGRATULATORY SPEECHES. When the Council resumed at 2.30 p.m. the Hon. G. .7. SMITH congratulated the Attorney-General on the way in which he had carried out, his responsible duties during the session. lie also suggested that the. time was coming when Parliament would have to sit for six months, which in turn would necessitate an increased honorarium. Several other members spoke on similar lines, nil agreeing in complimenting the Attorney-General, and in referring to the. important character of the legislation that had been passed. The Hon. J. G. JENKINSON endorsed the view that the honorarium of members should be increased. He also stated that Ministers should be relieved of a great, part of their work by the appointment of Under-Secretaries.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL suitably responded to the kindly references made to the manner in which he had discharged his duties. He acknowledged the assistance he had received from members, and said it would not be for him to review the importance of the work transacted during the session. Time would be the test.

FIN ADJOURNMENT. The Appropriation Bill was put through all its stages, and the Council finally adjourned at 5.35 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday.

The House met at 11 a.m. There was no business to transact, beyond waiting receipt from the Council of the Appropriation Bill and two local Bills, which the Council was unable to pass on Saturday. Some machinery amendments introduced to the Maori *' washing-up" Bill, introduced by Governors message, were agreed to. The House resumed to await the receipt of the Appropriation Bill from the Council at 4.40 p.m. FACTORIES ACT AMENDMENT. The amendment Jo the Factories Act Amendment Bill was brought down by Governor's message, "he amendment provided for the striking out of clauses 12 and 16, relating to the employment of Chinese in factories, and the hours of work performed by Chinese in laundries. The PREMIER explained that as the Bill with the two clauses in would have to await the Royal assent before coming into operation it was deemed advisable to strike out the clauses and bring down a measure dealing with the matter early next session. The amendment was agreed to. APPROPRIATION BILL. The Appropriation Bill was received from the Council at 5.10 p.m., and the Speaker having proceeded to the Governor for his assent to the Bill, returned at 5.30 p.m., and read a list of the Bills passed during the session. The PREMIER announced that the £800,000 authorised for the purchase of gilt-edged securities had been raised at a very great advantage to the country, securities worth £853,036 having been obtained, which would yield an a,vbrage of 3£ per cent. In connection with the raisins of. this amount he-desired to acknowledge the assistance given by the High Commissioner.

VALEDICTORY; SPEECHES.

The PREMIER went on to thank the members of the Opposition and other members of the House for the assistance given during the session, and the courtesy shown at all times. He paid a tribute to the Speaker for the impartial manner he had conducted.the business of the House, and thanked the officers of the House, particularly mentioning the Law-drafting Department, in which Messrs. Salmond and Joliffe had done good work. Mr. HERRIES, on behalf of the Opposition, briefly acknowledged the courtesy displayed by the Speaker and the Premier, and reciprocated the good wishes expressed by Sir J. G. Ward. The usual valedictory speeches were made, and the House finally adiourned at 5.55 p.m.