PARLIAMENT'S WORK

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6964, 2 November 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT'S WORK

A QUIET WEEK-END. Seldom have the lobbies been so deserted during a week-end as has been the case since the House rose on Friday night. The trip of the Parliamentary party over to Blenheim, of course, was largely Responsible for this stats of things. The rush of deputations also seems to have ceased for the time being, and this has resulted in adding to the generally desolated appearance of the buildings. There bps been only one public visit to a Minister during the week-end, and even that nearly fell through owing to tho late arrival of the chief spokesman. The Minister, however, was patient, and waited a full ten minutes for the absent one to turn up. In the Legislative Council there are indications for a fairly quiet week. There will bo no sitting this afternoon and, in spite of what the Attorney-General said cm Friday, membters are discussing the likelihood of a ten days’ adjournment almost immediately after the meeting tomorrow afternoon.

The programme for the House of Representatives, however, seems to ' indicate that there will'be some solid work for the "Lords" to do without much further delay. Tho Hon. G. Fowld-s's Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill lias been moved to tho top of tho order paper for to-day and.set down for committal, where it is sure to cause much discussion. The eocond order of tho day will be the second reading - of the Hon.. J. A. Millar's Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill, while to follow there will be the wxmmijttoe stage on the Prime Minister’s New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Bill. The Land Settlement Finance Bill and the National Provident Fund Bill are also both down for their second readings to-day. Among the local* Bills down for consideration on Thursday first place is given to Wellington (City) Water Supply Loan Moneys Diversion Bill, which Mr Luke will pilot through its second reading-