PARLIAMENT.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 566, 5 November 1897, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

By Telegraph.—Press Association Wellington, This Day. House of Representatives. The House met at 2.80.

Imprest Supply Bill No. 2, making provision for the expenditure of £875,000, was introduced and read the first time, and on the second reading a lengthy debate ensued. The second reading was agreed and the Bill put through its final stages. The House resumed at 7.30. The Old Age Pension Bill was introduced and read a first time. Mr Soddon made a statement to tho effect that when lie stated that Colonel Fox, the late Commandant of the New Zealand forces, had had a frco hand lie had intended it to apply only to the question of deciding what ritlos should be used by the forces.

Captain Bussell stated that he was strongly under tho impression that Colonel Fox had not had a free hand in this or any other matter. Several local bills passed the second reading stage. The House adjourned at 1.20 a.m. Legislative Council. The Council met at 2.30. The Minister of Education, replying to Mr Reeves, said the question of the renewal of the Sau Francisco mail contract would l>e dealt with this session.

Tho second readings of the Coroners Bill and Defamation Bill were agreed to. The Council adjourned till 7.80.

The Council resumed at 7.30. Tho imprest Supply Bill was received from tho House and put through all its stages. The Council adjourned at 7.85.