PARLIAMENTARY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XII, Issue 1885, 4 November 1904, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY.

HIGH COMMISSIONER BILL. At the afternoon sitting of the House yesterday the Premier moved the second reading of the High Commissioner Bill. The Leader of the Opposition contended that the bill should not have been delayed until the dying hours of the session. Sir J. Ward said it was impossible to have brought down the bill at an earlier stage. Mr T. E. Taylor moved: That the bill be read that day six months. Mr C. Lewis seconded the amendment. Mr W. C. Buchanan also opposed the bill, and the debate wa3 interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. At the evening sitting the debate ■was continued by Messrs Herdman, James Allen, Hogg, Moss, Wilford and Duthie. Mr Taylor’s amendment was negatived by 35 votes to 28, and the second reading carried by 43 votes to 24. Wellington, November 4. Aftsr the telegraph office closed in committee on the High Commissioner Bill, the term of appointment of the High Commissioner was altered, on the motion of Mr Seddon, from five to three years, and the appointment was made subject to good behaviour. Clause 4 was amended to provide that the High Commissioner shall not join a directorate or advisory board of any public company or trading corporation. The 'travelling allowances of the High Commissioner was fixed at £250 per annum. The Bill passed’its final stages by 82 votes to 12, and the House rose at 4.25 a.m.