PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 14, 1 September 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. M. *

(Per Press Association.* Wellington, August 31. The Council mot at 2.3 U p.m. J4on. Mr. Kigg resumed the adjourned debate on tno motion of appreciation ol the services of tiie Prime Minister and Sir John Findlay at the imperial Uonrerence. He complimented Sir J. G. Findlay upon nis oiauorate explanation of tao c.oings or tno Conference, but expressed disappointment that tne latter had nob given more information respecting Sir oosoph Ward's Imperial Council proposals. Tno Legislature should nave ooen informed of the reasons which influenced • Sir Joseph Ward in bringing it forward. He felt sure the proposal would never ho accepted by the New Zealand Parliament. Hon. Mr. AVigram, in offering congratulations to the Attorney-General, deprecated the tendency to make imperialism a party question. Ho was unable to express an opinion upon an imperial Federal Parliament, out felt that the representation could not be on a population basis. Sir Jonn Findlay, replying to Hon. Air. Rigg's criticism, said there appeared to be some misapprehension as to what was actually proposed by Sir Joseph AVard in regard to the creation of an Imperial Parliament. Sir Joseph recognising that a change was impending in the constitutional system, and that devolution was in tno air. it appeared to the Prime Alinistor that the time was ripe for the discussmn of some scheme of federation embracing all the dominions and the Motherland. It was clearly indicated that all the power to be delegated to the new Imperial Parliament was power to provide for Imperial defence, and tiiat control of internal defence should remain absolutely in tiie hands of each dominion. With these limited powers there would be no danger to our local autonomy. So long as a scheme was devised of fixing our contributions at what wo would willingly give, it would not matter whether they were imposed by the Imperial Parliament or the local Parliament. The motion was carried unanimously, and the Council rose until Wednesday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THo House mot at 2.30 p.m. The report of the Chief Librarian came before the House. It showed that thoro were 76,000 volumes in the library, as against 36,800 ten years ago, but the amount of the annual grant was the same now as it was a decade ago. A resolution was embodied in the report that no fiction be issued to recess privilege holders. The Hon. G. Fowlds said it was hoped to make the Parliamentary Library a national one. He hoped the report of the committee would be adopted.

Mr. Luke and Mr. McLaren opposed tho curtailment of privileges. Another resolution in the report provided for the appointment of additional assistance in the library. Tho report was referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The , Papakaio Water-race Bill was reported from committee. The Greytown Town Lands and Hospital Lands Exchange Bill (Mr. Buchanan), the Oamaru Municipal Exchange and Market Reserve Leasing Bill (Mr. Duncan), and the Wanganui Sir Donald McLean Memorial Park Bill (Mr. Brown) were road a second time. Mr. Sidoy’s New Zealand Mean Timß .BilJiiwaa committed. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. . EVENING SITTING. Tho New Zealand Mean Time Bill was further considered in committee this evening. Sir Josepii Ward said the daylight proposal was a good one, and the worid-at large would adopt the, system' proposed in time. So far as he could see, the adoption of tho measure could inconvenience no one. He suggested that the House should adopt the principles of the Bill and sit from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. He favoured a daylight sitting of the House. Most of the rows in the House now arose after midnight, and that was simply a matter of nature asserting itself. The Bill should have a fair trial throughout tho country. If the provisions of the Bill were adopted by everyone little or no inconvenience would be experienced. He did not supforfc the Bill on sentimental grounds, t was a practical proposal. Mr. Buchanan said the country at large would not approve of the Bill. Mr. Hanan did not think the Bill would work in tho country districts. He suggested that the member in charge of the Bill should refer it to responsible authorities in country districts to sfee if they desired such a measure.

The Rev. Isitt, who was applauded on making his Parliamentary debut, said lie was not afraid of getting people up early. The “Hip Van Winkles”. were not on his side. The Bill would bo of very great benefit to a great number of people. Mr. Bollard moved that the Chairman leave the chair, as the House was wasting time. Wellington, September 1. After midnight Mr. Bollard’s motion that the Chairman leave the chair was negatived, and progress was reported at Clause 4. The Committee then proceeded to consider the Gaming Amendment Bill, progress being reported after the reading of the short title. The House rose at 1 55 a in.'