PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 137, 3 July 1901, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

FEB PttESJ ASSOCIATION. ♦ i Tuesday, Jutv 2. FORMAL OPENING. GOVERNOR'S SPEEOH. ' Wellinqtos, June 23. Parliament, which was opened yes[torday by Oom:nfgjidD, fiusimbled this , af-urno<n <o hear ths dflivery of the Governor's speech. Despite the wet a'id cold weather f'ere wai a Urge of the pub'ic in ihe neigh-| ' b.iurhood of Parl-ameot huiHings to witness the miniature military,di.«pUy, j vhile bo'h floor and galleries ut the] IL gislative Oonncil Ouaaiber, where the principil ceremony torik place, were crowded. Tne College Rifles lined the approach to the building. A lagM de attune-t of bluej ckefs from var>l>ipi in p >rfc forme i a guard of honor for his Excellency, while the 'Ter t'Uiga Mounted R flea provided m escort. The Countess of R-mfurly, acjompani d by Lady Constance Knox and Lady Edeen Knox, with the Hons. HTill-Trevor and Butler, anived shortly befoie 2.30, and areommoiated with seats on the left of Sir Heary J. Miller, of the Legislative 0 unci), who pre ent'd her ladyship ■vith a biaut'ful bouque'. The Speaker a's) handed to Mrs. Seddon a beauti''ul bouquet. On thi right w«r* groupel the Foreign Consuls, in uniform, and several naval officers. The Go error, attired in full uniform, arrived eho'tly after 2.30, at'e>id-d by "o'o. el Pole-Ptnt n, M jor o*en, Ouptvit.s Alexander, Osborn", and Hughes, and took his seat in the ir. Af e- the uuil paus o , wh'le members of t e Lower Hous" T era beiar? surumoned, his Excill-flcy pne e'el tite-id hi« 6peeob, which wa' abovo the stverage in length, and occupied tweaty-?even in delivery. Atitsconclusi n Lird|Ra'furlyandthe Government. H us- [art y left the ChaAubcr, 'o tho ace >inpanirne: t if a salute fired by the land tut ery unl warships. Both Houses then proceeded' to ordinary busine s. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEEOH. His Excellency's speech was as folfows : HONOUHABLE QeNTLEMEK OP THIS LEQIS- , lativb Council, and Gbntlbman ofthb House of Representatives^ It is to me a greit pleasure to you again in Parliament assembled, DEATH OF QUSEIf VICTORIA. S nee the last session of Parliament, an event of a strikingly sad character has overtaken the nUion, in the death, of her late Gracious Mjes'y, Queen Victoria, who p ssed away on the 22nd day of January. Ja»t. On h'r death becoming known, one great throb of g-i f went forth throughout the civilised world. Itwesourkte Soveieign's :ot.s' ant desire to promote the best interest of li r people, and t) maintain th ir liber is?, and improve their condiions. Her greatness and go 3d works «ill live f reve l -, and h&r r<ign h«s added iraper'.shabln glories to our Emp;re. In the death of our late giod Queen Vio'crii), the world has suffered an i-Tf-pirable. loes She was beloved and resp-ctsd by her Fubj >ct% and her memory will ever be < nshrin,d in their hearti, an 1 well may it be fervently said thit " her grave Was watered by a nations' teats." Messages of sincere sympithy and condo'ence w.re forwarded by me to his Gracious Majesty the King and tbe Royal family, to which the following nply was received from the Secretary of S ate for tl e Co'ouies: —'His Maj°sty the K'ng and the Riyal family command me to express thu'r sincero g r att'ude, in which His Mi'j s'y's Gove-nmeot, join, far the syuipa'hy of New Zeal ml in the Umcn'el death of Her Majesty, Queen Victcria." ACCESSION OF KING EDWARD VII. Ou the death of his b.loved mother, t v e hte god Que-n Vic'o'ia, his a'sumel the thr.ne as King Eiward VII, and the peiple of this c il >ny mos'. lovwlly acclaimed the Mgn of the new King and his es-mnnptiin of the throne wa 3 , with fitting ceremony, pr'c'aimed at the threshold of ur Prfriiiment buildings. In almost v>iy ci'y, borough, and county ihr ughout thecolooy similar functions uok place, and the peoplp, with one voic", exclaimed, " Long live the King." THE ROYAL VISIT. T' e most pleasurable event s : nce th'' foundi' g cf the colony was the visit of the : r Royal Highi esses, the Diiki aud D ichess of Cornwall and York, and ■he euthusitstic an! hyil rcceptiun iivan thim by tbo petplo cf thil- - will will, I feel ass>ir. d, ever be ivm mberhd with pleasure. Tn» ad'lre ses pres nt<d cime spontm'ously from a fee and devitel people, and brnath<d loyalty to His his Throre, and Royal pe SDH. The enthusiastic welcome and receptiousgiv*n t> their Royal Higbnefs s were ia all p>rts of the colo-.y vi>ite', heartfelt, sine re and univers 1. The d' monstnions by th-j p ople (-f the nttive race a", wis maghinVnI', 1 ', uniqutand hist rical, and it is questiooabli if •jvor again thire wi'l be another such gat.t.ie>ing of 'he noble Maori ric s The following passisr s fr- m his R>yal H'ghiiess's farewell mes-age, in a le'ter c nveyed to me on t"e eve of heir Rijal plac s on record the pleasure ex peril nedd and impression fortnel duriig their vi>it: —" D.jnedi», 27th Jump, 1901. D ar L rd Ranfurly.— 0 i the t ve of our departure I am >nxi us to tell the i of Zeilml how happy we ha>e bten in their be u'i'ul land, with wlat regrets w.' le V 9 it, and wha 1- . Is freling* of ti ule we ca*ry away for the loyal enthusiisra, cor'iality, and kind-heart-dness so uuivdis lly accorded to us throughout our stiy. I w.s «spe';i*l!y glad to meet, faca to fac?, the Maori people; to have witness 'd their v«st uno! interesting gathering at R>to;ua, and to have had pirf-oual aud friendly intercourse with their leading chiefs and representatives. It was gratifying to near their ssuraoces of loyalty tj the Kinjr, their exp e-sions of torro.v for their d;eplyl'>ved Qusen, and to experierici th-ir euthuuia-m aod warmn.S3 of h. art t>w.rds ("usslves. lam glid to think th it thiH ancien' and chivalrous r»ce is livinii in reace nnd prospe ity, and ahmng with the'r p ke'aa broth rs the luti-s and res/oniib < f good cicizens'iip Though unfor unatelyour stay his, f om fo ceo c circumstances, been a sh >rt one, I eante tly tru.'t tha.* the txpe iencj and kno*ledgiof the counry which Ihave §a'n>d, and my pers nal intercourhe with ir.s peip'e, any, in soxe maesirr-, t nd to sustain ani eahaoca the exis ing fdtlin,' of sympah/ and irj'e e*s b?t«en the Mother Country and New Za.lan', and thus drawßtilf olossr ties of aff;o'iou and brotherhood by which we are so

happily united. Heartily wishing.that the steady growth and prosperity of the country may ever continue, believe me, dejr Lord R\nfurly, very sincerely yours, "GBOHa«."S AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH. With the dawn of tbenewcenturythe birth of the Commonwealth of Australia was celebrated. New Z-aland was officially represented by the Right Hon. the Premier, and the Hoo. the Native Minister. The Commonwealth Parliament was opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall on the 9th May, and was a moat imposing ceremooy. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, and the Hon, the Minister cf Education officially represented this colony. It will ba pleasing to all well wi-hers of the colony and th* inhabitants of the Cook and Mother Islands to koow that by Letters Patent, dated llth May, 1901, His Majesty has approved of the extension of the boundaries of the colony, so as to include the islands mentioned in the resolutions passed, last session by both branches of the Legislation, and by proclamation issued by mp, and read in the presence of their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, on thtir arrival at Auckland. The boundaries have been so ex'ended 88 from the llth day of June, 1901. VISIT OP IMPERIAL TROOPS. As you are aware, represents,'ive troops of the Imparial and Indian' Armies were present at the inaugural Australian Commonwealth celebrations, and subsequently arrived in our colony, and it was with sincere'pleasure I noted the he'rty reception extended to them by the people of New Zealand. The hospitality shown them was very much appreciated by the officers and men. The officers in commaad, on leaving, expressed their appreciation of the hospitality and kindness shown. TISIT OF AMKRIOAit WABSHIP. I am pleased to inform you that the , Uait.d States war.hip, Brooklyn,under the command of Rear-Admiral Remey, , visitel New Zeiland, and, after a short utay at Auckland, came on to Wellington. The Rear-Admiral, his officers, and men were accorded a very hearty welcome, and. will, I feel sure, curry away with them a kindly remembrance of their visit to this colony. WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA. I regret to fay that tho war in South Afiica still continues., The successes, however," that have at- ,- tendd the vigO'Ous efforts isada bv Lord Kitchener afiord every reason to anticipate that, ere Ion?, the war wil> come to a close. The Firs', Second, and Third Contingents have returns* to the colony; the Fourth and Fif h are on their way horn", and on the 29th ultimo their safe arrival at Albany was reported. The Sixth and Siventh Oontiognnts were sent to re'iove the , Contingents returned aod returning to the colony. The colony has now ix< South Africa about 1000 officers and men, and they ore fu'ly maint.it.im the high repu'atio.ti for bravery, en> rgr, and gUlant bearing earned by the New Zealand troops that preceded tbero. - PACIFIC CABLE. It is a pleasure tt me to announce that the commencement of the con Btruction of the Pacific Cable is now an accomplished fao 1 . The contnet ha« been signed, a Bond of Advice has been formed, and the wo'k of laying the cable is progressing, and this Imperial work, advantigi)cu* a'iketothe colonus and the Mother Cnun'ry, will, it is expected, be complet d « ell within the next two yeira. I regret to say that some friction hs ais>nowi-g to the Government of New South Wal-je, ons of the contracting parties, having granted cooc smocs to the Eis'ern Extension Telepraph Coupmj', whi h »r v deemed inimical to the Paific cille ssheme. The o'.le s of the contiucti. g parties wereapproacned with the samp object in view, bus sWdily re r us d to be any parties to doing anything whic*' would militate against the success of the Pacific cible. This couwe wilt, I feel sure, be appreciated. It is f e first time that the Imperial authorise' aod Canada hav, wi h the Aus'raliacolouiea and New Zealand, ju'ntl undertaken a work of Imperial aul colonial importance, and nothing should bo dor.e which al ers the siuafion until after oonmlßttion, and wit he concurrence of all the contnctio t parties. THE PUBLIC HEALTH. I regret to *tate that thi bubonic p'ague still continues in semi of the other colonics. It is pleading, howaver, t) knaw that New Z aland is free therefrom. The Heal h Act of last session is working well, and < very pr cu ioi is taken to ensure the healh of the inhabitants nf our colon*. b-d to prevent the-dreaded pWue reich r ns{ our sh>rs. In omcecio wi'h health matters lam ple'sel to not* tbat the r>a'iv9'race, und r the powers given by the Maori Oour.ciV Act of last session, are usin; eve\ precau'io* l , Hnd are improving th Sinitary condi ion of tl.e : r kuing*s. One of the native rac, who is dul> qulifi d, h»s bwn app.intel a HeOt Officer, an! 1 have ev*ry riasm t that the hei'th < f our b ethrm <>f the native raci will be improved and tint th 9 dab. rate will te re ducad. ROYAL COMMISSION. During the reces< Rnyal O 'mmissions have ben oppoioted to inquire into and report on ma'ters affecting the coil-miuesof the colony, the di«poial cf mining debris into re tn'ri river-fythe Midland R.ilw y, federaion wi h the Commonwealth of Autr.il's, and the f asib-'l>ty or. o'herwise of a 0010 ial scale of salaries for the t -achurs of N«jw Zeil md. PENNY POSTAGE. On the Is - , of January lai-t postage Bahama came into force in this colony, and his given uoivers 1 Bit's 'action. I am happy to s >y it is « pronounced success, and it is more th\n probable that within two years, as the r'sult of the increased bu-ine-g, the revenue will aqual that prac<ding th* reduction. My Ministers rsgret that up to the pre-ent, several of the Au ■■ taalian colonies have rot swn thoii way to adopt the system, and are mi- - chargiog our letters I B inc .rely honthetinae is n ,t fur distant when the penny po-tasjo wi 1 ba adopted by tie Australian C )mmonwealth, and be univwal within the B-itish E-np're. Miny foreign la'ions that hav* no' adopted the penny p stage ! within their own countries have met willingly consented to admit our letters at the penny rate. , THE CESBUB. | , On the 31s w . MirchTst the peop'e of th ; s coloiy werienuraera'ed. Thi i returns disclose a eubstantial iocrase i « cmpa-el with census of 1896, < and a c nndertble in re<se as cimpired with the census of 1891. i increase on the wliole is not i f ictory, yet, in a y ung country like I this, so favourably circumstanced, there I is roam for improvement, especially in i ropeobtotheDaturalinotease; and the

. falling off in the birth rate gives ground for nfl.ctioa and anxiety. The moit pUasiog feature in the late enumerating of the people is, that there It * "" marked increase in the number of those | of the Maori race, and the outlook in tkL n'epant is cheo ingin the extreme, i and exceptional in regard to the aboriginals, when surrounded by, and > .brjught in'o close contict with 0 her racer and their customs and environments. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS. Ibe 6yote<n of advaooes of cheap moneys to settlers continues popular, and is working very satisfactorily, and . ; during the last few months, when tber* ma a tendency to increase the race of 1 interest, the ctaip money scheme 1 of the olony proved a great noon, not only to settlers, but to ' all requiting to borrow. My ' Ministers have under consideration ' an amendmeot of the Advances to Settlers Act to meet the cases of lessees on 1 Education endowments, who claim to | have advances made on their improve- : ments in excess of tbe amounts men--1 tioned in their leases upon which the • educational authorities have agreed to 1 piy compensation. LAKDB FOR SETTLEHEOT, , Fair progress has, during the yew, * been made with the purchsse ofjands for closer tettlement. The .earth hunger coDtiuues, and to meet tbe demond the j acquirement of lands suitible and re- ," quired will be vigorously proceeded I with. woekmen's hoick*. , The law, in respect to acquiring I lands within boroughs for workmen'* i homes, has provtd te be defective, i Owners, on being notified to place thtir i land under ofier, have immeliatoly . ransferred portions to relit ions iom t to bring the are* within tbe lio.i; ■ allowed to be retained, thus defeat! g the object of the Legislature. FINANOEB FOR THE TtUL. , The estimates of tb» year, with a ' , due regard to economy and the r. quirements of tbe colony, will in the ordinary I ourse bi placed before you. Unit the war in Bouth Africa is at an end a normal coaditien in rrapeetto J defence expenditure is impeUbk. , Owing to the large demand caused by , unusual conditions in. the English money markets, it wm not deemed advisable to follow the usual course of raising the money required, under the 1 Aid t-> Publio Works Act in Loodpn. 1 My Ministers dtemtd it advieaUe to •aise the half million loan locally, and the experiment "his proved entirely | sati»factory. The Amount a«ked for was al most doubly subscribed. A pleas- | ing ftature was tie number of stna'l amounts that were offered, aid * ' oners of £SOOO and under were allotted ' n full. There was no ommiuion or 1 payment for underwriting, the only | expense b-ing t'at of advertising. An important departure, and one which my advisers anticipate will be followed | in o<h*r oolonie*, was that of the in* terest b irg made piya>le in New Zea'and, Austr.ilia, aod London. ! RAILWAY TBAFFIO. The traffic and revenue on our railways, I am ghd to say, ati'l coatieue to ircivnse, acd an increased expenditure if necessity follows. With the arrival of the ex r* looomotives and ro'.ling stock now on baud e*d ordered t the requirements of the railways will r be f.irlym , ar.d at no distant date, 1 both as regards locomotives and rolliog | stick. My Mini'ters h-p-> to have tbe same constructed within the colony. | SUPERANNUATION SOHMte. Another matter demanding v*tlen- , 'ion is that sime provision should be made whereby railway servants, who' ', through age or infirmity, or by mtetiag with an sccideot, may, when retired, receive some superani.ua' ion or other , llotran-o. To retire some of the elder , servans under eii-ting conditions is ;■ no", my Minings think, a fitting w- , «a;d for faithful a<"rvioes rendered. , This lack of consideration not only app p'-'ei to the but to other public set vat.ts, aod to continue the present , 'noxa'o'is position is undesirable. Some Civil Servants on retirement are " en'i'l'C 1 to a month's salary for every year's service; and others are granted *n amount equal to one month's raliry, • , hut not exceeding in the whole a sum equal to one year'* salary V*ry m-ny, >vhosi pay does no', enable them co save, he th-y ever so tVrifly, are, as matters now s'and, ca-t a'rift without reoiving ai>yth<n l f. i'hb cltbsification of tbe whole of t'e State Departments, and the ad ption ><f a schtmeandfu d«ts «hich .11 the State servants will cm'nbu'e, aie ma'ters worthy of grave sontideration. ■ BULWAT COMSThUOTION. . Fai<- p. ogress has been made with 'h« notion of the Main Trunk 'ines of railwVy during the recess, and the vigorous p-osecution of these wo:ka will be co- tinned. There is a mat'or of jonßide able importance in cinneotiori with seve.al of these lires of r.'P«ay, namtly, thit lilA* SbitaVe for il se ae incroi-ed in value is the woi k of construction pioceds, md my Ministers cors 'er thu if th se I nds are acquired by tl e S ate, under ha Lands for Seflemrhs Act, My *ithio five years from dt»e>, the now existing value (f the Tn's e't-uld be ibo basis upm which th« prire to be paid by the State should be determined. MAIL AKEANOEMEKTS AND COUMB. CIAL FACILITIE •. The mail a rang.meat&as btwren the colony, Australia, tbe mother country, ard e'se* l» re, are nt at all en a satisfac'o y footing, anl our oimmercial errangemetts are not *> fliriently promoted u iler the existing conditions. My a4vi-e so nsider that i xi« ing barriers shiull, in fairness to the * hoy, b r. moved si that reasonable facility should oStafn for «r de and commerciil rjiprosity Tnereojssity for the exinsioi of the commerce of the colony, ant for the granting of faciliti s for the transmission of our produo's to oth.r markets still coninue. Wih the obje tof improving matters offers weru ca'leJ for from steamship owners willirg to carry our produ ts a f . given freights, and at regular in'ervtls ba'ween New Zealand and South Africa. The offers vere unsi isfact ry, sni no further action was taken pending tin me-tin« >f P.rliameut, and au hority bein* given to have comply dTfttungoments made to me.t this pressing nece<ai'r rspecting this qu«s'ioa will be submitted to you i n due course. NEW DEPENDENCIES. • In repect to the Cook Or up and other islands now within the extended boundaries of .he cohny, my Mioißte „ of opinion th.t no sudden change shoud bemad* in the la«s affoi'e the ump, .nl for- the present the ordinance pas-ed y 110 Qo.k Islalde ' P*rliam n, should be Lga!,s<.d andoon-t-inue app icabie uatil other provision ie made. Lu.uvO.bnel Gudgeon h,s be?n to act as r. presentative for .thjcolcny in resp ot to the manage-. mentand omtrolof the O.ok and O'.hsr w »«*d«,

TRADE COJIBINATIOHS, AND THE COAL QUESTION. Recent developments in other countries and in our own colony in the f urmat on of trusts in combinations, with a view of fixing abnormal rates for the purchase and tale of products within the colony, are worthy of attentioß ; and my advisers are of opinion that the Legislature should, if the evil continues »nd pass, as a precautionary measure*, a law making it illegal fir peisot.!, corporations, or ctmpaniis to enter into contracts or agreements fixing an abnormal price at which feed/ -stuffs or ctal within the colony should be fold. My Ministers desire to brir g tinder your notic* th<» iuci eased prices ._ payable for coal for State requirements, and with a view of meetii g this difficulty, and to insure a supply cf coal for Qoyeri ment purposes at reasonable . rate, it Is essential that a State cosl mine he established. The great and growing demand for coal, and the inadequacy of the supply from the coal mites on the West Coa«t of the Middle Island, alio renders a State coal mine ad visible. LiBODB LAWS ASD OTHEE MEASURES. The Reftrendum Bil', tho Mortg«ges J Land Bill, and Bill* amending and consolidating, several laws relative to labour, working hours in factories and workshops, and regulating tbe working hours of bank cltrks and clerks engaged in mercantile hcusis, and other measures affecting socisl matter?, "will jn due course be submit!ed. PAYMENT OF MEMBERS BILE. A measure having for its object an increase in the salaries of members of Parliament will be submitted for your consideration acd early attention. FIRES JS THE COLONY. The conflagrations that have taken place in tbe colony since last session, and the less of life and property caused thereby, call for imnediate consideration, and with a view of bettering, the -condition of the colony in this respec my advisers will bring before you remedial measures, with tbe o v ject of placing the Fire Brigades, fire appliances, and water supply in a better condition; and also of bringing under the control of the police the means of e scapfrom fire in the case of persons living in hotel* and lodging-house?, and, in respect to the larger hotels, making it ncctsssary to have efficient nightwatchmen employrd whose sole duty : it will be to patrol tbe buildings and give the alarm in case of fire. LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAWS. The LegielaUve having last tension consolidated and amended the muni- < cipal laws of the tolooy, it is necessity to comp'ete and perfect tbe laws 1 elating to local self-government. With 1 this object the County Councils Bill i will be- introduced at an early period, ; acd I hope passel into law. TJUUGKiTIOH LAWS | £. Bill amending the Chinese Tmmi- '. ■ gration Act is necessary, more par- i ticplarly as affecting of tbe race that i come to the colony as members of shipcrews. [', HOSPITAL STAFFS. A measure extending tie power of '. the Inspector-General of Hospital', and 1 providing for the registration of bos- i pital nurses, will be brought under i you notice. COSTS OF THE KOYAL VISIT. 1 On the visit of their Royal High- i nesses the Duke and Duchess of Corn- ' wall and York, it was found that the i laws existing did not empower local 1 ~ authorities to incur the' necessary ex- . penditure to meet the pleasurab'e cc- j .casi' n, A Bill wi'l therefore be iet.-o- 1 ducrd indeminifying and making legal < the e> penditure of the local authorities i f r t is purpose. 1 GOLD DEEDGISQ AND MINING. A measure will be introduced giving | extendi d pavers in respect of land I affected by the proclamation of rivers in 1 which dredging optains. The Mi> ing • and Companiiß laws also require i tmending in the direction of ensuring that the directors of companies sha'l be < liabel to be p'ocerded agaicst for th> i payment of calls, and that tbe calls of i other si arebolders sh ill be invalid, unless the calls of the directors have beeD paid, cr steps bken for the i erovery 1 thereo r ; and alse that in the oseo r i gold mines, as in that of coal mine?, a ! small r.iya'ty may be charged for the purpose of aseis'ing tie ei>k i and becevolent fund of the miners en- t gaged in the said 'mines. i MAORI COUNCIL'S ACT. 1 Ism pleased to infoi.m you that th' i ■ eocatitu l ion of the Councils and B?ards i under the Maori Counci's Act and Maori Lands Administration Act has ' been proceeded with, and with tbe ex- i cep'ion of one part the colony has been sub-divided into districts. The 1 outlook is very promising, and i there ia reasonable expec'ation of I the waste lands owned by tbo-e i of tbe natives races being thrown open ere long for settlement. , BETTLTMENT AND MADE. The reading and fet'lement of the ' people ef tie colony in of paramount impoitarce. My Ministers are giving i t*is matter ev.ry attention, and pro , post Is farthering this object will be placed befrre you. The energy of our sturdy ie* tiers has in degree contributed to the laigely increased exports of last year, which formed a record; and the trade returns warrant me in believing th»t cur prosperity is hated on a solid foundation, which, I tope, will be lasting and fcr thegocd of the people. , . CONCLUSION. T true 1 ; that the several matters brought UDder your notice nry receive your careful attention and-earnest considerate, and pray that with tbe blessing of the Almighty God the resol's cf your Ufcoure m»y be for the gcod of the Empire, acd to the lasting benefit of tbe people of this fair colony. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Council, on the conclusion of the Governor's speech, messages were received from his Excel lency notifying the appointmet to tbe Council of Mr. Charles Louiesrn, Chris'church, atd Sir John McKerzie; also of the r-si{na<ion of the Hen. Richard Oliver. Tbe Minister for Education gavn notice to move the sppointoent of various sefsicnal committees. He also gave to'ice of sever*.! upw'Bills, including a measure for consolidating the Shop Assistants Act. Hon. J. Keir(Weßtland) gaveno'i<e to move the Address-in-Reply. The Council adjourned till 8 p.m. Evesino Fitting. The Couneil met to-r.ight ard passed the Imprest Supply Bill through all its 8 cages. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Upon tbe House resuming after the GoverTorsspeecb.several petitions were presented asking that a referendum be taken upon the question of"Bible readfag in public schools.

Mr. J, Hu'chefon gave notice to ask v. hat seps the Government, propcs'i' to take to comre e tho liiaa Lilywbi'e fcr the meiitnl and p' y,-,ica! to's■ure h* bud ur.dtrgi ceby hi< imprson rafnt.

1 Notice was given o ».hs in'. lod'.id'cn I <f _a large r.nm , rof Bills, .-mons > i en ■ bring th.- E'cc-iv Executive Bill .Ho W. J Seward); Majority Bill(M-. R, McNa'.); Libel Bill'(M.' G. F shei); Eijjht Hours Ei'l (Mr. G. VV. Ru 6 .e'l): Ef.recdum Bill (Hon l IV J Sfddon); TotalisVor Aboli'ioi 'Bill (Mr. H. G. Ell); Gcvernment Railways Superannuation Bill (Sir Joseph Ward); Fair Rent Bill (Hon. r. V. Duncan); Ohioese Immigration Act Amendment Bill (Mr. J.A.Millar); Young Persons Protection) Bill and the Factories Bill (Mr. Seddon). The Local Authorities Indemnity Bill, »e indemnify local hodios for the expenditure incurred in connection with the visit of the Duke (f Cornwi.ll, was introduced by Governor's message, and re.d a first time. The County Councils Bill was also introduced by Governor's message and read a first time. Mr. Seddon said ho proposed to take the same course in regard to this measure rs had be<n taken in respct to the Municipal Co poratiors- Bill <f Uri session. C'-unty Council* and oth r local bodies interest d had been invited to meitin C iference in Wellington, to consider the provisions of the Bill, If this was cot done the Government intended to proceed with the BW,after referring it to an experienced Select Committee of the House. Mr. Maß c ey asked whether ths County Councils Bill was identical with the long-promised Local Government Bill. Mr. Seddon said it was the L-cil Government Bill. t Mr. Collins gave notice to mOve the Address-in-Reply next day. la reply to Mr. Moßk, Mr, Seddon «aid that correspondence was proceeding with the Imperial authorities in ref«pec to the New Zealand Ensign Bill passed last session, and he could fay that the Bill, after being slightly ajtered, 'would eventually receive the Royal assent.. ( IMPREST BOTFLY BILL. An Imprest Supply Bill fir j£570,000 was intronuced by Gov*r ' nor'n message. Mr. Seddon said the immediate pas- ' sage of the Bill was' necpssary, owing ' to the fact that the time had elapsed ' by two days in which the Government could mnke unauthorised payment*. l Captain Russell pro l es'ed egainst a ' Bill of this nature being passed before j theAddress-''n-Reply wascarrird. To drv ; so was a violation of the cons' itutior al' practice a»d principle. The financial > year'ended on 31st March, and the pro-1 per course would have been to call' Parliament together at an e-rlier date,! ( say the end of May. To piss this Bill t 1 now would be a bad p o edent, and the Home would do wrong in allowing it. ( Such a cursn as was now proposed was > without preeedent, and he hoped the H< use would agree that the'e was m ! necessity for pat sing such a Bill, and that the Government was to M-me for J putting.th-T Housi into such a p sition. J Mr Seddon moved to suspend Standing Order No. 414, in order to permit ' the Government to proceed with the ( Imprest Supply Bill. This was an ah-1 normal corditions of afiairs, and had to be dealt with as such. A short, » B ;on for the purpose of making provision of th ; s kind.would hsve been inconvenient anl I expensive, and V e considered tbe House would pass the Bill, which was m-rely I. for payment of current expenditure. I The present couree was not wi'hout I precedent and he that the 1 Crown could ask fcr a supply at »nv:' t : me. Mr. Speaker w.-uld have been | l he first to call attention to any inv- r sion of the p ivil-ges of tbe ttous\ Tf the, Hou*e had met in M.»y theie! 1 would have been no Finnr.c : al Stite- - 1 ment, bu": merely the G-v-rnor's speech ard Imprfst. Supply Bill. J Mr. H»rrs siid they reco?nised the , l Bill would have to bi passed; but. J the_ Opposition de'ired to pr.ites'i agairst the roDtinunl evasion of the S*andine Ord'rs.

Mr. J. W. Russell quoted May 'o show that a Commit< e of Supply was set up imnsedhtely after the Addre«s-in-Roply had been carried, and he asked the Speaker whether such a motion as was now proposed could be made.

SirG. M. O'Rorkewss to rule that the Premier's motion was in order.

Mr. J. Allen urged that even if it had been inconvenient for m»m>ers to atfend in "May t>>at should not have been allowed to etand in the way (f their doirg their duty to tb« colony. Sir Jts'-ph Ward ronterded that the ccuree now proposed to be taken w s not Against tho ppirit of the standing Or-'erp.

Mr. Thos. McKenzie, Captiin Russell, and Messrs. Ell and Barclay also spoke b iefly. On division, Mr. S°dd">n'« motion for the sußpersion of the Sending Orde-s was agr.ed to by 39 to 12. Gn the rro'ion *o go into Committee of Supply, Mr Seddon stated the only unusual item in tbe Bill was £60,000 for railway stores. Onthemo'ion being made for tbe serond reading of tie Imprest Supply Bill, Mr. Herries complained that a sum which teen votfd) last session for roads and bridg.-s, had not be*>n exp-nded up to 31<tt Marcb, and urged that monies vo'ed ought to be fpent irste'd of going to swdl the surp'us. Of t>-e reilwavs vot<? there remained urexpended Mr. Duncan a«ked "if a'l the money was expended by 31st March, what would krep the country goirg from that time until more monev ws voted ? Mr. Mas'ey voiced a e'mil r eompliint to that of Mr. Hemes, Bnd p inted out that this Imprest Bill askd f-r £100,0.00 more than the fiist Imprest Bill of 1 <bt sesMon.

Mr. Seddon, in replying, said the work did not s'op on the 31st March, even though the vote wos net expei ded ; and arproportionate amount wos expended during tho following t.bree mouths. No one but a political tyro wou'd siv that moneys not expended on public works would swell the surplus.

The second readiDg was agreed to on the voices, and tbe Bill pxssed through its subsequent stages without amendment.

At 5.30 tbe House adjourned till 2,30 to-morrow.