HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume xxx, Issue 9451, 29 September 1899, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2 30

The Police Pensions and Superanuation Fund Bill was introduced by Governor's message, and read a first time.

ihe Imprest Supply Bill (No 3) was introduced, and set down for consideration* to»morrow.

The Premier moved that a contingent of mounted rifles be offered the Imperial Government for service in the Transvaal, and that in the event of the offer being accepted the Govern, ment be empowered, after.the selection by a committee and the Commander of the Forces, to provide, equip, and despatch the force. Ihe Premier said he moved the motion with great sense of responsibility,, as the House was called upon to provide heavy expenditure, while some of the men who might go to the Transvaal might never return. He proceeded to explain the details of the proposal. The men would have to provide their own horses, but would be paid according to the scale in volunteer regulations, and their passages paid. The coat was estima ed at £50 per day, and would probably mean a total' expenditure cf £20,000. If the offer was made the work should be done well, and the cost should be entirely borne by the colony. If the House thought the men should be insured the Government was prepared to do so. The men will be selected, the age ranging from 23 to 40. The I'remier proceeded to give reasons why New Zsaland should share the cost of maintaining the solidarity of the Empire. Captain Russell considered that it was a great privilege to second the motion. The Imperial Government had taken every means to avert a conflict with the Boers, and the offer of New Zealand would show that it was in sympathy with their kinsmen in South Africa in their trouble.

The discussion lasted till 6.15, when the House adjourned after singing the National Anthem.

Evening Sitting,

The House met *t 7.30,

A new clause made by the Council in the Employment of Boys ox Girls Without Payment Prevention Bill was disagreed with, and after considerable discussion a Committee was appointed to draw up reasons for disagreement. The House adjourned at 10 30. September 29.

After the Telegraph Office closed, on the motion for ;he third reading of Payment of Jurors Bill, an amendment was moved to recommit the Bill, with a view to making certain amendments altering the scale of payment. The third reading was set down for to-morrow.

The House rose at 12.30.