HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8061, 13 July 1904, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, Jolt 13. , . MORNING SITTING. The House- met at 1.0.30 a.m. FIRST>KEADINGS 4 The following Government Bills wfere read a first time:— Land Agents*, Fertilisers, Domain Boards, Mining"" Companies, ■ Criminal Code Ameiiii&^/rG^fefc^ l^ \ Lott^ies," andMKb '^^WW^^^^^i ? : Thittv^ini^iiies wejjfr.; ocp^p^^irt' dis-' . inrni MM.rrhjiM'" Order.^Pii^srs •f--wer&<-.not • '*Tho Bri&ier complained that the fault lav with tho printing office. 'The leader of the Opposition threw the blame en tho Gov<;rnnienfc> and ultimately the Premier moved for an adjournment till 11.30. • The division resulted in a tie, and as th© time had expired, the Speaker geve his casting vote against, the adjournment. The Order Papers arrived at this stage. REPLIES. TO QUESTIONS. • Ministers, in answer to questions, replied:—That no well-grounded application for the effective equipment of technical classes in the colony had been refused; the matter of increased capitation to Cadet Corps had not escaped attention but no general demand had been madei and Cadet Corps should not be taiighf) to relytoo much on the Government, or they might lose their self-reliant spirit; advertising for- applications fltf labour to be made through the Labour Bureaux would be costly, the advertising bill of. the colony was already £16,000 ; the PrAmier would make inquiries as to what the cost would be if the old. age pensions were made'universal* and what the increased amount wo*tild he if made payable to women , of sixty instead of sixty -five ; an amending Land for Settlements Bill would be intro* duced this session ; Government could not give notice to local bodies when loans are not available, they were well aware of the tightness at present of the money market. Government would not introduce a Bill for the election of Justices of the Peace, etc. ; Sir Joseph Ward was willing to offer the Extension! of Commerce Committee an opportunity of inquiring into the colony's trade relations with British 'and foreign *ountries. and thought it wotild be advanta-ge-mis if the repor>of the committee, with the evidence taken, were forwarded to the British Board of Trade; no hard and fast rule could be laid down as to the minimtun wago of 8s for labourers in the Railway Department; the Agent-General would be ' instructed £o give quotations for, grain in' his weekly market. cable reports. The usual adjournment "was moved, in, order to discuss the replies.