PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8223, 29 August 1906, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

legislative council. By Telegraph—Press Association."] WELLINGTON, August 28.g The Council met at '2.30 p.m. Hon. H. B\ Wigram, on rosuming the Address-iu-Reply, favoured the appointment of a colonial of/icer in succession to General tiabiogfcon. Hon. W. Beehan dealt gene! ; lly with the workers and the administration of the Arbitration Act". He said that a few amendments m the Act were necessary if it was to work as satisfactorily as it should. The Attorney-General (Hon. A. Pitt) said that there was nothing calling for reply to the remarks made respecting the contents of the Governor's Bpeeoh. Hon. A. Baldey agreed with Hon. J. Rigg that every* young man in the colony should bo instructed in the use of arms. On the motion of Hon. H. Feldwick, the debate was adjourned until to-morrow.

The Council rose at 4.45 p.m

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.40 p.m. The Premier explained to the House that he was unable to make good bis promise of last week to place the reciprocity treaty with the CommonweaHh before the House that afternoon. The faot was that the difficulties iu the way of the necessry uniformity of treatment have proved greatar than it was , anticipated. Negotiations were proceeding front hour to hour and he saw every probability of being able to place the treaty on the table on Thursday next. The Premier gave notice that on the next sitting day ho would move that Mr JR. Mackenzie be appointed Chairman of Committees.

The following'Seasiunal Committees were set up:—Petitions, M to Z, Classification of Petitions, Education and Parliamentary Library. The Minister of Justioe, in troving the second reading of the Habitual Criminals and Offenders Bill, said it was a new departure in a direction much discussed of late by the press and philanthropic societies, and it was very interesting to all well-wishers of the race. He had, after much enquiry from experts, come to the] conclusion to take the course of detention proposed in the measure, instead of adopting the indeterminate seuteuoe so widely suggested. It seemed to him that before taking so serious a step as the incarceration for life of any individual, a good deal more experience is required than there is at present at his command. Much of that experience the working of this measure would supply. New South Wales had passed an Act of this nature last year, and he had been assured that it was driving the habitual criminals ot that State over here. The House would see tnat consideration of self defence added foroe to the necessity for jpassiug the measure. Opinions would differ rnuob as to the proposed classittca'ion of offenders, and the number of conviotfons speoified as required to establish habitual crime. On these points be would be glad to have the mind of the House. He thought at the same time the House would accept the by which the question of final release by reason of reform of the detained habitual criminal, or for other valid reasons, would be left to the independent judgment of the Supremo Court. Messrb Sidey, T. Mackenzie, Baume, Hogg, Barclay and Poole discussed the measure. The second reading was agreed to. Tho Minister of Justioe, in moving the second reading of the Juvenile Offenders Bill, explained that he had obtained favourable cuinmeut about the Bill from many persons, from Magistrates and others who understood the question. He detailed the provisions of the measure. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The' House resumed at 7.30 p.m. On the motion of Mr YV. Baume, the debate on the seoorni reading of the Juvenile Offenders Bill was adjourned. ESTIMATES. The Estimates for tbu current year w&ve brought down by Governor's message, and referred to a Cominiee of Supply. FINANCIAL STATMENT. On the motion of the Promier. Mr K. Mackenzie was voted to the Committee phair, und the House went into Committee of Supply. Sir J. Ward read the Statement. The Committee agreod to report progress. The Chairman having so roported to the Speaker, Mf Massey asked the Preimer when ha proposed to take the Financial Debate. The Premier said lie would leave it to honourable members to choose Friday evening or Tuesday. He would bo ready iu any case. ! The House adjourned at 8.40 p.m. The estimates of expenditure "provide a grant to the widow of the late Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddou, Proinior of the oolou.v, of £6,000."