GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 487, 14 September 1899, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. TUESDAY. The second reading of the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill was moved by the Minister for Education, and after some discussion was agreed to without a division. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TUESDAY. DREYFUS. Mr Lawry gave notice to ask if the Government had received any expression of indignation from the people of New Zealand relative to the sentence passed upon Dreyfus. FEDERATION. Replying to a question, the Premier said he did not know how the electors could be given the opportunity for an expression of opinion on the question of joining the Australian Federation. The issues of the general election were already sufficiently loaded without adding thereto the question of Fedeiation. Personally his mind was perfectly open on the subject of Federation, and until it had been better considered by the people it would be premature to express an opinion upon it. With regard to taking steps to ascertain the opinion of the electors of the colony as to State control of the liquor traffic, the Hon. the Premier says the Government do not ptopose making it one of the issues at the forthcoming election. QUESTIONS. A number of unimportant questions were replied to. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. Mr Hall-Jones laid on the table the Public Works Statement and Estimates of the year ending 31st March, 1900. The House went into Committee of Supply, a start being made with the Colonial Treasurer'sDepartment,£47,4o4, which passed without alteration. Stamps and Deeds, £25,300, also passed without alteration. The Colonial Secretary's Department, £92,035, waß partly considered without amendment.

Progress was reported and the House rose at 2 45 a.m.