CLOSE OF THE SESSION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9565, 30 December 1909, Page 5

CLOSE OF THE SESSION.

HOUSING OF PARLIAMENT,

(By Telegravh — Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Weduesday

At the couclusiou of the debate on the £400 questiou, the Committee proceeded to deal with the rest of the Estimates. Ou the Public Buildings vote, Mr Herdraau asked what were the Government's intentions iv regard to the future housiug of Parliament.

Mr R. McKenzie, Minister for Public Works, said the question of the capital of the Domiuion was not yet settled. It would be premature for him to state vow what their future iuteutious were.

Mr Herdmau expressed disappointment at the Minister's answer, and said the House ought to be informed if the Government had formulated auy scheme for the erectiou of permanent Parliamentary Buildiugs.

Mr McKenzie considered that the present accommodation would be good enough for ten years, with certain uecessary alterations, which he would have carried out during the recess.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL'S EXPENSES.

Ou the Miscellaneous Services vote, Mr Massey, referring to the item of £450 for the Solicitor-General's expenses to Loudou, asked if this had to do with the Webster claims, and if Sir Joseph Ward could inform the House how the matter stood. The Prime Minister said he could not divulge what had been douo in this couuection. Mr Massey hoped that at au early stage of next session the papers dealing with this claim would be laid before the House. THE PIAKO SWAMP. Ou the Laud and Survey vote, £-.0,371, Mr Poland raised the questiou of lauds being opened ou the Hauraki Plains (Piako Swamp), aud conteuded that this should be cut up into areas not exceeding one hundred acres _ach. The laud was well fitted for settlement in small areas. The Prime Minister promised he would look]iuto the matter, but the areas would not exceed three hundred acres. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES PASSED. The Supplemeutary Estimates were passed before the House adjourned at six o'clock.