PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 28, 10 July 1902, Page 6

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

After formal busincPH had been transacted on Tuesday the House adjourned until Wednesday afternoon. In the evening Mr Sidey, the member for Cavershum, moved tho Address-in. Reply which was seconded by Mr Horneby, and after brief speeches by Messrs Witheford, E. M. Smith and McNab the debate closed. The debate was ono of the shortest on record, and its brief duration is looked upon as a good augury for a short session. During thp afternoon notice was given of a large number of, bills, many of which were old friends such Absolute Majority, Klective Executive, Referendum, Smoking by Youth's Suppression. Very little business was transacted by members on Thursday the sitting only lasting for a couple of hours. About five and twenty bills were intioduced and read a first time. The title of many of these have graced the Order Paperß during past sessions, and it is more than preibable that most of them will never be placed on the Statute Book. However they eerve a purpose by keeping the names of the introducers before the public. Friday afterno >n was taken uu with the first reading of another batch of bills, the answering of questions, and other formal business. In the evening the Acting-Premier moved the Becond reading of the Government Railways Superannuation Fund Bill, to establish a superannuation fund in connection with the Government Railways Department. He said it was scarcely necessary for him to say that, in v department which low consisted of some 8000 employee?, it was desirable that a scheme should be adopted on the lines proposed in the bill. In sketching tho scheme provided by the bill, he pointed out how the superannuation system had worked in connection with the London and North- Westesn Railway Company, and said the bill was an honest effort to meet a complex and difficult problem. He quoted extensively from figures to show how the scheme would benefit the employees of the department, and informed the House that the officers of the department had reported that the bill provided a very safe and sound Rcheme, and one that would prove beneficial to employee's as a whole. The measure was veiy favorably received, and the second readng agreed to on the voice-i, after wh'ch the House rose.