PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 962, 7 August 1903, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. Tho Council mot at 2.80. Tho Counties Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, pro forma. HOUSE OF - REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. In reply to Mr Herdmau, Mr Duncan said that ho was instituting enquiries as to tho loss of sheep in tho high country in Otago and Canterbury, owing to tho ro cent sovero weather, and it would depend upon the result of these enquiries whether the Government would bring In a Bill for the relief of pastoral tenants, as was done in 1895. Several local Bills were advanced a stage. Sir W. J. Steward’s Eleotoral Act Amendment Bill and Sir W. J. Steward's Marriages Restriction Removal Bill were read a second time, pro forma. Mr Field’s Dramatic Copyright Bill was road a second time fay 38 to 17. The House resumed at 7.30.

The dobato on tho second roading of Sir W. J. Steward’s Eleotive Executive Bill was resumed and continued throughout the evening. Amongst a large number of speakers was Mr Seddon, who ridiculed tho Bill, and regretted tho time of the House being wasted over it. He desoribed its supporters as tho “ out tho painter ” party, for if tho eleotivo system was carried into effeot it would mean the severance of our connection with tho Mother Country. (Cries of No).