PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1006, 26 September 1903, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. Tho House met at 2.30. In tho Houso yesterday tho Domains Act Amendment Bill (Duncan) was road a second time pro forma, and referred to the Lands Committee. Mr Mills moved tho second roading of tho Cook and Other Islands Government Act Amendment Bill to make better provision for tho Government of the Cook Group.

NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION. The Imprest Supply Bill for £517,000 was introduced by Governor’s message. On tho motion for second reading Mr Bedford moved as an amendment that the Bill bo road a second time six months hence, as an indication that tho House has no confidence in tho Ministry as at present constituted. Mr Seddon said that members who voted for tho amendment would practically bo saying that civil servants’ salarios should not bo paid for six months. A lengthy debate took place, in which several members, while expressing dissatisfaction with the constitution of tho Ministry, urged that tho timo was not opportune for such an amondmont, and in any case it should not bo brought forward by an irresponsible momber of the Houso. Mr Bedford’s amendment was rejected by 45 to 19. Tho Houso resumed at 7.30. Tho Houso was occupied tho whole evening discussing tho Imprest Supply Bill in its various stages. Members of the Opposition urged tho necessity for retrenchment in departmental expenditure. Mr Seddon said that as far as the Government could it had been reducing its expenditure, but the growing domandsof tho colony had to bo mot. It had not boon shown whero tho estimato could bo cut down.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'. The Council mot at 2.80. In tho Legislative Council yesterday tho Commissioners Bill and Interpretation Act Amendment Bill passed through Committee with technical amendments. Tho second roading of the Water Power Bill was carried on the voices, and the House roso at 12.30 a.m. Tho Commissioners and Interpretation Act Amendment Bills passed tho final stages. Tho Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Bill was road a second time pro forma.