PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2240, 11 July 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

AFTERNOON BITTING,

[Press Association.] • WELLINGTON, July 10. 'I The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. . | Hon. J. Marshall resumed tho debate on the Address-iii-Roply, stating that cheap freights and American ' competition were a serious menace to industry in tho Dominion. He con--1 grutulated tho Government on its policy to develop tho mining industry and the utilisation of water power for electrical energy. Hon. F. Trask advocated conciliation in the settlement of industrial disputes nnd the transportation of agitators. If tho scat of government was to be changed, Nelson should have the preference. Hon. J. Anstey thought tho industrial crisis most serious. As to tho farm laborers, he believed it was.impossible to have a fair award. A | The Council adjourned at 5 p.m'.HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. I AFTERNOON SITTING. Tho House met at 3.30 p.m. The Standing Orders Committee reported that the Wellington Harbor Board Bill was a private Bill. I The Workers Compensation for Accident Bill \vas read a first time, j The Prime Minister moved that a committee be set up to act with a committee of the Legislative Council in . considering the best site for rebuilding Parliament Buildings. An amendment was moved by Dir. AV. T. Wood that the committee consider sites at Nelson, Marlborough, Manawatu, and Wairarapa, with a view to the erection of a new capital for the Dominion. The Prime. Minister said that the intention had been that the question to he considered was as to re-building in Wellington, but if tho idea was also to consider the question of sites then tho re-erection would be indefinitely postponed. Moreover, the .question should be worth a Royal Commission wlrcli would visit the various parts of the colony. Dir. Massey could not see how the seat of government could be changed except at the cost of millions. He moved an amendment that Nelson, Dlarlborough, and AVairarapa be struck out.

This was agreed to. Dir. Dlassey further moved that the committee to consider the question of re-erection select some suitable site for re-building in the Dominion, and state the approximate cost. This was also agreed to. The Prime Dlinister considered it would cost considerably more than £2,000,000 to create a new capital on State-owned property. Dir. J. Allen said the time was opportune for changing the site. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. EVENING”SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The debate on the motion to set up a committee to inquire into sites for the rebuilding of Parliament House was continued by Dlessrs Gray, Dlasecy, and Hali-jbnes, who said that the library wing would have to be raised off the ground as the fire had perished the mortar, AA T . Fraser nnd others,

The Premier said the plans for the new buildings must be decided upon by the Executive, and not by the committeo,

After several members had spoken all amendments were rejected. The motion was then carried on the voices. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill was committed. Dir. J. Allen criticised the schedule to the Bill.

The Prime Dlinister replied, explaining and defending the Government’s railway policy. Tiie Bill was reported without-* amendment, and was read-a third flime and passed. '