Parliamentary Notes.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12144, 21 September 1907, Page 5

Parliamentary Notes.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'S POWER.

(By Telegraph.)

(From Our Special Parliamentary Reporter.}

WELLINGTON, September 20. The limited power of the Legislative Councils to deal with, money Bills was. the cause of a short but interesting passage of arms yesterday afternoon between the Hon. T. Kelly awd the Hon. Dr. Findlay (Attorney-General). It was stated by the Hon. Seymour Thorne George that the Government wished the Bill to be put through that day. as delay was causing inconvenience to importers. Therefore he hlad decided not to make aiijy contribution to the debate. . , , "I think we should not pay the slightest attention to it," declared vhe Hon. T. Kelly. "We are here to do the best we can for the interests of the colony as a whole; and mot for the importers." He added that double the time had previously been taken on a tariff debate, and lie saw ido reason wihy th© Council should restrain its debating! power. The Hon. Dr.. FindTiay explained that there was no desire to gag the House. If the hon. gentleman wished to speak for a week he would patiently listen to him.

The Hon. T.. Kelly said Irs opinion was that the Council had greater powers than the right merely to accept or reject the Bill. If they found something objectionable it could, set jt aside, just, as the Legislative Council in South Africa and Western Australia had done.

The Attorney-General asked what was the difference "between this and rejedtioig the. Bill? The Hon. T. Kelly: We can lay it aside until the objectionable clauses are taken out. No opposition was offered to the Bill, whidh went through all" its stages at that sitting and was passed.