Wellington, October 4. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. BILLS ADVANCED. The Rating Bill and the Lands Im provement and Native Land Acquisi tion Bill were put through their fioal stages. SHOPS AND SHOP ASSISTANTS EILL. The Council decidedj by 19 to 14, to insist on its amendments on the Shops and Shop Assistants Bill, and Messrs Bowen, Bonar, and Reynolds were ap pointed managers to meet managers from the other House. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS BILL, Sir Patrick Buckley moved ike second reading of the Government Advances to Settlers Bill, but the de bate was adjourned till next day. CONSOLS BILL. The debate upon the second reading of the New Zealand Consols Bill, to which Mr Bowen on the previous day moved an amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months, was resumed by Mr McLean. He said the present money panic all over the world was due to general distrust. He was convinced that Government was making a grave mistake m their endeavor to withdraw money from circulation which should be devoted to developing the resources and industries of the country. Mr Kelly, m supporting the Bill, denied that it was a policy measure. Messrs Oliver and Bonar opposed the Bill. Mr Kerr strongly supported the Bill, and said if this and other policy Bills were not agreed to, pressure would be bought on the Council to pass them. Mr Whyte said it was absurd to suppose that small sums would be in vested under this Bill. Mr Reynolds opposed the Bill on the ground that the country at last election had declared against borrow ing. Sir Patrick Buckley said that after consultation with the Colonial Trea surer, he had been authorised to say that the Treasurer would, by Governor's message, reduce the amount under the Bill to half a million, extending over two years. The debate had been carried out with a stem determination to kill the Bill, and Mr Bowen had been deputed to " bell the cat," which he had done with much effectiveness. He hoped the compromise he had made would be to the satisfaction of the Council. On a division, Mr Bowen's amend ment was rejected by 16 to 13, and the second reading was carried on the voices. The Council rose at 5 p.m.
