PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19141, 26 October 1927, Page 9

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SEVERAL LITTLE BILLS. i (PM3S ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, October '2'. lu the House of Representatives today, Mr B, P. Hudson brought down tho report of tho A to L Public Petitions Committee, on the petition of Morton Aldis and sixteen others, praying that an enquiry be held into the management of the Jubilee Institute for tho Blind. The Committee reported that it br.il no recommendation to make. In tho discussion which followed. Mr Sidcy (Duncdin South) suggested 'that the Committee might have gone a little further and said that not only was it satisfied that tho petitioners had not established their case, but that they (the Committee) were satisfied with the administration of the Institute. Other members agreed that the evidence had shown that the administration of the Institute was admirable, and that Mr Clutha Mackenzie was doing excellent work there. Tho report of the Committee was adopted. Heather in National Park. The Hon. Mr MeLeod moved the second reading of the Tougariro National Park Amendment Bill, which, ho said. was designed to conserve tho iiatur.il beauties of this great natural domain, and to control tho introduction of plant, bird, and auimal life to that area. There had been a good deal of criticism in connexion with tho introduction of lioather into tho National Park. This had been done years beforo it was ever contemplated constituting the region a park, and personally he did not regret it, because ho thought it gavo added beauty to the landscape without any risk at all. Mr J. A. Leo (Auckland East) contended that tho Park was a National one, and should Tbe kept exclusively for New Zealand shrubs and plants, and though it might not be possible to eradicate the heather now, he hoped that in future no like plant would be introduced. Mr Field (Otaki) said that,recent investigations had shown that the heather was not spreading as fast as many supposed, and that it was not the menace it was at first thought to be. Mr Hockly (Rotorua) said the great valuo of tho National Park was as a health resort. If people used 'it more in this way, thero would be loss need for the services of Dr. Voronoff. lie defended the planting of heather on thn park, the great stretches, of purple bloom adding to tho beauty of the hillsidos. Tho Bill was read a. second tima.

. Kauri Gum. The Hon. Mr McLeod moved -j In? second reading of the Kauri Gum Industry Amendment Bill, which, lie said, provided for the' prohibition of the holding by the same person of a gum broker's license and a gum buyer's license. Commissioners of Crown Lands were to issue digging licenses, while brokers' and buyers' licenses would iii future be issued by the Kauri Gum Control Board. The Bill was read a second time. Post Office Accounts. By Governor-General's Message the Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill was introduced. The Hon. Mr Nosworthy said that the first 15 clauses for -the setting up of a separate Post Office account outside the Treasury. This step was due to the commercial activity of the Department, nnd had .-the concurrence of the Treasury and the Minister for Finance. The remainder of the Bill dealt with wireless and minor matters connected with the Department, which he would explain ou the second reading: I In ropjy to Mr Howard, the Minister said that the Bill did not provide for a Wireless Board, but he was considering the setting up o/ such a.Board. Tlje Bill was read a first time. Fertilisers. motion .that the Fertiliser Bill be committed, the Minister for Agriculture said the Bill had returned from the Stock Committee in much the same form as it was introduced into the House. It was necessary because the last Fertiliser Bill was passed 'many years .ago, and in the meantime methods of treating fertilisers had changed considerably. The Bill was baßod on the experience of other countries. New Zealand annually used 360,000 tons of ,manures, valued at neatly two million /pounds, bo that it.was a fairly large business, and required watching.. The more manures were usod the better the results would be, and this Bill would give farmers greater confidence in the quality of the fertilisers supplied. The Bill was read a second time, and the House went into Committee on Bills. The Fertiliser Bill, the Kauri Gum Industry -Amendment Bill, and the Stock Act Amendment Bill were re- , ported without . amendment, read a third time, and passed. Progress was reported on the Noxious Weeds Amendment Bill. The House rose at 1.35 a.m.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (PBBSS ASSOCIATION TBLEOEAM.) WELLINGTON. October 25. In the Legislative Council to-day, the Bankruptcy Amendment Bill was reported from the Statutes Revision Committee with amendments, and the Guardianship of Infants Amendment Bill and tho Police Offences Amendment Bill without amendments. The Apprentices Amendment Bill and the Apiaries Bill were put through their final stages and passed without amendments. The Land Laws Amendment Bill and the Shops and Offices' Amendment Bill were received from the House, read a first time, read a second time pro forma, and referred to • the Standing Committees. The Council adjourned at 4.40 p.m. until to-morrow.