THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 45, 5 December 1913, Page 9

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

PRECEDENT ESTABLISHED

Mil MALCOLM'S DISTINCTION

WELLINGTON, Dec. 12. Mr Malcolm (Chairman of Committees) haa tin, distinction oi havhiff established a precedent m Failiamentary procedure. While ho claimed to have based his ruling on precedents both in the House of Commons and in the House of Representatives, yet he can say without tear ot contradiction that ho so elaborated upon them as to have made a new one. lhere was a considerable difference between the House of Commons precedent, and that just put into lorcc. The obstructing minority in the Commons was compara-tively-small and the same may be said of that in the House of Representatives incident of 1881. The present Opposition 'in New Zealand is very large as coninared with the total membership of the House. It is obvious that persistent obstruction cannot be tolerated. 'Vlore especially so when the speeches delivered during the obstruction are extremely frivolous. Mr Malcolm.was certainly justified in the course ho adopted. But such precedents are doubleedged. It may bo that within a few sessions the Government Party will find tho precedent quoted against it. it is also worth remembering that Mr Seymour (Chairman of Committees) lost Ins seat "at the following election to the session in which he ruled against the stonewal.'a of ISBI.

STAMP DUTIES AMENDMENT. The Stamp Duties Amendment Bill wlv'eh passed the House on Thursday ni»ht. prov'des that stamp duty shall be" collected on exchanged property. Tho system of exchanging laud rather than Straight-out >a!cs has heroine very reunion in the North ami giauua I;y increasing in Southland. Up to the present time stamp duty has not „<eii collected on the amounts representeu by the exchanges. The system of exchange is interesting from the fact that it is customary for one or both parties to place a fictitious value, unon, their pro- ; pertios for this purpose. This has the effect of increasing the valuations generally in the district. The result is .that'peoole who wish to hold their farms or other properties are obliged to pay rates and taxes upon a valuation that they know is not a true one. The imposition of stamp duty will, it is hoped, have a deterrent effect upon these exchanges.

ASSISTING FRUIT-GROWERS, The fruit industry is to be assisted in a practical manner by the Government. A Bill has been introduced under which a stun of £25,000 is to be raised at a rate of interest not exceeding 3 r.cr cent. This money is to be used lor making advances for the pur-, pose of establishing cold stores for iruit and fruit-canning and other works in connection with the preservation of fruit. These advances are to bo at the rate of 5} per cent and for such a term as shall be agreed unon. They are to be made upon the freehold or other inmterest in the laud. The Bill was welcomed by both sides of the House. Those members who represent fruit-growing districts were ver-" enthusiastic as to the beneficial effect the Act would have unon the industry. There is an unlimited market for fruit in South America and England. The pumice and gum lands of the North Island are eminently suited for growing apples and other fruits. The Prime Minister told the House, that he expected shortly to Bee a tremendous increase in the area of land under fruit. Tho industry has everv prospect of heim' one of the most valuable in the Dominion.

SECOND BALLOT REPEAL. During the discussion on tho second ballot rnpoal tho Opposition accused the Government of rushing tin' Bill through the House in order that it might apply to the Lyttelton election. "When the Bill had passed l the Legislative Council Mr Massey stated that it would not apply to that election. If necessary he would have an amendment made by Governor's message. There was no reason why the Bill should not apply to the Lyttelton election. It was therefore magnanimous of Mr Massey to voluntarily hold over the operations of the Bill. But as a matter fact it is not at all certain that the Liberal and Red Fed alliance will win the Lyttelton seat.

power, to prevent this person landing in New Zealand. k :.' ■'■'■''

NATIVE LAND AMENDMENT,

The Native Land Act Amendment Bill which was read a second time on Friday night alters the nolic-v regarding native lands considerably. The Government hopes to improve the method previously in vogue of dealing with native affairs. Whether it will be successful is largely a matter of conjecture. Hon. W H Hemes (Minister for Native Affairs) is well versed on the subject. He believes that the Maoris' salvation lief in another direction to that in which he lias been journeying He intends toi give the race a chance under different, conditions. MATRIMONIAL AMENDMENT. The most interesting feature in the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill, introduced in the Conns': I, is the provision that if a married woman, while living separately from her husband, has been for any period (whether before or after the commencement of this Bill) habitually and without just cause left bv him without reasonable maintenance he shall be deemed to have deserted her wilfully, and, tor that period have deserted her, whether her separation from her husband has taken place or been continued by mutual consent or by virtue of a judicial tlerrce or order under any Act. It is also nrovided thai decrees absolute may bo made on tho application of the r.cspsmd'.'iib.

1-ILIR BRIGADES AMENDMENT

'i'lic Fire Hrigiules Amendment Bdi (Hon. H. 1). Bell) provides for expenditure liv boards on nroviding iu any building owned by a board moan-, of recreation for members of brigades, and lor Mil' n;n-ii'.(>nt of oxivif'es < i any member alieiKlir.g any demonstration or confereiue of the United Brigades' Association, and nayment of expenses of members of boards attontling conferences. Provision is also made that every broker, a<?ent or other person who negotiates any contract to insure against ure. any property in New Zealand an behalf Of any insurance company not carrying on 'business in New Zealand shall be deemed to be an insurance company.

LICENSING LEGISLATION. The Government has not decided to introduce a Licensing Bill this session. This will disappoint a large number of people. It would have been wiser to nave dropped seme of the minor moaiMirivs before the House and to have gone on with a Liquor Bill. Next session there will be almost certainly a revision of the majority on the national issue. Cards pricked by Messrs Mander (Marsden) and lsitt' (Christehurch North) show that, there are 45 members in the nrcseiH House of lienresentatives in favor of the 45-55 majority instead oi the 40-(iC) on the national issue. This being the case, the majority can be altered if the clause is pressed. But there are several other amendments to bo made in the licensing law which may meet with even greater hostility than the majority. The Government therefore came to the- conclusion that it would be inadrisable to bring up a Licensing Bill. Messrs Mander and lsitt liavo been doing some mild lobbying to ascertain what the opponents to the alteration were likely to do should a Bill be introduced this session. It was ascertained that if the majority alone were dealt with there would be a stonewall set up but not a strong one; if, on the other hand, it were intended to deal with other niatters_ the Bill would be blocked as effectively as the standing orders would allow.