HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 52, 25 November 1907, Page 9

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

.ANIMALS PROTECTION BILL, In the early hours of Saturday morning the-:Houso of Representatives dealt further \ with tho Animals Protection Bill in Committee.-. ■ . ■ ■■.■■> . ■. . • The powers of the Governor to make regulations in regard to coursing and pigcon- . 'shooting woro restricted to "regulating," "prohibiting", boirig struck out^ A new clause.was added, prohibiting duckshooting from cylinders as practised on Lake Ellosmert. . ' Bill was afterwards put through its final -stages. . . '" . . : EVANS BAY RECLAMATION. ' ■ "When tbo Reserves and other Lands Disposal, and Public Bodies Empowering Bill was 'in . Committee, Messrs. W. Fr.ascr and Sym'es objected strongly to Clauso 54, which authorises the Wellmijton' Harbour Board ■ to acquire land adjoining the proposed re : claraation at Evans Bay. They declared that .the proposal amounted to confiscation

of the land of private persons for profitmaking purposes on tho part of tho Board. These views wero combated by Messrs. Aitken, Barber, and Izard. When tho Bill came up for third reading Mr. Symes called for a division. • Tho -Bill was read a third timo by 32 to 7, arid passed. LANDLESS NATIVES. The Ngntimaru Landless Natives Bill and tho Purangi Landless Natives Bill were read a second timo without discussion, on the motion of the Nativo Minister (Hon. J. Carroll), put rapidly through Committee without amendment, read a third time, and passed. The Hoiiso roso at 4.5 a.m. i MAORI LANDS. The House mot at 11.30 a.m. on Saturday. Tho Maori Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Further Amendment (a washing-up Bill) was committed. ' ■ JohnsonvilJe 'Reserve. The Bill contains a clause enabling compensation to-bo paid for lands taken under the Public Works Act by the Johnsonville Town Board for recreation purposes.' Tho amount awarded by the Compensation Committee was £4000, and power is given to pay forthwith £1000, and issue debentures for the remaining £3000 at the rato of 5 percent, per.annum. ... The V/nimarama Estate. -...-. The Minister moved a new sub-clause to give offect td_ a portion of the report of tho Koyal. Commission validating cortain leases granted by Nativos to Miss Gertrude Helon Moincrtzhagon. .The land was part of the Waimarama block, and the area proposed to be validated was 5000 acres. Tho rent was to be 6s. per annum. The proposal was a readjustment of the well-known Waimarama case.

Mr. A. L D. Frascr Objects. Mr.A. L. D. Frasor opposed the clause. He recalled the refusal of tlio Nativo Land Board to grant- the lease, and the reason for this, he said, was .that the declaration of 'lease was not registered prior to execution. It was wrong for Parliament to,validate only transactions.where there had boon unsuccessful recourse to law. These leases should be presented to the Board, and the Board should enquire into them. : The Hon. Carroll said they merely proposed to give effect to tho> recommendation of the commission.. . . . ■ .■■■., ■ Mr. AVilford objected to allotting legislation till thoy kiiow its. likely effects. Ho wanted to understand the clause, to know all facts connected with it. He know nothing of the case except that Miss Mcincrtzhagen had sought redress 'at Court after Court. He moved to add to the- clause tho words "Subject to the passing' of legislation authorising the same." This would put tho measure off till next year. Mr. MacScy: "I think we know all about it. 1 . , •■. ; . .-. . : ■ .... Mr. Eraser; siiid that Natives had asked to give ovidenco before the Nativo Affairs Committee on tho matter, but becauso this was a policy measure they could not bo heard. iThoclauso was tho result'of ex parte, evidence. It should not come down at this period of the session, ■ • The Minister Explains. . y : 'The. Minister-repeated that the clause was -the result of the.report of the Commission. Tho recommendation was that a certain area in a 'certain part of the.block should bo given to' Miss Meinertzhagon. Crown purchases had been. ( .carried .on over, certain portions of'ltjio b'job'k. ; : ' Provisioni was. made hero .that Crown leases may riot interfere With the carrying into effect of the .recommendation. ....'. .'. . ■ .'..,' ." „'

'"Mr. Wilford wanted information regarding the report of tho Commission. . Mr. Massey handed him the document iri question.-. ; Mr. Wilford said he was not,going to vote if he could not get information on this matter. i . . . . • ■ A 'Member: Stone-wall. Mr. Wilford said it was no stone-wall on his part. Mr. ■ Frascr spoke, again, and then the clause was formally road a t second time. . Mr. Ngata. said .the Commission. had suggested that, the rent should bo 7s. per acre. The clauso proposed 6s. Ho thought, in tho interests of tho Natives, the report, of the Commission should bo a-dhored to. Mr. Fraser ..quoted the price of adjoining land, 'and said he would promise to -get 10s. per acre for the lease. "Fair, honest, and legitimate," ' The Minister said the lease in the first place had been entered into con anions, and the price was ss. per acre. The Natives, in fact, would have ■ given over the . wholo of the area., Now, becauso of certain' technicalities''regarding registration,' the' lease could not be given effect to. Tho point was that the land had been leased to the lady in a bona-fide' manner, and, viewing all the circumstances and the report of the Commission, what Parliament proposed to do was a fair, honest, and •legitimate thing. All who know the case would admit Miss Meinertzhagon was ontitled to' some' consideration. It ;ivas'a case demanding special legisr latioh,'' ' • • ... Mr. Massey read from tho report of tho Commission to , show that 7s. was the ex : treriie value of tho land, but thoy had fixed that sum in. accordance with tho Statute. Ho bolieved tho Commission had misunderstood the Statute. Under tho Act under which the land was taken the rent would roally be less than that charged. There were also tho local rates to pay, and they were very, high. Six shillings was not too low a rent, thorofore. He protested against further delay at tho /present stage; why riot get to a vote? - Mr. Frasor proceeded that he wanted every detail'to come out. The Minister -was, not doing justice to tho Native owners. ■ Cries of " question." ■ Mr. Wilfonl's amendment was then put, and tho division resulted in it being negatived by. 45 to 3 (applause). Tho members voting for the amendment wero Messrs. Frascr, Wilford, and Dillon. \ ■ Mr. Ngata moved to raise the rent to 7s. Lost on the voices. . The Bill was then reported. Third Reading. Speaking on tho third reading Mr. Fraser further protested against tho clause. Ho termed it ." jobbery," and was called upon to withdraw. He then called it duplicity. At 5.30 it was'decided to coutinuo sitting till six o'clock.

The Premier said he was not going deeply into this, matter. The' Commission had reported in a certain direction, and a petition having been laid before the committco the latter had gone into it as a policy matter, and ovidenco was not therefore taken. They had decided to accept the roport of the Commission. Five shilling!; per aero was tho amount of tho rent paid to the Natives in the tirst instance. No pressure had boon brought to bear on the' Government by. anyone ovor this point. Personally, his miiid had been open until all information was available from tho inquiry. They had decided that tho recommendation of' tho Commission was the proper course to follow, and oftor going into all tho facts had concluded that six shillings, which was half way between the two sums, was a fair rent. The caso could not have been settled by the Court owing to technicalities. Their desire tp.do what was fair, to the Natives was embodied in tho clauso.

Mr. Herries contended that if tho recommendation of the Native Affairs Committeo had boon carried out in roganl to certain Native legislation under it, Miss Meinertzhagen would havo boon bettor dealt with. It was sho, therefore, who had reason to complain at jobbery if there was any, not the member for Napier. If thero was any jobbery it was on the part of those opposed to the lady. But that was another storv,

Mr. Mas'sey spoke briefly in favour of the legislation, pointing out that under it only justice would be done.

The ,'jill was then read a third time by 43 to 4, and passed. ! OTHER BILLS. Tho recommendations of the joint conference on- the Factories Act Amendment Bill were agreed to. . • ■ An amendment to tho Public Service Classification Bill was introduced by Governor's Message.- Tho amendment was to mnko the salaries of the clerk and cleric assistant of ithe Legislative Council tho same as those of the officers.of liko riwk in the House. Tho Premier stated that no incroaso of actual emolument was involved. The amendment was agreed to. i An amendment to the Reserves and other Lands Vesting and Publie Bodies Empowering Bill was introduced by Governor's Message and agreed toj tho effect being to roqtiiro gas companies to obtain tho consent of the Governor before breaking up streets. , The Preniior moved tho second reading of tho Counties Act Amendment Bill. Ho explained that it proposed to givo to any County Council the power to decide that the cost of main roads shall bo borno by tho county as a whole, and tho cost of district roads by the ridings whore they arc situated. Mr. Lang and Mr. Fraser concurred with the Premier that the Bill was based on resolutions of tho Counties Conference, and was uigently needed to validate arrangements already in force. The Bill was put quickly through all its stages, an amendment being added, on the motion of Mr. E. G. Allen, giving County ■Councils additional rating powers for sanitary purpdses. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. The Supplementary Estimates were brought down.by -Governor's Message at 8.25 o'clock. Various Exhibitions. - • Mr. Herries referred to the .sum, £3000 Franco-British Exhibition, London, May, It/u8 (on account)," also to '' £500 Irish Inte'rnational Exhibition," and "expenses of ex.hibit at Australian Natives' Association Exhibition, Melbourne, £265." The Premier replied that the FrancoBritish Exhibition was a big affair, and tho question was (in regard; to the other exhibitions also) whether , it was wise to stand otit when all other countries wore advancing their interests. He thought it was not. Nightcaps Disaster. ' Mr. Aitken drew attention to the item, "expenses of' Hoyal Commission Nightcaps disaster," and asked what action was being ■taken in regard to the report. Tho Minister replied that tho Government were taking proceedings on> the report in consequence of the lives lost. Until tnese proceedings were complete they did not know what the result, would be. Rain-making. Mr. Massey referred to the item, " expenses in connection With rain-making experiments at Oamaru." It wjs, very little use putting down tohungaism, he said, if this sort of thing was to continue. He hoped this would be tlio last of it: ' ' '■

The Premier/replied that tho people of the district had been in very great distress owing to want of rain, and the intention of the oxporiment ho need not refer to, except 'to say that the want of rain was so serious to those who were losing sheep and stock tnac any expedient whatever was not ,to be neglected. They had had it represented that rain could bo obtained by explosions in the air, and a scientific gentleman had been sent down. A pound for pound subsidy was not a very largo expenditure. (Murmurs.) Well, if members had been in ■ the district they ■would have appreciated the, distress of the people. Tho money was not thrown away. ■ -Mr. Aitkon . said- , evoryone ; . had sympathy with the people,' but it ;wa's no remedy, to take, a hundred or so pounds and throw, it up in the air. (Laughter,) It was , a fatuous policy. Nature would not be affected by shooting a pop-gun up in the air. ' The Premier said there had been the samo experiments elsowhere. i

"But no results have comq," cried voices;- : ",Rain has followed," said Mr. Poolo. (Dissent and layghter.) Dominion Day Expenses.' \ ; .'..- ..-.. ; Mr. Aitken referred to £3000 expenses in connection with nonunion Dav celebration's (£ISOO medals if){ scjijool children "and celebration expenses '£1500). He thought the surii was too great. The Premier 'said as to the medals' that a desire had been made for their distribution amongst: tho : schools.'. Native Land commission.' On the item regarding expenses of. the Native Land Commission, Mr.' Massey, said that the principle laid down in all countries as to judges of the Supremo Court was that they should.bo paid a salary and travelling expenses, and' omolumonts; should end:there A judge, should be above any suspicion of influence. Hβ did'riot suggest" such a thing hpre, but the principle was absolutely wrong. The same applied to members of the Houso. No payment should be made to a member of the House: which' was at all. likoly to affect his independence as a representative of a . . Sweated Exhibits. ! In roply to Mr. Arnold, the Minister said the whole expense'-of showing tho, sweated goods over tho Dominion was £300. Mr. Arnold suggested tho exhibits should now be burnt. To make a bon-firo would bo the § proper end for them. ' The Minister said they wero at present 1 stacked in the Department stores. Probably they would remain there. Meat Inspection. ■,■■■•'•■ .Replying to Mr. Herries as to expenses in connection with meat inspection at : Homo, the Minister for Agriculture said that a groat many of the charges against New Zealand meat were groundless, and wero made by men who knew nothing about tho matter. There wore cases whore meat which was quito sound was condemned as diseased. It was his intention to establish an. officer at Homo, and arrangements would bo made by Mr. Koakes, who would proceed to England. At present an English veterinary surgeon was acting at Home, but a veterinary surgeon would bo sent from the Dominion. LOCAL BILLS. ■Tho Supplementary Estimates completed tho Committeo'stagos without amendment at 10.15 p.m., and tho Houso then proceeded to deal with six local Bills that still remained on- tho Order Paper. / The Christchurch District Drainage Bill (Mr. Davey) was put through Committco, but the Murchison County Bill (Mr. R. M'Kenzie), objected to by the West Coast momhers, was having a bad passago when the Premier moved to report progress on it. Mr. R. M'Konzie protested against tho attitude of the member for Grey and others towards tho Bill, and threatened to speak on the Appropriation Bill for an hour, thus keeping tho House until Monday. (Indignation.) Members protested, and tho temporary Chairman soyeral times "put tho question." Mr. M'Konzie raised one or two points-of-order, until Mr. Aitkon, who was in the Chair, said tho member had reached his speech-limit, and got tho question stated. Thoro was a roar of "ayes," but Mr. M'Kcnzio challenged the division. The boll was rung, and mombers trooped in, but Mr. M'Kenzie then allowed the question to go on the voices. . ; ' ; APPROPRIATION BILL. : The Appropriation Bill was next brought down, put through committee, read a third time, and passed, all without discussion. A CHRISTCHURCH MEASURE. Mr. Davey now asked the Speaker if no could move the third reading ol tho Christchurch Drainage Bill. The Premier, in return; asked if there was any urgency for the measure. Thoy had u lot yet to do in the time limit, and if the Bill wero taken it would risk staying until Monday. Mr. Davey said thoro was n certain amount of urgency, but rather than keep tho Houso ho would agrco to drop it. The Last F-ew Minutes. /l'lio Speaker then left the chair whilo the Appropriation and other small Bills wero put through the Legislative Council. Some delay occurred in the Legislative Council; The Hoiise waited until 11.20, and then the bolls rang to call members back to tho Chamber. The Speaker took his seat, and the Premier announced that Mr.. Davey_

was to have a chance to get his Bill read a third time. 'Phis was accomplished in a tew. seconds, amidst applause. Mr. Aliinder had tho Whanparoi Harbour Board liill on the Order Paper. Bring the only iincontciitious local Bill loft, it was called on, rushed through committee in one minute (twenty-live clauses), .road a third time, and passed.

Until ten minutes to twelve the House indulged in a little recreation. Mr. T. WilI'ord presided at the piano, which had.been wheeled to tho centre door nf the Chamber, and Messrs. Ngata and Hcke contributed a song or two, the members joining in the chorus. Mr. Colvin was elected Speaker, ami became a target for the shafts of the wits in the House. " Can't finish to-night." At ton minutes to twelve, tho House having been suddenly called together, the Premier stood up. "We can't finish tonight," ho said. There were amendments to get from tho Legislative Council, which had just adjourned till Monday morning, 'i'he House, in consequence, would also have to adjourn. Ho hoped sufficient lion, members would remain till then to form a quorum. As this was the ovo of retiring, ho wanted to say farewoll to _ some members. The Leader of the Opposition was going, and lie wanted to say that they wore sorry to lose him and others, though theso gentlemen would no doubt be very glad to disperse ar'ter a very arduous session's work—though ho was sure it had been a pleasant one. (Hear, hear.) He wanted to thank all for their universal courtesy, and hoped to see members back next, session well and happy. To those who were leaving that night ho gave his best wishes. (Applause.)' Mr. Massey, on behrjf of his side of ■ tho House, thanked tho Premier for his kind expressions, which were appreciated and reciprocated. ■ '

■The Premier then formally moved the adjournment of the House till 11 o'clock to-day. . -. ' ■ The galleries, which had held numerous ioccupants, then emptied, members going south by tho lata boat rushed away; others wandered to the lobbies, and most in a matter-of-fact way went homo as usual. In a few minutes the House was quiet, and for all the session of 1907 had practically ended.