THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 697, 23 December 1909, Page 5

THE HOUSE.

DEFENCE BILL PASSED. LIQUOR DEBARRED FROM CAMPS. I After Tiir Dominion went to press yesterday morning the Defence Bill was iurther considered in Committoo Mr WEIGHT (Wellington South) moved an amendment to tho effect that to' places into winch intoxicating liquor might not be taken should bo added evprj ordorlj-ioom or other placo set apart for def,enco purposes, but tho proposal was rejected bj 13 lotes to 19 Mr WEIGHT then proposed that tho officer commanding should not have the ponor to allow liquor to be brought into a cenp barracks fort, or other plncn. The PRIME MINISTER said that if,,tho section wero amended there would bo no person with control over tho introduction of liquor into camps, etc He wvi in sympathy with tho supgcstion, but it would bef umviso to adopt it. The amendment was earned b> 30 to 22, tho dmsion list being as under — Tor the Amendment (30)—Ulen, Anderson, Buick, Buxton, Clark, Tisher, Grccnslade, Cuthno, Hall, Hardy, lime, Hogg, Laurenson, M'Laron, Malcolm, Mander, llassey, Nos■northy, Ok y, ?eirc», ""h , Hippo, Poland, Pnole, Bo*,, Scott, Sidey, Stallworthy, T E Taylor, G M Thomson, and Wnght Ajainst tho Amendment (22) —Buddo, Carroll, Davey, Dillon, Field, Forbes, Towlds, Trnser, Hemes, Ilogan, Lairry, Macdonald, R M'lvpnzie, T Mackenzie, Alilfar, Ngata, Reed, llhodes, Seddon, Te Eangihiroa, Ward, and ■Witty

Merging of -'the"' Existing .'Forces.':' : V , PRIME m'pved'ttafa, new clausb'bd inserted tP'thee-ffecf that oh., and ;after tlicicomiuoncemont'of.tho'Act tho volunteer fore? -should ibecbmo'.the,-territpriab force, and every volunteer, corps,'.;except^defenco.;-;cadet. corps, existing.',; on' 'such'-.commencement, shall; lie depmed,to and "enrolled under, .-the Aoti'■ provided- that hp'thing- in- tho'section-shall .without- 'his' consent affect .the conditions -of- ser,vdce",6f any fperson.yco'mmissipned.; or. - enrolled, before; the passing, of the.; Act. . , ' . -. ;,'.'■-. yT.ho.nowcliiuse'.wag'ogreed to. .. ! : . "■-'" ■'Ifc'.was-.then agreed, on.-the m.otion'.of the Priiuc Minister, that : the. defence cadet, and resprvi; corp3;shbiild:ceas6. to exist; on. a to be. notified, 'and , before .that.date;all- arms, etc., should; be ■ .delivered,'-.to the prescribed : officer, and^on-.that'date , , the assqta; and 'liabilities of assets and liabilities'-, of> the Crown; v■.-','..:.-.- : r -/'; .' ■■''■■ . -, '-'.:' '•A-:clause;relating.;to' Boy f Sciuts: was added tu,'-the :BiU;' as.-"under:—"The Minister.for Edii-. cation.:may,' at the:.request: of the ..controlling : nnthority,',taKe;'over "the' cpntrol.' of; the Boy Scbijts ;ini.sucli'; manner and to such; extent as ho' thinks!,fit; ,and ;: wnen'',6o > taken I '.over >they shMl , . form, part.of the, junior 'cadets.i'and ■ b> subject .tp»the''Erqvisions:of.thi3:ActfSd, far as ith'ey.y■'relate';tp"'tEo,'. junior 7.cadets;": VPrPvided jtl!tt>th;e:;vestrjction^-as.i:6:age ; lijnit shall not. apply i tb Bpy Stfouts,-' a'tid Boy' Scouts may contm'uo; in'.the'junior cadets ■: until /they, attain ■the'ragdi'p£:sixteen years." - ,- ' • •'•'■ : - .• "•'.''.' ■'•'Ajic--2.'30! it'was',agreed that the; Bill , should be'reported-with amendments... : '"'-. .-= "•■' ,\ '.., Subsequehtly ; tho Bill was readme/third .time •■' '■j i ■■*':■.: "■-'V; ; i;REFORMAtpRY ; INS?T!TUTiqNS::B!LLV;' ■This BilL was then , considered in Committee, : but ./only K; amendments' of v a minor character. ■were .made.'" . ,' ■' ' ''■-'; : ■■■/■ ■■■■"■'- : ,' ! .■':■<' •'■ l ■ -tfpon'a-motionHo read 'the Bill a third time, •Mr, • HERRIES ; (Tauranga). held.- ; :that; the measure" should.-have, been'., introduced ,:by Governor's' Message,! as' Cla'us.e 15 was.- an ;apprppriation 'clause. ■ :'■'•. ■','.- ';■':■. ,; ,1 ." ; V "' ■ i'.Siri'Jpsepli'iVlf ■'. that is sb; it twill-be-..held over,.'.so; tnati.it' may bp.so'.brought^doTfn... "Mr.. Hemes i But it:originated in the .CpunciL ■.'•,'The'iSPEAKEB v 'inlei.that':'ah-'-;infrins'ement ;o£-- the rules-had ..taken place., ' : .' '.. ' Jt -.w.as agreed'that tho rnetipn;for .the.third be. postponed. , • ■'.'"'.' '.'■:' .;;i|jj!^,^^ . '.When- 'tjiisvßill: was{under -consideration.''in CpnimitteftV; - ! >- ■•:■ ■> .• [ :: \, { '?'■ IMr.' (phinemuri)'' moved: as'i a': new: sub-clatis6 as';'; follows:—Notwithstanding '.. anything' ;to , tho contrary: in'the'principal: Act, any'person,mayj .not later than March'3l,: 1810,. apply toVthe' Council to' be registered'in respect pi'. such : r qualrftcations ■ possessed by him - prior to .'the 'passing 'of tho principal • Act. -' ■"'.' ■'..-•; '■,':■ ■ :Tho, new; was agreed to on - the (■voices, after;' the •■■Minister had ' called 'for.. a ■ divjsipii.'- :m3 : --'■:■ ■" "'? : - '''.'--. -.;■..• "••'.• ■'.'.': ■■•:', •."The Bill '-.was;later; read a''third time, and ■*&'■.'% ■'$ fe y ''.;.-, ' i. v ■'■.•■ •■/ ; ; MAGISTRATES' COURTS .BILL. -.V; ; , r'lni'Commitee''oi}'Jthis';Bill, ■-.:■■:'■■■ '" V It:was^agreed;■■ on,tho motion .of Mr. -Boss - : (Pahiatua),, that . Clause 3 , should; read:—"ln'. iloy''action-for tho recovery of debt.idamages, or other moneys, if the , defendant.desires to de^ : , fond the; action ho. shall, not' later than three clear doys befbrothe' day fixed for the hearing ofi'the'summons, .file ,iu .the--Court a notice' signed- by' h'iiri "or on his behalf stating that he I intends to.del'end tho.action." / .- . ' .-•■.;'.•'. , .'." ;' ijubsequently.the.Bill'was.read i.third time, .and .passed.■> iX■'••■'-. VV :.. ■■■;.}. >';-,..'"{:..■';; Yj A : f : : ! RACE MEETINGS BILL, t >^ ,f'i ?'PONTJ CLOTS AND 'BETTING!' - ■■/, '-' • •; When'.this 'Biii' was;reported,- with amend■merits, 'r-'.&i'-r.'- .-;':" :; ( >. ■~y. ; .'-'' : -'i' : f : i: ■ "'-'■■■!-. ■ -Mr. , MASSEY; moved, that.it,'be recommitted : to ; the' follpwini;"new. clause:'—''Fr,cm :ahd', after'the' comiig: into operation; of. this ;Act,;.and/hotwithstandinK anything . r contained iiu'iany.' other; Act, inb^'.' racing 'club shall be. ■ compelled., to, grant a'Uicensp' tp;any person'to enter,' 'Sμ a racecourse', and*'carry. on business as a -bookmakeri''- ' I '-' 1 '. ■■:■-. : --' : . -'. ;-..; ;.TUe Eon; J!A. MILLAR raised a;point-of order';th'at' ; -the prbpo,sed clause "could be made tbV'apply ;6nly 'to'. : tne ; present:-Bill. : ■'--•".' .'■; : ■ Tlid -'SPEAjvER :' '.That '•' is '-a point 'that -the Ghairmtin''.of CommitteeS'Would:have to decide. . v,ilp'ori' ; a'-' division,-' it wasdecided to recommit by..'£)(.votes.ito'22, the. division list being as ■■■u^'der'^v- ; '."^:/;'^\-..'.--:!'',:.'l----..'':-'V-;;-,..-.''..,".'.'•'■■:.:■ >=y In of; recommittal (23V: Allen, Anderfeon," Buickj. Davey,' Dillon,. Fraser, ' Guthrie, ■Hardy,.'jHerrios, Hine/.: -MXaren,,; Malcolm, M »33ey. v.Nosw.orthy, Okey, Pcarce, V: Heed, Khpdes,' Scott,, ; Sidey,. G.' M. iThpmsbri.'Wittr'.' and 1 Wright; ■■' ;:'; V ■■'..',:■"•■:'■.■: -o: '■■■-:■.: ■■ (22): • Buddo, : Buiton, .Carroll, /FieH.V Forbes,.. Towlds, ? Greenslade llogan,,Laurenson,-. Lawry; '.Macdonald,- B. Mlvtrurie, T. .Mackenzie,. Millar, Ngata,! Poland ;^°°lc :>-ft?? 3 To Eangihiroa, Ward' aud'. Willord.- .':, ""': ■ .' ■'■ y' .-.-■' :■'.' •'■.;.-- ;.Lic?mi!s^ : '"''Jv :'..-;:.; v-; :•" Mr.-: itASSßY^thenvinoredr.':theC clause 'of .wjuch.'ne.jhad given notice. J- '-.'.'. - .-■ '.' . :./Tho .CHAIRMAN .ruled-the order,,; 0n..: the. , "ground.;.that '■.'• tjje-. granting of : J^W'9 8 ;, to ■'■■ bookmakers V was.'' only. - authoriseS by, tho. Gaming, Act, 1908, and that/the clause was,au,-.amendment:to: those:'.provisions, and foreign-.to•■the -Bill.- ■• »■:■'.:-■ : ,■■"..■ •-'•' v . : :..PWA,; the,-.inotion !■ of ;.Mr. Masscy, • it' was agreqd-ihat.tthp". rubng of::thb ,Speaker.'should bo taken on the question.'■■■'■' - '■(' ■■'■■■■ :BPEAKJ-R -held-that tho decision' of -the Chturman ;was I; final. It seemed to him that the,rilling was correct,, seeing ;that the-clause •purported, by implicatioh.'a section that: 1 existed'in tho Gaming Act ' ■ -,"■ ■ Mr.;^'ASßEY:then-askrd if;a respectful address ;cpuld; be., presented; his Excellency asking him .'to;proyido.for the, repeal.pf tho provision in tho existing law,to the effect that racing .clubs>.wore.coppelled tp license.book"makers whether they wiehed.to or not • ■,Xhe;,SPEAKEE. : 'fhe:mo«on oSuldl bo properly- moved;..by.-..notice-of motion pr oneoine rate'-Supply;.■ - : '■:.■ ~,.-...' :>...;.,.:-;°' s ;,,Qn -the., .motipn' for-the 'third-reading; Mr Jj;aseey, placed pn record the fact that lie had prop-osedv tho ■ clanso which had been rukd • pnt:.'of.order.'-'-»;•' ; : '-■- .. ■.-■•'■,;;.;" The;;Premler's\Viev«; > C- -:- .[■ v ', ;;r.'-. ; :r ' /The: -PRIME JJINISTEE": said that 'when it JJ m « ', to l ; a , Yotei ] 1 0, would .vote, against- both the tptalisator. and, tho bookmaker on the'racecourse. Hp.Tocogniscd; the tremendous' reform whieh was 'effected -when. the'Gamin'g Act con-:nnedabetting-;tb .'racecourses. ; ••■'.- ... . •'.: = ■ ; :Mr.,:Hardy.'/It;.U ten' .times', worse'-now." "' ;i Mr. Poolo: The whplp 'thing is cronk.''- ' ." •"■ ■ : -The;.Priino;,'-llinistcr. : ;wcnt on ' to sav -that .to-i'S'nggest' that- in- this .country tho Govern.mentfifloul.d .license one form-of bettirig-by the U6o;m: : 'a,.mabhine and -abolish' another form was illogical;--.' Both should go together.-•■'■ ■-' -.■-■-. '■•• 'Mr..:,Lanrenson: ; That' is -the 1 thing/ ■. ■' '" '-Mr.: :DA-yilY. (Christchurch Bast) expressed deep regret at> the Prime Minister's'announcementi-. ;In6tead-of ■ having ono bookmaker• there wore;now, 60.-■'< ■;'■■,•..'•'• :. ..'.' ...- : -. r ...iMr..Hardy•; They'areimostly -spieiere..' : - ,;'Mr.;Davey (continuing),'said he would,invitb members'to'go-to;Miraraar,.where they would find.a'.denof'thieyes.' Meetings werp. : boing run there simply, for the bopkinakers and the proprietary. If. it'had.nbt been for the legalising of : the, bookmaker there would'have' been no pony. and..galloway; nieptines;..: Hβ'. would'.vote for: the itofalisator : when . the; time came, .and against -the,!-bookmaker. (Hear, , hear.)', i.'- ■: ''AvStraighttput' Issuo." t ■;,,-; ; ; ;';; -V '■The Hon.; J. A. MILLAII assorted that tho racing. c)nbs;bad:' deliberately;, and'knowingly licensed disreputable bookinak'ors.-'with the ob.jeet^'oi,;trying .-.to- bring.- them, into;- disrepute. l -the: Totalisator: Bill r camo' down, f'her.w.ould , - gavfi hj? eiperJehosa on-the

point.' - There'was going on' as' much swindling m. connection' -with. the. totalisator as with the 'bookmakers." He was glad that'. there ■was going 1 to bo a" straight-out issue now, and that the .two wero' going to-go together. Hβ would vote'for the abolition of tho totalisator ovory time- itcanio up., ■•'. ■ .'. ■ 'Mr. .BUlCK■KEnlmcrston North) held that the Gaining Act left no option : : to'clubs; because if sakl that .they must grant licenses unless it could bo proved' that .applicants,'■ we're of,disreputable xharaoter. When a club which ho knew bad .applied to tho .police: with respect to -the character of an applicant, a. reply had conio to'-the effect; that' the applicant 'was a bad lot.'likp tho-rrst of'them. Under theso circumstances", could a: club refuse to 'grant ■licensee "'at'-all?.';■'. . ' '. '.-.'' :' • , Members:.-.Yee.. .' .': ■ . ■■ ■■;'. -■ . ■- Opinions of Mr. ;Herries. . ,Mr.HJ3nßlES. : .(Tauranga) said. that,, as-far as .'he: knew, .tho statements, mads. by theMin-ister-for.-Railways- were .'entirely: contrary ,to fact.V-It, was'absolutely..impossible, to. refuse any . : person a license ia bet,, because, .unless the .course was a.■freehold, ..the man could go on;to the'course.in.spite of the olub. : , .After.-a little further, discussion, the Bill was read a.;third'tinie-and. passed.-: ...: • .; . ■.': .■--. ' ■ PASSED;: V ■■."" The Bills ,were, then read a third time.and-passed:—... ■■■ ■ ,' ■':■."■ Wanganui Schools!. Sites Bill.-'- , • • : '•' " ; Masterton -Trust' Lands. Exchange' Bill. -';■. ~ '..Workers'. Compensation Amendment Bill.. .Customs Duties'-Amendment Bill. ,Old;Age.Pensions Amendment Bill. Urowera District Native Reserve Bill. The.House at this stago.(i.2o'a,m.) adjourned tilMl:a.m.:: ■■•• -.' -y".' - .-. : --.- V. : ;- ; •'■•'i

- --TIMBER .COMMISSION. '-. Yesterday's' ; sitting' of; the House : began at 11- a.m'i,-•'■. ;■"■.'.•'"■'.. . .'..;;■■' .; ; ■ A. statement, by. tne;'Primo;ilmister on the administration "of the Police Department is reported elsewhere... . : ■ ■ .' . •-.. The PRIME;-MINISTER .(Sir Joseph Ward) made his promised statement on the Timber Commission.''''.He' said that the Government intended next session ■to introduce legislation to : give effect to' tho spirit of the recommendations of the: commission; •/ - •,■■■•■■ •'■•'.■.' .Mr. W.T. JENNINGS (Tanmaninni);;said he was very glad to hear of tho Government's decLsiqh. 'He hoped-.the spirit of tho report would" bo preserved. l , '■'*■ ■':■ ..'". ' ■■'•Mr.': J. A., HANAN, (Ihvercargill) .said .that the. conclusions" of the. commission were not properly founded upon' the evidence, and he hoped that the Government would give very careful' consideration; to .the.matter. (Rangitikei) expressed'»Kret ' that ■;the" Gqyeriiraent, had not brought doiyn legislation ■ oh-'the subject- this'session. A .cargo 'of:' a million -and a' quarter feet of. Oregon; was how being "unloaded at the wharf. This iwoTild cost. New Zealand! .£SOOO ;in hard gold. •'-He'.feared- that; many, many, workmen would be. discharged,as a consequence of the delay in- legislating. , .'■'. '•■■■■'■' .- ; ■ ..; ■ :'•/-.■ •••,• _';: AMENDMENTSiAGFtEED TO. ; "''The.■'.'amendments made ,'by./the -Legislative Council -in ■■ the Native,:Lu'nd 7 ' Bill,- 'tha • Coal Mines Amendment'-Bill, and the Public Works Amendment. Bill were agreed to. -:: J ,-The following, new clause in the Shipping and Seamen's Bill.was,brought down by Governor- s:Message.,and agreed to':—"A'sailing or r.team' fishirig-bont vrhich' , does' not exceed ten' >tp'n.s.register.shall-riot' be-subject to the provisiohs of., the.princjpal Act rolating to -survey; ;andt'to\carrying certificated ' officers." ■-■■

,;rVi-;;;' : .';.;■;.; ;:NEW ..BILLS;-'..; ;;:;.'■/■■■:. The Gold iDuty -Amendment Bill was - intren duccd. by Governor's Message, and read a' first time..,'.; , ..:; ■'.■,;■■■■,■;■':.--.-:..•-;:.-■,■-;..■■ - - ■ ; % .Tlie'; : Prime':'Minister explained; that 'this was, a single-clause' '.measure , tor , enable the Customs'.Department'' to "comply with- the requirements -of the-Auditor-Genoral in'the matter'of, sweepings c'pritaining gold, ; .The BULwas rapidly put'.'through its remaining stages -and passed. , ;.■..-■ ;,.:'■ : ■ ■• : ■ .Tho. ;Waahi -. : Native Conference; Bill 'was also;introduced by Governor'u Message arid'road a first'time.'" ! "■■'•■' '•".• The- NATIVE MINISTER; (the..Hon;' J. -Carroll) stated that it was not intended to proceed with tho Bill this session. It : was introduced for■;circulation.. ; ; ; - , . ■ : -V , FINANCING A BRANCH RAILWAY. In Committee on the Inangahua County Empoweririg _ Bill : ? (Mri ; e6lvih);vtfhich'?'gives:. tho Inangahua County. Cooncil power to construct a brnnch railway to tho town of Eeefton, •■-' I ,The' PRIME) MINISTER' (Sir, Joseph .Ward) moved'the'following new clauseV'The cost of ,constructing -the said'branch- line -Bhall be defrayed, by the said county, council,■; and for that: purpose the. said council may borrow moneys as for a>public wort constructed by a local authority under tho Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1903.-''..'. ;, ■ ;,-. i , ;- ■-- .-; ;. -- ,: ■ '■ This was' opposed by Mr. Colvin and the Hon. , - A. -R.. Guinness'. • . ■ ■'.'-.• The PRIME MINISTER said that if every part of the-country that wanted a railway could obtain it by; , means of a privato member's Bill it .would only-,bo',»:.matter: of |■.timewhen forty :members would '.bring ■ pressure .to bear on , the ;Gp Terl ™ent ; to get such railways' constructed.; •'; They should -raise ■'the money themselves, ■ and the' Government, would givo them ; the, opportunity, to do so 'through tho State;' Guaranteed Advances Department. Ho was not going to consent'to a course which would be; taken as a , precedent that he' would, 'regard. qs,'dangerous :, in the extreme.'v ; .The'new clause was adopted by 31 votes to 23,'-'and'the!Bill , 'was reported. /■■Sr'-">-

;;■:"'■::>: BILLS IN '.; ■ ■Tho following, local, Bills . were, -also 'put through "Committee':— •'■•■' ■ '■-; .':.'■ '..'■• ■ ■ ' ■.■•■'■• ) ! Tawcra 'County , Bill, Wairewa County Bill, Kiwitqa .'County.' Validation Bill,, Waipawa County Bill, '.Gray Lynn Domain Vesting Bill,' Bluff Harbour Board Empowering Bill, Inglewood Technical School.Site .-Bill, Christchurch District Drainage"'Bill, - and WaitaraJ'Borough lteserros ■Vesting.; Bill.;■.' ; . ■ ' .'■■'. -'■-■■' . was.'reported on the'Kaitake. County Bill and; tho Thames Harbour Empowering. ■■Bill/ and:'Manukau. Harbour 'Bill. . . :'■'' f : i\u.'7. . .■,:... InCotnmittqo.on the Hutt Park Amendment Bill,'objections;wore oxpressed against Clause ■i, .which increases from 10 to 2G the number of days'on which a charge may be made for admission. The, clause Lad been struck out by the local. Bills Committee and reinserted by thb; lands 'Committee. ■■•'■■' ■■ .'•■••'•::■- ' - ,The : Hon. J.--A. MILIiAK said that if the proposed power were given it: should apply all round. Tne clause would enable .the park to be closed::to the ■ 'public: every .'other; Saturday, a ipb'nipr:' which had frecjuently been refused in .the ,"caso; of the Wellington Basin Reserve. • ;!,When'; tho 'Lands Committee put the iiitothe\Bill it. took out a clause empowering thri park'authorities."to cut up 'and :leaso cer-. tain.portions 1 of th'ereserve. ;The'House, upon division, .rejected' Clause 4 by- 39 votes to 20, and Itr. ', Wilford accordingly moved to report progressids'the measure had been'deprived of all'its cssontial features. ,i . . : ; . '■'■:■. .',■ ; ■Progress' was ': reported, and the Bill was ■thus- disposed of .for. this session... •'...'■■' •. :/; : OTHER WELLINGTON- BILLS. : -The; Weliington : 'City Milk. Supply Bill was discharged from: the Order Paper. ;. ,In Committee.on the:Hutt valley Tramway Bill, which v had been almost entirely struck out'.by the .-Local Bills Committee, > Mr.'-. Sidey, for Mi. Wilford, moved to reinsert the deleted elapses. The Committee's alterations, however, were Tinanimously approved by tho House. v .nap!eb:harbour loan. ■ ':•■ .; Speaking .'on : 'the/second reading- of the' Jfapier' Harbour Board ■ Loan. Bill,'; ' Mr. HALL (Waipawai-.drew. attention to-the drastic alterations .made by tho Committee to' which the Bill was referred. ' He did not want to defer tho' passage..of the Bill if tho House would .agree' to amend two-clauses. The first' was the-clause stating that a bare majority should carry the poll., This'was unfair to the people, seeing: that: the Bill, had been advertised .to carry with it. a three-fifths majority. It was vory.necessary.also'.to provide that tho Napier ■ Harbour \ Board should ' have a new constitution,-and ho had drafteda clause for thnt'.purpose.' : The iNapier harbour "should -.be' finished,. and;,tho' borrowing of for that purpose, would, not/impose extra rates on tho'.poople,;and. would provido a,good harbour for any kind of ■ weathor. Personally, he approved of Clause >0, which, reduced the franchise, from-nine, and in some cases forty, votes •,Mr.'.' DILLON;. (Hawko'a, Bay) said ho would oppose the Bill till provision was "made for' tho representation \ of tho country districts on the board. — v-' ' • ■'' ■ ■ .'M , ■ •■ ■ ■ .-. ; .;' ' : ':•■-.. ■Mr. BEOWN , (Napier) said he was quite willing to -accept , tho two amendments mentioned by 'Mr.' Hail, in regard to: constitution ,and plural voting,',but he thought that .tho. bare majority .'. was sufficient, since tho ratepayers would not be rated',for;the loan. ; . ,\. ; i Tiioi second reading, was agreed -to. - : . Fi?cing the • Franchisee V;,; *;''',:' ""•"..■," • lii. ■Committee; on.'.ttio Bill,' .■ .; . ~ ; J 'Mi'. DlLLON.called for a division on ClaiiicC, irhich'redncei the ftimchlße.'.to one'votj,'

• Mr. BROWN said Nelson" and; other harbour boards had all tho powers asked for by tho Napier Board. It was intended to savo tho sheep-farmer thrcepenco a sheep, and eightponco a balq on his wool; so ho did not. see why Mr. Dillon should object. : Napier had been kept back for years by tho lighter system. ■Air. I'RASUB QVakaHpit) pointed out. that there wan nothing to prevent" rating being introduced by a futurp Bill, and what then would bo the position of-tho country districts, which had contributed as. much towards the rovenuo of tho board as had tho town? -..'•Mr. ROSS (Pauiatua). said that tho clause would affect only a very few people, and they would.be affected: only in. imagination. Mr. ALLEN (Bruce) .moved an amendment to provide, that no ratepayer should have moro than, three votes. - . ■ ■; The ainondment was negatived by 39 votes to ;-A division was then taken on the clause, which was retained.by 40 votes to 25. I On Mr. Hall's motion, the proposal that , a bare majority-should carry'a poll was struck out. • . .■-■-....■ ... ', - .- Question of Constitution. •■ : HALTj moved the foliowinp new clause:— •-The. board shall-be.constituted as follows:That jDortion ofHawke's Bay County within it- T,-^ pler Harbour Eating ' District, also the Elding of Mohaka, in the County of Wairoa, to have four members-. Borough of Hast-ings,-one member: Borough of Napier, three members: So much of the Counties of Waipnkurau, Patangata, and Waipawa as arc within the Napier.Harbour Eating District, inclusive, of the Waipukurau Town District, tho Waipawa Borough, and' Kaikora North Town District, to.have three members: Payers of dues on'goods, one member: Payers of dues pn ships, one member: The new'board shall bo elected on the day appointed by tho -Harbours Act,, IMS. for the election of members of boards. Section. four of The Napier Harbour Board Loan Act, 190b is hereby vnealed, and the Second Schedule of. The Harbours Act,, 1878,.is modified accordingly." ' The Hou; J.; A: MlLLAß:suei;ostod that tho clijuso should bn withdrawn. He "would undertake/to putit in the 6chodulo of the Harbour Board Bill to be brought down' next session. • Mr. HALIj regretted; that ho could not withdraw the clause. .., '. ' ': ' , Mr. Millar: I slialL not oppose it. ' Tho second reading,of the clause was carried by 45 votes to 23. .-■"; The Hon. J. A. MII.LAR moved an amendment thattho board should include two members appointed by the , Governor-in-Council, one for tho. Borough of Napier, and tho other for the outer district. - .. /The. amendment was agreed to. The Bill was reported with amendments. ■ All the local Bills labove,referred, to, with the amendments made, in Committee, were'read a-third timo lnlthe.evenins and finally passed

■ . .GOVERNOR'S MESSAGES. \ ; amendment of tho Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill. was brought down by Governor's Message, deleting Clause 41 (11), which; deals, with the lending of money by the Minister for Finance. The object of striking out the clause was to bring the matter under the Guaranteed Advances Act. ■: The amendment was agreed to. . > A minor amendment was made by Governor's Message.in the Reformatory Institutions Act, providing that no stamp duty or court fees should .be chargeable in connection with Aeclarations under Clause■ 9. . ■'■ . ■ ■■■"• • „ LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES LIMITED. An amendment was broughj; down to enable certain: financial , clauses in the Lands for Settlement .Bill and Native Lands Bill to be transferred to the Guaranteed Advances Bill. -Mr., ALLEN: That's what wo wanted 'the Pnme Minister to do before. The PRIME MINISTER explained tS4t loans to. local' bodies, under.the amendment, would be. limited. to a million per year after this year. For this year the amount is limited to half a million. • ;■-"■■.■ Mr; JAMES,ALLEN stated that this was much more . satisfactory than the : previous clause, which, placed, nolimit, after 'this year, on tho amount per year which Parliament might fix for loans , to* local ".bodies.-". >

■a! •■:.■■ • A CONFERENCE. A coiferenco with members of-the Legislative Council'was arranged in regard to disagreements of the. Council with-amendments made by tho House in , the'llagistrates' CourtsBill. As a result of the conference it was agreed that five days' notice instead of three enpuld be given of intention'to defend. l ■It was decided to disagree with the Council's amendments to the Rare Meetings Bill. ■".PUBLIC SERVICE BILL. ■In moving- the second-reading oF'the Public Service Classification and Superannuation Bill, The PRIME MINISTER said ho.would move 'that' Clause 8,; which proposes, to limit the maximum retiring'allowanc«nexcept in special cases, to X3OO a year, be held over till next session. . This was the only clause that was retrospective, or to which objection likely, to bo made. Moreover, provision should bo niadti that a>man-whose Ealary was over .£4OO should not, have to pa^.,contributions on. the excess of-that amount into the. superannuation fund. The police fund .would bo merged in the general public service' fund, to which "iC3OOO a year would bo paid for-that purpose, and a payment 0f;J25,000 a, year into the Railway"Fund was proposed for the purpose of.' strengthening that : fund.v .Provision: would bo made .to enableteachers who had not. come under tho amended Act to 'd 0.50.... . ;.'...

.;Mr.: ALLEN (Bruce) supported the Bill.-'.'He doubted if the amount' of .£3OOO would be sufficient to provide for the polico fund, or if the addition of. .£25,000. was sufficient to make the railway, scheme actuarially sound. Hβ thought that new entrants to,the fund should be made to submit to a maximum retiring allowance of.JEWO. '■' -.'■ ' ' ■■■"-.• ■ ■'■■ ' ■'■ Mr. WILFORD (Hutt) asked that'the proposals in regard to tho Police Provident Fund should be held over tillnej;t year. ■ '■. •■■''■ . Mr. HERJDMAN(Wellington North) agreed with .the elimination of Clause 8. Ho wished to .know ,i if the Public Service Fund i>;quld now be actuarially sound, and if the contributories were consulted before the legislation was brought,down. ,' '■ ..' : .. • . . •■'.The.PRIME ■MINISTER said that all the proposals in the Bill, except Clause 8, \ conlorred advantages,' so that there was' no need to consult contribntorios.' Ho thought'a mistake had been reducing tho scale in connection with the railway fund. He had not asked, an .actuary to examine cither the public service or ..railways scheme. . ' . -■ The second reading was agreed to.

INDIGNANT PROTESTS. ■''.■"■'-.■" LOCAL' BODIES' SINKINGFUNDS. /■'•';•;./■ A CLAUSE 1 RESTORED. . ; ',- .".'• . Speaking in Committee on the amendments brought- down, by Governor's -Message, the Prime, Minister stated,..in nnswor. to α-qiies-■tion,-that"they included a propoijal to replaco the. clause in the Guaranteed Advances Bill referring to local bodies' sinking funds, which was. struck: ont on the motion of Mr. Sidoy. When first questioned, tho Prime Minister etated that this proposal was not included,.and would be brought down in another Bill. Mr. Sidey, r however,. ■, thought .he had . recognised the clause, and-,on 'a second inspection, of the amendments the Prime Minister admitted,that :the proposal- in regard to sinking Junds was included; '. ■ '■'. ' ' "'.-' ■" ■'■■ * Mr. SIDEY then asked, if he would be in order in moving that; the' House disagree. with the amendment in regard to sinking funds. Mr; MASSEY asked whether, when a. question had' been determined during the present session, it could be raised again. • ■ The CHAIRMAN rnled thatwhen a. clause had-been once.rejected it;could.not be reconsidered, but'that did not apply to the introduction by: Governor's Message: ■■;•■■ . .-.. ' Mr.. MASSEY: The' Governor's . Message does not'refer specifically to this cUnse. It,refers to about a hundred clauses. ■ ■ :-■ Tho PRUrE MINISTER said- tho Governor's Meeeago could'only bevaccepted or rejected as a whole, and if it wero rejected tho Bill was killed for this session. - Mr. MASSEY said he did not think the Prime Minister should attempt to bring down the clause in the way he had done. It was an un-fair-ahd most improper procedure. ' .The CHAIRMAN ruled that any amendment by the Governor could be amended by the ;Honse, as distinct from" the Committee.; .Mr. MASSEY moved to , report progress to tako the Speaker's ruling, and this was-agreed The .PRIME MINISTER urged 'that tho course he :■■. was following had-been followed ro-.peatedly.-i : . . : The SPEAKER ruled that. until a Bill had left tho House, it was open at different stages to again submit to the • House or Committee the'same question that had been once' decided either in the affirmative or negative. There .many authorities .for that. The Governor'-" Message could be nmended ■ either in tho Honse or in Committee. . . Mr. MASSEY urged'that the State^Guaranteed Bill had practically passed-both Houses The SPEAKER ruled that the'.Governor hnd 'a:'--perfect' right to -recommend : amendments, but .th'ey-.coiild' bo : . altered or nmcndfd/ as tliu Ilnuio , oriComniittncMhoiujht fit.. Tn reply to Mr.;Ma'sM,v,-Hie Speaker stated that the Standing Order that: no.question .could be proposed wHich vrea 'the. sama' ia eiiistanse as another.]

I question previously negatived, applied only to tno particular stage in which tho question was first tfoalt with, and therefore would not preyonf n division being taken on the clause objected to in ilw amendment. •Iho. CHAIRMAN proposed to put tho motion as follows:—"That"the Committee recommends the JJousota. make provision accordingly, with the- exception of the amendment to Clause 73" (denlnifj with sinking fimds). :.'.-•.. . - Mr. MASSEY protested -that ■' it, was' impossible to understand the very long'.-and 'complicated ' amendments bionglit down by. the CxjToraor's Message, and not.vet printed". Ho asked the. Prime Minister to hold the matter over till.the next day, when'the amendments would, bo , printed.' '■' ,'"•■. ■ -.' ■ Tim Pl;] ME MINfSTEB.said the amendments amounted to.n'j''moic thairthe transform ence or cluuses already passed-l'rom one Bill to another • He refused to hold the matter over. , Mr.- MAPSF-γ : "Then we might just as woll Hand nvor nil the legislation' of this Parliament to tho lion, gentleman, and lei him do as lu> likss." ■■;■■ .-•.-..■." Mo Ci'i'-i-rntr's .aini.'mia><>r.t. . roinseiling (he provision' formerly, struck out on Mr. Sidey's motion, was carried by 37 votes to 27.. •:;■■ .For Restoration.of tho.Clause, 37. ■'■■' Brown : Mackenzie, Hon. T. Bu'ddo '• ■ " • ■ Millar ' ■ • Carroll' ' '• Ngata. Uaigie -•;.-• Parata . ■ ' 2?vey ■" ■ Poland' ■ ' , ■Dillon- ■ '■■■■■.'• Reed,. ' . .' . Duncan,. T. .'. Boss. . . : ™ , ' ' Reddoii -■ ■•'- •■■■; ■■; Fowlds , ' - Smith.. . Graha,m . Stallworthy Hall.. ■•■'., ..'.. ■ iSteward. , Hogaii- .. : : . Taylor, E. H.- : .'. Hog? ■':•■: . Taylor, T. E. • ",' Jennings Tβ Eangihiroa : - Kainau '' ThohiEon, J. C. "■■•■ . • Laurenson .Ward - Wry . •- ■• -Witty . ' Mac Donald i • • Wright ' M'Kenzie,-Hon.-E.. . ; ; ' ■' -. •• . .; Against Restoration of .the Clause, 27. -. Allen .-'■■ ''•'■:: M'Laren ''■'■ ' Arnold ■■• ■ ; 'Malcolm . : .. Buclianan , ..:•'.: Mandor ; -'.':■'. •Dive :■ ■ '■ ' Masscy' , ' : Duncan, J.. ■ . .Newman. ' . Fraser' : . . .' JJosworthy '■'■' ,' ; ' Glover ■ . Okey. ', ■ ' ' ' ■■- Guthrie ■ " Pearce ' "' Hardy. ■ Phillipps ' . ''' : Herdman •• ' Poole ! Hemes' •'. , Rhodes ■■ ■'■ Hine "..'. •. • ."■■■.■■■• .Sidey ■■ ■.■ ' - Lang / : ■ Thomson, G. M. •,' ■' Liike': ':■'■' ■■■■:"' :-■..■<»■'

Leader, of the-Opposition Protests.' Mr. MAgSEY referred-to tho manner in which tho Governor's Messages had been brought down. 'The:House'had (he said) been led to believq'that with tho exception of aproposal. in : connection' with .tho -drainage of the" Hauwki Gulf, .tho resolutions in question .related 'to certain -financial operations in ■ coiuiection with , the Native Land Bill, the Land for Settlements Administration ■ Bill, and the New Zealand State Guaranteed. Advances .Bill. Members had not hadan; opportunity to know what was'really being brought down. Words failed .him in his efforts to condemn what had takei place. Haying outlined how the Government's, proposal with respect to sinking'funds had been defeated on. two , previous, occasions, Mr. Massey went on to,say;that it would appear that tho Prime Minister* wanted to take advantago of the fact that a number of members had left for their homes,-and others were'6o tired as.not to lie able to bo-present. The tactics which- had been adopted were tactics which could only be described as dishonest. I Ho was ashamed of them, and it was just as well that that was * the ' case. They were the meanest and most contemptible tactics ho:had.ever experienced or heard of inside or outside of Parliament. - : .. • '.■■■■■ . v,. ' ~. ■ ;* " ; "A Very Awkward Position." ; ' ' f Mr; HERRIES (Tauranga) said- the ' P.rimo Minister, had, most' certainly placed himself in- a very awkward. position. : Members were distinctly led to-believo that the amendments wero necessary in-order to arrange the financial position . with ' respect to" tho Bills of which reference had'been made. The Priino Minister had, in bringing. , down'tho, Messages, not told the House; that'there was anything in them relating to'sinking funds. That was surely an unfortunate'omission. Then,when the ilousß got into Committee l to consider tho proposals, tho Primo 1 Minister made'reference to, tho matter. That also was an unfortunate position. Later on,'- when "Mr.. Sidey had put an inquiry to the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph forgot what Bill ho was dealing with and said it' was in, another Bill. ■ Then Sir Joseph. stated that" he', w.ould' explain , the whole matter when he' .panic to. the Bill. . Ho (tho sppakor) was quito willing to. believe that the' Prime Minister/ihad been n victim of circumstance?,- but tothosp who.; were: accustomed' to political wavfaro. it was indeed hard to swallow that: ~ ..' ... .■■•'■ ..' , : : '

"A Travesty on Parliament." .... Mr. ALLEN (Bruce) described'the wholeproceedings.with reference to the Governor's liessages as a travesty oh Parliament and, on,representative government. Ho had asked the Prime' Minister when they were, before'mem.l>ers what , was'. in. them, and he : had replied that tho amendments related to.-certain..finan-cial alterations in connection' with; the; Bills under notice. .Sir Joseph', had said that Kβ would explain them in the House; the-proper thing was to explain them in Committee. He (the speaker) would ;put'it down.to the end; of the- session and' to the fact that Sir Joseph was very weary, and hewpuld excuse him. on , those grounds.' He took the Priine Minister's - word for ho had ; no notion that hidden-in them was a Irosolution with reference, to tho question of sinking funds. ■' He might further explain 'that ho knew -nothing about the amendment in : regard 'to '.the .Hauraki Gnlf, drainage. Then again , there was a proposal that £100,000 was to; be .taken out of, the ; local authorities' money and authorised for tho purpose, of land entirely new proposal. There was ' a "further-new proposal that the morioy that was to bo. available for Native lands was'not to be available until ■ April; 1910.: :■; ■ -.■-.<■•■ ; ■■ - .-:• ■■/ .. .:.; :

"Don't Apologise." ■ V : ' Mr. SIDEY (Caver6Uam) said he regretted the result of..the. vote. Hβ would have preferred if a vote of the full House could have been obtained.' ' ■"■ ~ - Mr.'■.Noswbrthy: , Don't apologise; wo are sick of the whole thing. -.'•'• ' - ;■■■• : Mr. LUKE (Wellington Suburbs) said the clause restored'was a reflection on the capacity of local bodies throughout the' Dominion. As a new member he would'say that rather than vote in the way some mombers had. just voted ho wonldtsay good-byoto politics. -. ....' •;'■■'- Mr. M'LABEN (Wellington.Enst).,said the course,by which two decisions'of'tho'Honso.had been reversed in the dying hours'of _ the session ought never to -have been taken except■ after a straightforward statement of the reasons for reconsidering tho matter..- "This -House has been lowered in tho eyes" of the people of this country," Jtr. M'Laren declared. 'Ho had learned that politics.wero becoming moroof an unclean thing.in .New: Zealand— . : .'. ' , '-' Mr. Laurenson: You go out of-them, then. Mr.'M'Laren: Why should.a man who is-do-, ing'what is straight and honest go out'of them and leave them to,the others? (Applause) When ho found that a matter like this was • wrapped up with other business, tuid presented at a tamo whon a'number of members had loft'tho city,' and- a number- of members who voted before were .^ignorant.'that/"-the matter was coining-up, he admitted that it was winning, but it.was winning-by a trick, and:it was time the people of this country ..realised that>their business ehould- be conducted- in a .cleaner way thanthat. ..., ■ . ' -: Mr. TAYLOR. (Christchurch 'North), said he had voted, as,the.result of his matured consideration of the question. .-.'■' ; '. •-. Mr. HOGAN (Wanganni) declared that the majority in thfi House was in favour of the amendment. . . : : i , • .■.'■■' ■ Mr. AVIUGHT (Wellington South) said ho had -voted consistently with the Government "on this matterV.but.tho method in.which the voto had been taken made him donbt if ho had vcited on. the proper, side. The tactics pursued reflected no credit on the, Prime Minister. ~.j Prime-Minister in Rep1y.;.'."..•.'..'... ...\ ..'. . "i'ho'.PEIMB MlNlSTEß;assorted that the .Opposition had iresorted to a very low course in attempting to make capital out of this mattor. When ho, was asked-for, information regarding -the Governor's Message, ho had read all the clauses. At'first , ho; had not thought that the proposal regarding.sinking funds was in the. amendments.: Talhug about purity, he would like'to remind some members that they had on ono occasion cudeavour«d to get a local matter put.into a policy measure; The faot was that he had nil- alimg' intended to, have hii proposal with, reference to sinking funds ,roinserted in;tho measure. Ho had told membars that he would have the matter , put right by Governor's Message. The proposal'was part and parcel of tho fabric .of-,'the measure. What could his critics say in reply?" ; : ■"■"v .■- Mr. M'Lartn: Wo arq all ■ right. ■/"■'.' : Sir-Joseph: Why.v it is not. long, affOi.that, a' council to whioli- you-belong was only.- worry-ihc-itself..in. cprincctiou with ' a, complaint (wliich- he believed was'.-groundless). that , ■ the pinking . funds were being .ilirortcii to n' par-' tii'iii'iir uliauufl.; ■ ..;'!-' '~.'■.. .:-,■.'■ M'tiircu': The charge ' was ■ not made by,--iis,'■ ■. .'■;-.•■ ;.:■ '■--.; ■ -,-■■ ■-.-,- ■ ■-•; -v, ■■-■■■ ",\'V- ' "~~'" -.-'-.-- : - '■• f>— : -.:■'> ■ ■ ..'■'.■.' ' '. ■' ■•*: . ''•' .. .-■■■ ''*.-'''' **!■'■■■,:':•

;Resuming/ Sir Joseph Ward: said; ho would like to know whether those ■ peoplo who were so anxious that Mr.- Sidey's proposal-should bo adopted woro acting in the interests of the citynnd the Dominion., He had heard a lot of nonsense ahout tho care that. , certain members took in connection with sucli matters'." "■' Mr. Luke: Wo are doing all right. Sir Joseph: You stood as a Uovernmcnt supporter. ■.-.■ . .',,.. .: Jtr.' Luke: "Wo will have something about Hint Inter.. . " ~ '-'.. ■_ . • .. ■Sir Joseph said he did not believe in political humbug. A political independent' on either side is worse than a political humbug. : ■Mr. Luke: 1 agree/with you. : ■/. ,-.-"■ ,;Sir Joseph: He is despised politically by. both parties; ■ , ■ "-.-■■'-.• ■.-""■ • ■ ■ • Mr. Massey: Look behind you. (Laughter.) ■ Sir Josoph:-It is a'more accident rhat'somo people get into Parliament; .Mr.. Sidcy, had told him a fortnight ago that he was going to move tho motion, .and'ho had not tried to'.dissuade him. from it. Ho. had never adopted the.plan of trying to :trick"or mislead the, House upon anything; He had previously stated' that he intended , to give effect, to the clause. Sixty-two members had, voted on tho last-occasion, and 64.that night. i: . ', 'Mr. Luke' said he: had made his' position .clear in.his first speech after coining into.the House. '. :■■ ''' .• ■■■■"■ ■'■ ■'■ ■ ■ . ■■.'../ ■'. . :.• The Prime Minister (loudly):' What did yon stand for? What did , you stand for? ■';. ; Mr. Buchanan: Don't,bully! ' .. The Prime.Minister asked that these words should'be taken down. ■ ••■•< ilr. Buchanan withdrew the words, at the Speaker's request. ■-"■•' • ■■-..!■ . / . .'■ .. Mr. Luke said lie was not ■ going to waste the time of tho House with, the 6toryof his election. ■■■.''. ■■■•••. -'...;<■..-■'.. ".-; The amendments lnaije by Governor's Messase ■were' finally.' agreed, to at 1.45' a.m. , The.amendments made , by the Council;in the Defence Bill woroagreed to.. , ; : .The- House at 2 a.m. : adjourned till 10' a.m. to-day. ..':'. ..-...-: , ■: -k-