THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 978, 19 November 1910, Page 7

THE HOUSE.

THE CAMING BILL. i Upon tho resumption of tho sittings fof the House of Representatives yosterJday, it was agreea that tho amendments mado by the Legislative Council in the Gaming Bill should be considered ton Monday. • TAIERI LAND DRAINACE, Tfie Taieri Land Drainago Bill was Received from, tho Legislative Councilfsvith' amendments. ' ; Mr, 1 .. WILFORD (Hutt) said there ■should have been a ckuso to mako •.perfectly sure that the drainago of West Taiori.would.bo completed. He iprotestod against the Bill bccoinint: law 1 The Hon. T. MACKENZIE (Minister; (for Agriculture) said no drainago works >had been carried'on ill. the East Taiori /under Hhis board. Drainago was required in the east, and the expenditure in the east would be quite distinct from that in tho west. Clause 7 had been introduced to.subdivide tho district into five wards, and the people . could bo trusted to return men who would carry out their wishes: Mr. Maekonzio asked who represented tho district— was it Mr. Wilford or himself? Those opposed to tho Bill had not communicated with him (Mr. Mackenzie). He disputed . that Mr.' Wilford's word should have tho same weight as his, who represented the district and had to take the responsibility. The amendments made by tho Legislative Council wero agreed to. STONE QUARRIES BILL. The managers appointed to conduct a confcrenco with tho Legislat-ivo Council on its amendments to the Stono Quarries Bill reported that it had boon arranged that the new Clause 14, which had been proposed by -tho. Legislative Council, should not bo inserted. The &Jouse concurred.

DENTISTS BILL. In Committee on the Dentists Amendment Dill, Tho MINISTER, (tho Hon. D. Buddo) moved a hew clauso to allow persons who, on tho coming into operation of tho principal Act; wero entitled under paragraph (d) of Section 10 to apply tor registration but failed to do so to bo registered up to March 31 next. Tho. clause, which tho Minister, explained would affect only two persons, was passed. Mr. HOGG( (Masterton) moved a new clauso thai an.v person, being a native of Nov/ Zealand, who had qualified and practised iu the Commonwealth, should bo entitled to registration in New Zealand. Messrs. ALLEN and SIDEY protested on tho ground that tho qualification in Australia was lower, than in Now Zealand, and tho Minister advanced tho same reason as an argument against accepting the clauso. •_ - Mr. Hogg said ho moved it with a speoific case in his mind of a thoroughly qualified man who had been practising in New South Wales and wished to return to his own country. , ■ On. a division tho clauso was rejected by 51 votes to 12. Mr. ALLEN (Bruce) moved a technical clause designed to more effectively prevent an unregistered person _ from practising, save with tho supervision of a properly-qualified dentist. . ' . . The. MINISTER said tho clause was so drastic fnat it would prevent a mother drawing her : children's, teeth. (Laughter.) It would .also prevent the country storekeeper who had a tweezer doing - his customer a good turn. Tho clause was rejected by 41 votes to 30. ' . . •

| PUBLIC HEALTH BILL. I 'ALLOTMENT FRONTAGES. In Committee 'on the Public Health Bill, ■ •' ■ Mr. LUKE (Wellington Suburbs) took exception to the provision that in districts in which a'sewerage system does not exist tho' minimum area of a building' section shall bo one-fifth of an acre.' To comply with this area a section of 65 feet by 132 feet would be required; -The Bill would ruin scores of people who held smaller areas, than these' in suburban districts. Because overcrowding had occurred in Auckland; that was no reason for penalising the whole of tho',Dominion.' Mr. LANG' (Manukau), did not con-' sider local bodies should have power to prescribe a minimum frontage to allotments. Air health purposes would bo. served if tho minimum area' wero prescribed. Tho effect of allowing local bodies to proscribe minimum frontages might react : unfairly on people who wished to build back from the road. Tho Hon., D. BUDDO said local authorities would adapt themselves to. local conditions. If power . was given to prescribe minimum frontages, buildings might b'o erected behind others. He had a telegram from a conference of sixteen local bodies near Auckland, urging him .to amend the Act to validate the by-laws of local authorities.' .

Against Minimum Frontage. , Mr. LANG moved to amend 1 clause two, by deleting the words giving local authorities power to fix the minimum frontage. v " v, Mr. Buddo: In another,pari of the Bill I will make provision for those who have already purchased. Mr. Lang said a man with an acre of land could sell two frontages, and keep half an . aero at the back with an approach to it. ;He would hayo twice ! the building, area , proscribed by-: theBill, biii ho might clash with a by-law fixing the minimum frontage, •n; Mr. MASSEY said -tho-Bill hid-;bbeiv-introduced on account of a condition of affairs that: bad.arisen in Auckland on account of the enormous growth, of the city and the overcrowding of the suburban > districts. .Ho agreed with the fixing of a minimum building area,' but not with the fixing of a minimum frontage. Ho had a. telegram from a well-known man in Auckland referring to a property of an aero that had only 20ft. frontage. ■ Mr. WILFORD (Hutt) said that under, this Bill a section, 62ft. by 132 ft:, could notj bo built' oh. A fifth, of "an aero was about 62ft. by 132 ft . ;' Ho thought that in some districts ,60ft.:'by 120 ft., was sufficient., • Ho asked, tho Minister to remove the provision'that building areas in. districts where there was no sewerage system:should be at least onefifth of an aero' in area should bo re; moved, and that it should bo left to local'authorities to fix the minimum ar,ea.' ■ — ■ First Step Towards Town Planning. Mr. T. E.. TAYLOR. (Christcliurch North) agreed that 'the. responsibility should be thrown on the local authorities. Mr! BOLLARD (Eden) said he agreed that .one-fifth, of afi acre was a suitable building area in''a district that'had not a sowerago system. . Mr.' A. Af. MYERS (Auckland EastJ agreed that one-fifth of an aero was a fair area. In Auckland syndicates wore I : at work subdividing suburban land, and some restrictions should bo placed on their operations to prevent overcrowding.' The "aspiration of tho local authorities .in Auckland was to maka Auckland a garden city, and authority should Ixs delegated to tho local authorities to fix tho minimum, building area. Tho interests of tho public would bo capably answered by tho local bodies. Ho welcomed tlio Bill as a first step in, town planning. The Hon. D.' BUDDO said that if the provision fixing tho minimum building area were struck out'the position would be as it is" how. ' If it were, and Mr. Lang's amendment .were agreed to, lie might as well drop tho Bill, as it would coitfer no further, authority on local bodies. He proposed to add a clause, providing that in cas.es where maps had been deposited with any registrar, it should be effective for building purposes. This would avoid injustice.

. Mr. MASSEY said the Minister' was mistaken. - If both amendments wero agreed to, the Bill would still give local authorities power to fix the. size of building allotments. At present, they had not that power, as had been demonstrated by a recent Supreme Court action in Auckland. .

A Narrow Division. Mr. WILFORD (Hutt) said that' "no could answer for sijvon local bodies that all they desired was' power to pass- bylaws prescribing the. building areas. Mr. BTJDDO inquired whether, if lie conceded Mr. Lang's amendment, . tho Conmiitteo would allow the Bill to go ■through. Mr. ELL (Christchurch South) Wanted tho whole BillMr. BTJDDO said ho intended to allow tho clause fixing the area at one-fifth of an.aei;o to bo suspended wjiero the local authorities thought fit. The amendment by Mr. Lang to prevent local bodies from fixing tho minimum frontage, was rejected by 35 votes to 33 votes. Other Amendments. Mr. WILFGRD (Hutt) then moved as an amendment that tho proviso making tho minimum area of a section onefifth of an aero be deleted. The Minister accepted tho amendment, which was carried. The clauso making alterations in tho vaccination law was, on tho motion of tho Minister, deleted. Sir. Buddo moved an addition to Clauso 2 (which gives local authorities power-to fix minimum areas and frontages) as follows:—"Nothing in tho section shall apply to any allotment of lanjl shown on the plan of subdivision deposited at any lands or deeds registration office." , This was agreed to.

Mr. Marnier (Marsdcn) moved to add to tho end of this sub-clause the words: "Or approved by tho local body and Land Transfer Department." Mr. Massey, in approving of this amendment, said that ho know of his own personal knowledge that in the suburb's of Auckland there were blocks of land cut up and roaded, and ready to placo on tho market. Unless somo such provision as suggested by Mr. Marnier were added, the whole thing; would have to bo gone through again, and great expense would bo caused. Mr. Buddo said ho would not accept this amendment. "Would Gauso a Revolution." 1 Mr. Massey: Then you will cause almost a. revolution in tho suburbs of ; Auckland. On a division tho ayes were 34 and .tho noes 34. Tho chairman (Mr. : Graham) gave his vote for tho noes, and Mr. Mandcr's amendment was rejected. For the Amendment (34). Allen Lang Anderson Lawry Bollard... Luke Buchanan Malcolm Buick Mander | Clark' ' Massoy Davey ' Myers Dillou . ; Newman • Diva Nosworthy Duncan, J.. Okoy Fraser . Pearce . ■ Greoiislade Phillipps Guthrie Poole Hardy Rhodes t Herdman Scott Herries Witty Hine Wright ' iAgainst the Amendment (34). Arnold • . Macdonald Brown M'Kenzie, R. Buddo . . . , Mackenzie, T, , ,Buxtoii ' M'taren Carroll . Millar Craigie . Ngata Duncan, T. Parata Ell' Poland , Field Reed Forbes -. , ' . Seddon Glover Sidey Guinness Smith Hall Stallworthy Hogan . Steward Hogg Taylor, E. H. Kaihau Taylor, T. E. Laurenson '■ 1 Ward

Finally the Minister accopted a compromise, and tlio section was passed in this form"Nothing in this section shall apply- to- any' allotment of . land shown on the plan of subdivision deposited at any loaids or deeds registration office or . local authority prior to the passing of this Act." Mr. Herries moved to add a new sub-section to Clauso 2 _as follows.:— "In the caso of a subdivision of any allotment'having. not less than the minimum frontage, it shall bo sufficient compliance with this Act' if a right-of-way of not less than fifteen feet is provided for eacli subdivision of such frontago, provided that each such sub-, division is not less than the minimum area.'! ' The clause was rejected by 38 votes to 27, INALIENABLE LIFE ANNUITIES • BILL. With only a few minor amendments, tho Inalienable Life Annuities Bill was put through Committee. WORKERS' DWELLINGS BILL. ; WHO WILL BE BENEFITED? In Committee on tho Workers' Dwellings .Bill,.; ' ... ; , MV! " POLAND ](Ohinomuri) said that the inincrs. in his district could not obtain advances to build houses. During tho past six months not a. singlo sisppneo had been so advanced in his district. How long was tho boycott to continue?

Mr. E. H. TAYLOR (Thames) said that his district was suffering from tho. same complaint. . , : The MINISTER said .that tho Act would'apply to.miners as well as to .other workers. Tho only difference would bo that tho Mines Department would have to hand over a- certain area of land to tho Crown. There would only bo a limited sum availablo under the Bill. Tho miners could not therefore expect a big sum for workers in their class alone. Mr.' Taylor'-: Will special facilities bo givcil to miners who have a freehold? • ..Mr, Millar: It would bo a.better security than if the Crown had also to buy. tho laud. ! Mr. JENNINGS (Taumarunui) said that the sawmillors in his district wanted to know whether they would obtain facilities under tho schemes. An Important Condition. ; Mr. MILLAR said that there would have to be some signs of permanent residonce. Ho. would not build houses for men On purely sawmilling areas. It would not do to build houses in localities wliero workers- were only residing temporarily. , Mr; CLARK' (Port Chalmers) asked whether tho Government would make an advance in ■ cases where the worker had tho plans prepared. . Mr. Millar: No. !, Continuing, Mr. Millar said that for a deposit of £10 tho Government would erect a dwelling on lands set apart for tho purpose. " " Upon tho suggestion of Mr. T. E. Taylor (Christchuroh North) a '(worker" was deemed to bo a man who ijid not earn inoro than £175 instead of £156 per annum! .In-this connection Mr. Millar said the effect of the amendment would bo to,wideh the'door for-applicants. Thero would 1 bo only £15,000 or £16,000 availablo this year. Ho would not be surprised now to see' applications within the first month for amounts totalling £50,000 or £60,000. To Clause 4, Mr. Allen (Bruce) moved an amendment to the effect that a workor's dwelling might bo erected on a private freehold, as well as on Crown land.

Mr. Millar said that tho proposal would clash with tho provisions of tho Advances to Workers Act. On a division being taken, tho amendment was rejected by 39 votes to 17. On tho motion or Mr. Fisher, an amendment was mado to. Clause 14 to provide that if a man has purchased a worker's 1 dwelling ho shall, not bo subject to tlio conditions, of .residence. A proposal by Mr. Allen (Bruce) that a worker should be allowed "to disposo of his dwelling, by will, without referring the rnaticr to the board, was . rejected by 37 votes to 19. It was decided that in all eases where tho whole of tho purchase money has not been paid goodwill shall not ho chargeable b ya worker in tho ease of transfer. ,

Tho Bill was then reported, with amendment.

SHIPPING AND SEAMEN BILL. IMPORTANT AMENDMENT IN COMMITTEE. 1 On tho Shipping and Seamen's Bill, Clauso 2, was amended to read, "Scamoii employed in ships plying or trading from New Zealand to any port within the Commonwealth of Australia, or from Now Zealand to tho Cook Islands, shall bo paid, and may reeovcr, tho current rate ruling in New Zealand. It was decided that Clause providing for increased stamp, duty of 25 per cent, on bills of lading, in ships manned by Asiatics should bo amended to exempt vessels'complying with Clauso 2. Tho Bill was then reported with amendment.

RAILWAYS AUTHORISATION BILL. Tho Railways Authorisation Bill went through Committee without amendment. BILLS PASSED. The following Bills wero then read a third time, and passed:— Monopoly Prevention Bill. Urewera Nativo lleservo Bill. Dentists Amendment Bill, (after a division called for by Mr. Allen). Inalienablo Life Annuities Bill. Shipping and Seamen Bill Public Health Bill. Railways Authorisation Bill.' Befqro tho Houso rcso the Therinal Districts Springs Bill was read a first time. ' Tho House adjourned at 2.40 a.m. till '7.30 p.m. on Monday.. "If the Minister would think a littlo more and talk a littlo less we would get on better with the Bill." —Mr. Lang on the Hon. D. Buddo.