IN PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1213, 23 August 1911, Page 5

IN PARLIAMENT.

DAILY SUMMARY. THE WORKERS" DWELLINGS ACT. Yesterday was a quiet day in the House. The most interesting pait of the pw ceedings from' the popular point of view was a discussion which arose when the Hon. J. A. Millar tabled the report on . the operations of tho Workers' 'Dwellings Act.- The scheme'was spoken of with sympathy by. members on both sides of the House, and several*of them pleaded for its extension. The claims of workers in the country towns, and of those whose work prevents tlicm leaving t\io congested city areas, were urged. Tho Minister emphasised tho need, for caution at the present stage,. and' l mentioned the high prico of land as> reason for not extend- \ 'ing operations more widely. The price at which the Government could purchase land for workers''dwellings must b'e such that the workers could afford to pay what would bs required of them. "Wo do not want to buy land and pay interest on tho purchase money just to look at it," ' said Mr. Millar. .' This remark moved Mr. Massey. and others to mention "Nai Noi." The Minister explained that this property, and another in the same district, though bought for workers' dwellings, were unsuitable for. the purpesej and were now in the hands of the Lands" for Settlement Department, and leased for grazing, after some expenditure.for drainage. Mr. Millar also repeated his declaration in favour of the freehold so far as the working-man's home is concerned. "You're coming round," said Mr. Massey, pleasantly. - ■ In deference to the wishes of the local "bodies, the second reading of the Hu'tt Railway 'and Eoad Improvement Bill was • further postponed until next Tuesday. The Mental Defectives Bill and the Friendly Societies Bill were put through their final stages. , ' During' the Committee stage of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Bill, ~ the clause- revoking patents not worked in New Zealand within four years of the issue of the letters patent was closely criticised, and eventually the' Minister < agreed to a compromise. The Stone-Quarries Amendment Bill went through Committee without amendment. When the second reading of the EauraM Plains Amendment Bill was moved by tho Hon. D. Buddo, differences arose as to what class of Bill it was.- Mr. Buddo called it a Money Bill, but the Speaker decided that.it must be referred to the Lands' Committee. He also'objected to the action of the Crown Law Officers for having it printed as a public Bill,.whereas the House had decided that the principal Act. was a local Bill. .' " • The Ind-ustrial-Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill and the Workers' s Compensation" Amendment Bill were sent to'the. Labour Bills Committee.