THE MOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1227, 8 September 1911, Page 6

THE MOUSE.

LOCAL BILLS. RE6ISTRATINN OF LAND AGENTS. The Tlouso met at 2.30 p.m. yesterday, Tho Mohaka County Bill (Air. Brown), Tapanui Commonage Reserve Exchange and Leasing Bill (Mr. Malcolm), and Wniapu County Cnnncil (Tokomaru, Harbour Endowment Bill)— Sir J. Carroll, for Mr. Macdonald—wore read a first time. The Papakaio Water Race District' Validation Bill (Hon. T. Y. Duncan) was put through its final stages. The following local Bills passed through Committee without amendment:—Ciroy'tovn Town Lands and Hospital Lands Exchange Bill (Mr. Buchanan), Oamaru Municipal Exchange and Market Reservo Leasing Bill (Hon. T. Duncan). Wanganui Harbour Board Vesting Bill (Mr. Hcgan), Sir Donald M'Lcan Memorial l'ark Bill (Mr. Brown). The reading of the Wellington City Empowering and Amendment Bill was postponed on account of tho absence of Mr. Wilford. Tho Waikowhai Park Bill (Mr. Lang) passed its second reading. Discussions on a matter affecting public servants and on tho Gaming Amendment Act are reported elsewhere LAND AGENTS' REGISTRATION. THE YES-NO POLICY. The Land Agons' .Registration Bill (Mr. Wittv) was considered in Committee. Mr" G. W. RUSSELL (Avon) asked whether tho Government intended to support tho Bill. The Hon D. BUDDO said the Government's approval of the Bill did not tako away tho responsibility of the House. In tho second reading debate ho had pointed out the shortcomings of the Bill, and had stated that the Government intended to introduce a Bill. He intended to assist the hon. member to push on his Bill. Ho .raid nothing about putting it on tho Statute Book. Mr. WITTY said that his Bill, if passed, would protect the public. . Ho hoped the House would consider it on its merits, whatever attitude tho Government might take up. Mr. AY. H. HERRIES said the speech of tho Minister for Internal Affairs was tho most careful exposition of (lie yes-no policy lie had ever listened to. The Minister had said that ho would givo the member in charge of the Bill every assistance, yet ho would not engage' to put it on tho Statute Book. What tho Minister had said was misleading, and contradicted itself. Was it the assistance of the Minister for Internal Affairs or of tho member for Kaiapoi that Mr. Buddo proposed to give? Mr. E, NEWMAN (Manawatu) thought tho position of the Government should be stated more clearly. It would be a waste of lime to work at the Bill if it wore not going to bo taken seriously. Mr. Witty: It is serious enough. Tho Hon. D. BUDDO said the utterance of ths two members who had spoken seemed based on a desire to prevent his lion, friend making some progress with his Bill. Tho Bill was not in tho hands of tho.Government, but of the House.

Mr. J. HANAN 'Invcrcargilij claimed that' tho nouso should have a definite statement from the .Minister. He did not want to see tho Houso fooled and a member humbugged The -Minister must surely know whether legislation was required or not, and he should say so. He intended at every opportunity to protest against Jtlie usurpation by the Government of private members' privileges. Mr. G. W. RUSSELL (Avon) pointed out that the Hon. D. Buddo had stated during the second reading delate that the Government had prepaid! a Pill, and proposed to introduce it this session. The Government ought to toy that if progress was reported' on this Bill they would bring down their own. The Hon. J. A. MILLAR denied that the Government had usurped the privileges of private members. The Government was simply obeying tho Standing Orders in admitting private members' Bills. There appeared on tho Order Paper a, whole lot of Bills, all of which were dead, since this was the last occasion on which private members' Bills could \k introduced.

Mr. Jns. ALLEN (Bruce) stated that Wednesday was a private members' day right through the session, unless member's themselves liked to give it up. The Minister for Internal Affairs should bo more frank. He becamo mora cryptic every time he spoke.

The non. J. A. MILLAR said it was correct that Wcdnesda-- was private members' day for the session, but it was customary that Government business should tako precedence after th» first six weeks Mr. 11. .1. H. OKEY (Taranaki) thught it would be r.o more reasonable to prevent lawyers actin? as land agents than to refuse the same privilege to brewers. Mr. A. S. MALCOLM (Clntha) moved as an amendment: "That a firm of land agents shall be required to pay a license fee in each town or district in which it has an office." The amendment was negatived by C(i voles to 10. Mr. MALCOLM moved that the IToiiso report progress. The motion was negatived by 33 votes to 10. Clause 3 having been carried. Mr. WITTV moved to report progress, and the motion was carried on the voices.' CHRISTCHURCH DOMAINS, The Christeh'meh Domains Amendment Bill (Mr. Davcy) was read a second time. The House rose at 0.8 a,m«