IN PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1255, 11 October 1911, Page 5

IN PARLIAMENT.

DAILY SUMMARY.

MONDAY.SITTINGS TO COMMENCE.

Some people had anticipated a quiet day iu the llouso of Representatives yesterday, but contrary to expectations it was fairly well filled with work nnd talk. Tlio Prime Minister returned to his place, apparently in restored health, and held the floor during a great part of the afternoon sitting without botraying any signs ' of fatigue. Business opened in the afternoon with lengthy replies by the Prime Minister to questions put to him by various members Dn the subject of the electoral rolls. The situation is not yet quite clear, but the pith of tho Prime Minister's statements was that the electoral census, as the basis of the now enrolment, has practically been abandoned. Instead of electors who have not sent in their names being struck off, evory person to whom a census paper was sent will be enrolled, and an attempt will be made to locate those not entitled to vote. Tho roll as a whole contains more names than it did last year, and purging will be carried out on the established plan. A question by Mr. Dillon in reference to the purchase of a' Hawke's Bay estate precipitated an announcement by the Trime Minister regarding a contemplated amendment of tho law governing the acquisition of lands for settlement by tho State. Sir Joseph Ward expressed the opinion that the country was at present being swindled and compelled to pay unreasonable prices for estates, but he did not deSne the proposed reform, although 'he- stated explicitly that it would bo given effect to this session, no matter how long it took. About an hour was spent in references to the report of the Imperial Conference arid in a discussion upon railway charges upon the carriage of fruit-crates and fish. Tho Order Paper has been barren of important Bills of late, but plenty replaced dearth in the latter part of the afternoon, when a number of tho Bills promised by the Primo Minister in his Budget were introduced by Governor's Message and read a first time. These wcroTho New Zealand Notes Bill, New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Amendment Bill, Old Age Pensions Amendment Bill, Pensions to Widows Bill, Public Works Amendment Bill, and Death Duties Amendment Bill. Amendments to the Tramways Bill, 'to give effect to the recommendations of tho recent conference of tramway authorities, were also introduced by Governor's Message. Tho provisions of the more important Bills were explained in detail by the Primo Minister. In the evening two University Billsone relating to Otago and the other to Auckland—were read a second time. They provide for reconstituting the councils. Each was, in the main, < fayourably commented upon. < The Tramway Amendment Bill and a Bill to give legislative effect to tho separation of. iihe Methodist Church of New Zealand from ■ that of Australia were similarly dealt with. The llouso rose at the unusually early iour of 0.40 p.m.