THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1272, 30 October 1911, Page 6

THE HOUSE.

THE LAST DAY'S WORK.' FAREWELL SPEECHES. Tho Houso met at 10.30 a.m. In reply to .Mr. Luke, Air. Millar said no provision had been made on the .Supplementary Estimates for a new railway station at Wellington, but within the next two or three years a new station would require to be built. The question of tho Manawatu suburban area was a complicated one, and required careful attention. Tho Department could not ,ifi to throw away revenue. Tho suburbs u:> the Manawatu lino had never been in i: • suburban area at any time. The matter would be considered. Tho suburban train would bo started in a month's time, ni'd if the traffic warranted it, it would 1:" continued. They could not bring the fciiiin in to tho Lambton station. COALMINES BILL. The Houso went into Committee on the Oalmines Amendment Bill. Ou tho motion of tho Prime Minister, liit' Dill was amended to provide that every miner, whethor employed underground or not, shall bo paid overtime at Uio rate of time and a half for all time 1.-orki'd on Sundays or holidays. . This provision is to operate notwithstanding iuiy-Misting award or' agreement, At

present tho overtime provision applies a only to miners working underground. A new clause .was also inserted authorising tho State Coal Department to traffic in coal and firewood. Mr. LUKE, while sympathising with tho overtime provision, opined that a dangerous precedent was being established in undertaking functions that properly belonged to tho Court. The amendments were approved, and the Bill was passed. Tlio Taieri Land Drainago Bill was passed through all its stages. TWO CHAMBERS DISAGREE. ' 0 The Legislative Council having insisted on its amendments to the Workers' Compensation Bill, and the Maori Land Clainia Adjustment Bill, managers were appointed for conferences. 6 a THE APPROPRIATION BILL INTRODUCED. j Tho Appropriation Dill was introduced during the morning. It provides for a . grant of ,£.1,213,517 out of tho Consolidated Fund, making with the Imprest Supply Accounts of tho session ,i total of [ .£0,51)3,473; also a total appropriation out . of the Public Works Fund of ,£'3,010,613; a total appropriation of >£1,151,350 out of ! separate accounts, an indemnity as to unr authorised expenditure of ,£51,171 os. l(kl., ' and debts irrecoverable jElOfil 135.. 9d.; , and power to transfer .£OOO,OOO from the ■ Consolidated Fund to the Public Works Fund. The. Prime Minister said the Bill was similar to that of last year, excepting that Clause 21 was new. This clause provided that the provisions of the Legislature Act, 1008, should not apply to the remuneration of tho members of Parliament who were members of the North Auckland Railway Commission. THE KAITIEKE SETTLERS. A CONTROVERSIAL CLAUSE. An amendment to the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies' Empowering Bill was introduced bv Governor's Message. The amendment empowered the Governor, on the recommendation of tho Land Board of any district, to grant to settlers not under the Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act who have suffered loss through exceptional'circumstances exemption for rents and local rates for a period to be fixed by the Governor, the conditions to bp similar to those of the above-mentioned Act. The Clause lvas designed to meet the case of settlers of the Kaiticko and adjoining blocks, concerning which representations ivere made by the member for Rangitikei. A postponement was agreed upon in order that the Leader of the Opposition might have an opportunity to consider the clause. Mr. Masscy remarked , that, as it stood, the clause seemed to give away the powers of this House to tho Government. When the. House resumed. The PREMIER introduced amendments to the clause, one of which made it nonapplicable to land for Settlements lands. 1 Another provided that any proclamation 1 under the clause should bo laid beforo ■ Parliament within 21 days from the coin- ; incncemont of tho session. I Mr. MASSEY said he did not think ' that the clause would meet tho caso of ' tho Ivaitieke settlers. I'he PRIME MINISTER said ho was ■ assured that tho section would serve the purpose intended. The four years' linii- < tation in the Bush and Swamp Land Act t would not apply. v t Mr. FISHER objected that if the clause were passed the rent of settlers would a be reduced by Ministers of the Crown. The PREMIER said ho would ask tho House to pass the clause. Settlers should not ix> gagged simply because it did not please members of tlie Opposition. Each c application would be considered first by t a Land Board and afterwards by a. Mm- t ister. i Mr. ROSS congratulated the Govern- n ment on introducing the clause. He hop- t ed that during next session tho Govern- t ment would make some provision for ten- e ants under tho Land for Settlements Act t who were paying too high rent. £ Messrs. MACDONALD and SMITH sup- s ported tho clause.

Mr. MASbEY said he was still of opinion that the clause was defective, but agreed that the Kaiticko tenants were entitled to relief.

Jlr. \Y RIGHT said that tho member for Hangitikei, so long as he advanced his own political interests, did not caro who paid for it. This thing might be exceedingly unfair to peopio who were not Crown tenants. Tho clauso was a very dangerous one, and he regTcttcd that, it had been brought down at this late stage of tho session when moro than half tlio members had gone home. The llouso should hold over the clause or reject it. Tho clause was adopted by 38 to 4.

IRON INDUSTRY BILL. The PRIME MINISTER, shortly before 5 began to deliver a spcech on ii r session. Ho stated that the House had sat for fewer hours, and especially fewer after midnight, than in any other session, except three or four during the last 35 years. He also spoke of somo of the Sills passed and tho others that had been introduced but not proceeded with. Ho regretted that it had not been possiblo to proceed with the Iron Industry Bill. Thcro had been an attempt by innuendo to asperse the reputation of public men in this matter, though most of those chiefly interested were supporters of tho Opposition. This was done by some narrowminded people, who, unfortunately, thought that was tho way to carry on party warfare.

The Premier 5 remarks were interrupted at 5 p.m., that hour shaving been iixal for a conference regarding a disagreement between the two Houses.

A BONE OF CONTENTION. A clauso which had been inserted in tho Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill by tue Legislative Council gavo rise to lengthy delay. _ It provided that tho descendants of Ngakaraelio te Rango (deceased) might go to tiia Kative Appellate Court to have questions of adoption and succession determined. Air. HL'EKIJiS objected that tho matter dealt with was the subject of a petition then before the Native Affairs Committee of tho House of Representatives. Tho Ilouso declined to accept the clause inserted by tho Council, and appointed managers to meet managers appointed by the Council, and arrive, if possible, at an understanding. Three successive conferences wore held. The managers appointed by tho House to engage in the conference which proved successful were the Prime Minister, the Minister for Railways, and the Leader of tho Opposition. It was agreed that the clause should be struck out, and a new clause inserted to provide that a caveat should bo lodged to prevent alienation of the lands in dispute for a period of twelve months. This arrangement was confirmed by tho House. Tho PRIME MINISTER announced at ".'ls p.m. tha.t as there had been a number of delays he did not intend to proceed further with his review of the work of the session.

The Appropriation Bill was then rend a second time, and was immediately committed. An amendment was inserted to provide that subsidy should bo paid on rates paid by Natives. The Bill was reported, with amendments. DEPARTING MEMBERS. HaJf an hour of inactivity followed, and then the Speaker announced that a period of two and a half hours would elapse before the printing of Bills, which must precede tho presentation of tho Appropriation Bill to tho Governor, could lie completed. It was decided to fill in the interval with speeches in farewell to retiring members. Sir Joseph WAKD said ho desired to say a word or two to tho members who dirl not intend to stand again at tho next general election. 110 mentioned first "the Father ot tho House," Sir Win. Steward, and regretted his retirement from public life. For tho part ho had played in political life, and in volunteer circlcs, he would leavo a naino to bo honoured. The Premier also said farewell, and extended his best wishes for the future to Messrs. l'\ Lawry, T. Parata, C. Hall, J. Graham, A. Dillon, and L. It. Philljpps, all of whom are retiring at tho end of tho prosent Parliament. Mr. MASS'EY said it was saddening to know that they were losing so many old friends and colleagues. \Vith Sir William Steward, during the long term in which they had served in Parliament together, he had never had an angry word. Mr. Massey spoke briefly in farewell t'o each of tho retiring members, awl dc-

s clared that whatever might happen in tho future, their places would he hard - to fill. s Sir William STEWARD and tho other retiring members spoko briefly in reply. 3 i'he former staled that though ho had - served for forty sessions and under fifteen l Premiers he still felt strong enough to - servo his country and district for several years yet in one capacity or another. ; During his long political career, he added, ho had made many friends and no 5 enemies. SPEAKER AND CHAIRMAN. On the House resuming at 10 p.m., 1 . .MINISTER made a com- _ plimentary speech in regard t'o the I .Speaker of the House and others. lie j said that the high characteristics of the Chair had not lost anything (luring tho Speakership of Sir Arthur Guinness, and expressed the hope that he would be one of those who would come back to the next Parliament, in that case there would, he felt sure, be a general consensus of opinion that he should again pre- ■ sido over the House. The Prime Minister also spoke appreciatively of the Chairman Committees (Mr. J. Colvin) and of the qualities shown by him officially and personally. The officers of' the House were also referred t'o in terms of praise, and the hard and zealous work of the law draftsman was also acknowledged by tho Prime Minister. As to the members of tho House generally he wished to say that underlying all their hard-hitting there was no personal animosity. Personally, he would be delighted t'o see the come back exactly as it was. lie wished to express his goodwill to them in every possible wav. The LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION complimented the Speaker on the combination of' tact and firmness with which ho had controlled the proceedings of t'ho House. The session had been, for a final one, of unusual calmness. lie hoped to see the Speaker occupying the same position next year. They all recognised the impartiality and other high qualities of Mr. Colvin, the Chairman of Committees, who was the personal iriend of every member. He also thanked tile officers of tho House and eulogised Mr. Jolliii'e, the law draftsman. .The election would be a hard-fought one, but speaking for himself, there would be no hitting below the belt and no intentional unfairness. lie had never felt the slightest personal bitterness towards the Prime .Minister. Mr. F. M. li. FISHER suggested that some remedy should be found lor t'ho position in which a Speaker of (he llouso found himself in election contests as compared with members who had-more freedom of action and less responsibility. I'he 'SPEAKER (Sir Arthur Guinness) than tied the Prime .Minister and the Leader of the Opposition for their references to himself. His high and onerous (lut'ies hail been much lighlened by the readiness of members to observe due decorum and obey tho Standing Orders and the rulings of the Chair. He had been connected with Parliament for 27 years, and had never known a Parliament in which members had shown a stronger desire to observe the rules of debate and the Standing Orders. He also expressed regret that many members were retiring from Parliamentary life and added his compliments and good wishes in this connection to those expressed by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. He thanked the officers of the Home for the assistance given him, and acknowledged the ability and courtesy of the law draftsman. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTL l',S (Mr. Colvin) also acknowledged the compliments paid him and thanked tho members for , the forbearance and kindly assistance extended to him, and the officers of the House and law- draftsman for their assist- ; ance. ' :

WORK OF THE SESSION. Late in the evening tho Speaker proceeded to Government House to obtain his Excellency's signature to measures that had been passed. He returned at 11.45 p.m., and the House resumed immediately. Tho Speaker announced that ho had presented the Appropriation Bill to his Excellency the Governor, and received his assent thereto. He then read the following list of Bills that have been passed, or have lapsed, during the session Public Acts. Administration Amendment. Aid to Public Works and Land Settle-

ment. Appropriation. Auckland Grammar School Site. Christdiureh Domains Amendment. Death Duties Amendment. Dentins Amendment. Dunedin Technical School Site. Education Reserves Amendment. Blingnmite Re-hearing. Friendly Societies Amendment. Government Railways Amendment. IJauraki Plains Amendment. Hutt Railways and Road ImproTomeni

Amendment. Imprest Supply. Imprest Supply (No. 2). Imprest Supply (No. 3). Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment. Kaikoura Hospital Site.

Land-tax and Income-tax. Legislature Amendment (No. 3). Local Elections and Polls Amendment. Mental Defectives. Military Pensions. Mining Amendment. Natke Land Claims Adjustment. New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Amendment. Old Age Pensions Amendment. Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks. Post and Telegraph Amendment. Public Reserves and Domains Amendment. Public Service Classification and Superannuation Amendment. Publio Works Amendment. Rating Amendment. Railways Authorisation, Representation Commissions' Report Validation. Reserves and other Lands Disposal and .Public.Bodies Empowering. Stone Quarries Amendment. Tramways Amendment. X'niversity of Otago Council. Wanganui School Sites Amendment. Widows' Pensions. Workers' Compensation Amendment. The Shipping and Seamen Amendment Act is reserved for the assent of his Majesty. Local Acts. Ashley Subdivision, and the WaimakaririAstalcy Water Supply Board. Auckland Electric Power Station Site. Auckland Harbour Board Empowering. Awatere County. City of Christchureh Empowering. Christchurch District Drainage Amend* ment. Dunedin City and Suburban Tramways and Water Power Amendment. Dunedin City (Waipori? Falls) Lands Testing. Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Act Amendment. Franklin and Mauukau Couuties. Grey town Town Lands and Hospital Lands Exchange. Hamilton Domains. Heathcote County Boundary. Invercargill Reserves Vesting. Little River Domain Board. Lyttelton Borough Extension Bill. Manukau Harbour Control. Mosgiel Borough Empowering. Oamaru Municipal Exchange and Market Reserve Leasing. , Onehunjra Borough Vesting. Otago Harbour Board Empowering. Papakaio Water Race District Validation. Portobello Road District Land Vesting. | Hiverton Harbour Loan and Empowering. I Ross Borough Council Vesting and Em- I

powering. Sir Donald M'Lcan Memorial Park. Tapanui Commonage Itcservo Exchange and Leasing. Tiiakitoto and Kaitangata Lakes. Waikoikoi Public Ball Transfer. Waikowhai Park. Wanganui Harbour Board Vcstin" Wanganui Kiver bridge No. 2. ° Wellington City Empowering and Amendment. Private Acts, Guardian, Trust, and Executors Company Amendment. Methodist Charitable and Education Trusts. f Methodist Church of New Zealand. Public Bills Dropped. The following Public Bills wero droppert or otherwise disposed of:— Auckland University College Amendment. Auckland "University College Site. Coal Mines Amendment. Duties on Food Abolition. Elective Executive. Family Home Protection. Family Settlement Lands. Farmers' Co-operative Danks. Gaming Amendment. Hereditary Titles Prevention. Iron and Steel Industry. Land Agents' Registration. Lan<l Amendment. Land Act Amendment (No. 2). Land and Income Assessment Amendment. Land for Settlements Amendment. Legislature Amendment. Legislature Amendment (No. 2}. Marriage Act Amendment. Municipal Corporations Amendment. Municipal Corporations Amendment (No. _2). National Sick and Accident Insurance. New Zealand Mean Time. New Zealand Notes. Noxious Weeds Act Amendment. Pharmacy Amendment. Plumbsra' Itesistration,

Proportional Representation and Effective Voting. Public .Service IJcform. l'ubtic Works Amendment. Sale 3 of Poisons. Seeds Sale Control. Shearers' Accommodation Amendment. Sunday Labour. Ta.icri Land Drainage. Town Planning. Universal Saturday naif-holiday. Local Bills Dropped. Local Bills which wero dropped are:— Foxlon Harbour Board Loan. Otaki County. Mohaka County. Mount llutt County. Wanganui Harbour District and Empowering. Waipu County Council (Tokomaru Harbour Endowment). The Closing Scene. At ten minutes from midnight Mr. Graham, one of the retiring members' who had been absent when the valedictory speeches wore made carlv in the evening, rose to say farewell, 'lie spoko for about five minutes, and was interrupted several times by apprehensive cries of "Time" beioro he concluded. When the Premier moved the adjournment of the House, the proposal was resisted, in obedience to the standing custom, an'd a division was called for. Hearty laughter arose when it became known that the voting was even—Ayes and Noes being each ltf. The Speaker gave his casting vote with the Ayes. The proceedings that remained were musical. A spirited rendering of "Auld Lang Pyre" was followed by "God Save the King." Then members sang "For He's a JoHy Good Fellow," a tribute to Mr. Speaker It was three minutes after midnight before they finally dispersed. A train had bpen held back for those travelling north, and the late boat Jiad been delayed for the convenience of members bound for the south.