YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 157, 15 October 1912, Page 6

YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT.

LOCAL BILLS.

HOSTILE AMENDMENT DEFEATED.

The House of Representatives met last evening (jhi first Monday sitting of the session) to deal with local Bills. Sixteen of these measures figured on tho Order

Paper. Fifteen were down for read-

ing and.one—the .Wellington and Karori (Sanitation ■ and-Water Supply Bill—for 'committal.' : On the motion, of the Prime. Minister' the House suspended the Standing Orders so that the Bills on the Order Paper might go th'r6ugh : all their stages at one sitting. The Bills down for second reading were expeditiously dealt with and all fifteen were set.down for committal before tho j' supper adjournment at- 9.30 p.m. Tho only division called was upon the Wellington City Empowering and Amendment Bill, which increases from ten to thirty the number of days upon which a charge inay be mads for admission to city reserves. Mr. Ell and other . members

strongly opposed this proposal, but the

second reading of, the Bill was agreed to

by 34 votes to 23.. - I The first Bill dealt with when the House resumed in Committee after the adjournment was the Wellington and .Karori Sanitation and Water Supply Bill, "which proposes 'to bring ■ .portions of Karori Borough into, the eity drainage area. A division was taken on an amendment to a Tating clauso in the Bill. Tho ainend>'inent was defeated by <6 votes to 12 and tho Bill emerged from Committee with one'or. two minor amendments inserted on. the inotion of tlio Hon. A V L. Herdman, bywhom it was introduced. The Wellington City Empowering Bill was again attacked. when it came up in Committee, but in a division a hostile amendment, proposed by Mr. Ell, was defeated by 34 votes to 18. The last Bill on .the Order Paper was ' '.put through Committee at 1.27 a.m. The sixteen! 1 Bills dealt with. in Committee .were read a third time, , and passed, and ' the House rose at 1.40 a.rn ~ - THE HOUSE. : A NEW BILL. The House met at 7.30 .p.m. , The- Hon.''W. H. HERRlES..(Minister for Native, Affairs) gave notice of his intention' to introdneo the Kaiapoi Reserve Bill.. ... THE LAND BILL. Mr. W. D. S. MACDONALD (Bay of Plenty) gave notice' to move'/ certain amendments to tho Land Bill in Committee. ■ STANDING ORDERS SUSPENDED. The Hon. W. I'. MASSEY (Prime Minister) moved, with' the consent of tho House, that tho Standing Orders be suspended to allow of.the Local Bills being put thWugh all their stt&Ss. The motion w-as.carried. WAIMAIRI COUNTY. Mr. J. CRAIGIE (Timaru) moved—for the Hon. D. Buddo—the second reading of tiro Waimairi County Differential Rate ■ Empowering Bill. He gave notice that in the Committee stage he would move, certain amendments to remove the objections which the Local Bills Committee, had raised to the Bill. The second reading was carried. A TARANAKI BILL. Mr. H. J. H. OKEY (Taranaki) moved the second reading of the Huatoki Stream Diversion and Exchange Bill. He, explained that the Bill had to: do with the ownership of a river bed, and that the parties interested agreed to the exchange of land proposed in the Bill. 1 The second' reading was carried. AN UNINVESTED ENDOWMENT. Mr. T. -E. Y. SEDDON (Westland) aioved the second wading of the Westland Hospital and' Charitable Aid Board ;Vesting and Empowering Bill. Ho explained that the property dealt with under the Bill was a block of 500 acres of land 'south'of' the Hokitika River, set apart as a Teserve for the benefit of aged and infirm miners. The land had never beea vested, but the Charitable Aid Board had undertaken tho care of the old men, and the Bill nroposed to vest the land in the board. ' ■The second reading was carried., WHAKATANE HARBOUR. Mr. AV. D. S. MA CD ON ALT) (Bay of .Plenty) moved tho-secoud reading of the iV'hakatane Harbour Bill. Tho second reading was carried. ADMISSION CHARGES; FOR WELLINGTON RESERVES. THE BILL PASSED. Mr. A. H. HINDMARSH (WellingtonSouth) moved the second reading-. of. the •/Wellington City Empoweriug'aiid Amendr ment Bill. Ho said the. object of tho Bill was to allow"tho.Wellington.'City ■'Council to make a charge on. 30 days in every year for admission to certain grounds. Wellington, he said, was.exceedingly badJy off for playgrounds anil it was exceedingly costly and difficult to'mako new ones. This Bill .was to allow t,he Council to recoup itself for some of., its 'outlay 1 He ppintejl out that the . Bill " was purely permissive; the.-Council might,or might not make the. charged . . .... .

Mr. H,. G. ELL (phristcburch South) gait],ho would not stonewall the Bill; .but ha would divide the House on certain of the provisions of the Bill. He had, h<? said, previously c.ome into collision with the Wellington City Council, but he declared that he had never heard of such monstrous proposals to limit the rights of the people as had emanated from the Wellington; City Council. He disagreed entirely with the proposal to charge for admission to reserves, although they had ,been constructed out of loan money. The city was not in need of it. The rates ! in Wellington had not increased for three years. The. general rate was only 2 1-1 fid. in tho pound, and air the rates did not '.amount to"3d. in the pound. And the rateable . 'value of Wellington was JSIfI.OOO.OOO—on 10,000 ncres of land. Ho held that all public grounds' should bn Itept free to the people,' and should be maintained out of rates on the land, the value of which had been created-by the people themselves. He would vote against the Bill, and he Would call for a division if he could get anybody to tell with him, He referred to the "blanket backyards" of Wellington, and said that if there was one city whero the playgrounds ought to 1)9 free it,was Wellington. The Hon. A. L. HEADMAN (Wellington North! said he recognised that the member for Christcliurch South was actuated by the best possible motives, but he was mistaken. The main object of th». Bill was to allow the citizens of Wellinglon to have more playgrounds. In. Wellington a playground had to 1» mad« bv hewing it out of tho hill. This hnd proved tq be a most expensive; business, and last-year tho cost of reserves in interest anil other charges had been be-' tween .£9OOO and .£IO.OOO. As:, a. matter of fact; the privileges of the people would bo very little -in-tailed. U would mean only that an perhaps' 30 ;days in tho year between the liouts of one nod six ofc-lock - p.m., pcoplo wotild have to pay for admission. All that the City Council desired to do waa

ADMISSION CHARGES TO WELLINGTON RESERVES.

to make more playgrounds, but in order to do so thoy must get more revenue. Ho cited the case of grounds in Australian cities which wore very largely kept up by admission charges. He hoped that the hon. member would withdraw his opposition iu view of Wellington's structural disadvantages.

Mr. T. Jr. WJLTORD (Hutt) said that tho grounds in Wellington were too few in number for the demands upon them, and the reason was that a playing area had not merely to be fenced off at very little expense as in Christchurch, but to bo dug out of the hill. The actual days on which the public would be excluded would not amount to more than three days for each ground. The expense of keeping up the grounds was verv heavy, and the Cricket Association would have to go out of existence if they were' not granted this small measure of justice. He pointed out that the Bill would not exclude the people from the Town Belt, but only from the playing areas.

Dr. A'. K. NEWMAN (Wellington East) supported the Bill. He pointed out that tho young men and women who played ' out-door games, all healthful occupations, had now to do so at considerable expense. The burden of keeping up tho reserves and tho Zoological Gardens was a heavy one, and it was bat fair that part of the burden should he borne by tho stranger within their gates like tho member for Christchurch South, who occasionally went to the reserves to be. amused. Mr. J. V. BROWN (Napier) opposed the Bill. The Bill passed its second reading by 34 votes to 23. Following'is the division list:— s Ayes (34). Bell 'Massey Bollard, J. .Myers Brndney -Vov.'man, A. K. Buick Newman, E. . Clark Okey Coates , Parata Dickson Pomare Fisher, ' , Rhodes, R. H. Eraser Robertson • Harris Scott Herdman Smith, F. H; Herries Statham Hindmarsh Thomson, G. M. Lang Veitch ■ Lee Wilford Macdonald Wilson Malcolm Young Noes (23). Anderson M'Kenzie Atmore, , Nosworthy Brown Poland Craigio Rangihiroa • Davey Rhodes, T. W. Ell Scddon • Escott '' . Smith, R. W. Glover ■ Sykes ' ■ Hanan Thomson, J. C. Hunter Ward Isitt Wilkinson ' Laurenson . AN AKAROA BILL. The Hon. R. ; 11. RHODES moved the second reiding of the Akaroa and Wainui Road District, Akaroa County,, and Wairewa County Alteration of Boundaries Bill.' ...

Tho motion was agreed to on the voices, without discussion.

CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS. Mr. G. LAURENSON (Lyttelton) moved the second • reading of tho Christchurch Tramways District Amendment Bill, .which provides for the constitution of special rating districts for tramway purposes. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. There was no discussion.

SPORTS GROUND FOR OAMARU. Mr. E. P. LEE (Oamaru) • moved the second reading of the Oamaru King Georgo's Park Reserve Vesting Bill. He explained that it was intended to give Oamaru a sports ground to which a charge could be made for admission. Tho town liad ample reserves to which the public had free access. The second reading was.agreed to. WELLINGTON HARBOUR BILL. Mr. A. H. HlNDMAßSH'(Wellington South) moved the second reading of tho Wellington Harbour Board Empowering Bill. 110 made no speech in explanation of the measure, and the second reading was agreed to on the voices, without discussion. . A WEST COAST BILL. Mr. T. E. Y. SEDDON (Westland) moved tho second reading of the Ross Borough Council Vesting and Empowering Amendment Bill. The motion was agreed to. TAURANGA HARBOUR. The Hon. w'. H. HERRIES (Minister for Railways) moved the second reading of the Tauranga Harbour Bill. ' Sir JOSEPH-. WARD (Awarua) pointed out that no provision had been made for Uie financial. support of the Harbour Board constituted under the Bill. Would the Minister be-in-favour of a board so circumstanced being granted a loan, by the Stato Guaranteed Advances Department?' Mr. Herries explained that Tauranga Harbour was naturally so good that no expense need .be 1 incurred meantime in improving it. ' There was a deep water anchorage and deep water up to the existing wharves. , These, wharves would serve all present needs. 'He hoped that the hon. member would not seek to force into tho Bill rating or borrowing powers which wero not required.

i Sir J. Ward said that lie did not intend to do anything of the kind. j Tho second reading was agreed to on the voices. . . TAIERI DRAINAGE. Mr. R. SCOTT (Otago Central) moTe<l the second reading of the Taieri Land Drainage Bill, the object of which was, he said, to allow the Taieri Land Drainage Board to levy rates, for drainage works on' an acreage basis. Tn the short debate on the Bill, Sir JOSEPH WARD (Awarua) said he did not think it was a wise procedure to pit all the local Bills through their final stages that evening, on a resolution of the House without notice. Regarding this lie had received certain letters of protest against the proposed acreage rating, and ho now found himself in tho position of not being able' to communicate with them as to tho alterations since made in the Bill. Mr. 0. jr. THOMSON (Dunedin North) said that all opposition to tho Bill' had been withdrawn since the Bill had-been amended. The Taieri case was a special one, and the passing of the Bill nerd not prejudice the House on the general t| lipstioii ■ of rating on an acreage basis. The Bill was read a second time. DILWORTH TRUST. Mr. A. M. At YET? S (Auckland East) moved the second reading of the Dilworth Trustees Amendment Bill, which, he'said, was to euable the Trustees better to use the trust for the benefit of tho people of Auckland. The second reading wa3 carried. AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD. Mr. J. H. BRADNEY (Auckland West) moved the second reading of tho Auckland Harbour Board Bill, explaining that it proposed to giv» the board power to renew for a further term of fifty years leases of land at the lower end of Queen Street, Auckland. I

Sir JOSEPH WARD (Awarua) entered a protest'against the proposal in the Bill, which was, in effect, to terminate existing leases, and to grant them again under

new conditions without competition to the same tenants for a term of fifty years. Tlio argument was that, a better class of building might be put up on the land. The principal was a very dangerous one. Mr. (1. V. I'KAHCE (Palca) supported thoißill. Ou the sections to he affected by the Bill there were poor buildings, and the tenants would not surrender the fifteen or twenty remaining years of their leases unless they were allowed to make some mutual urrangemerit'with tho Harbour Board. It would be in tho interests of the city if some such arrangement were made permissible to allow tenants to put up better buildings. Sir. H. G. ELL (Christchurch South) and Dr. A. K. NEWMAN (Wellington East) opposed the Bill, on the ground that it contained a vicious principle., ' Mr. G. ,T. ANDERSON (Mataura) said he was opposed altogether to long, leases. The Bill was read a second time. ANOTHER AUCKLAND BILL. Mr. A. M. Myers (Auckland East) moved the second reading of the Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill. He explained that the Bill was to ratify transactions in land between the Harbour Board, the Railway Department, and other local bodies. The second reading was carried. BILLS IN COMMITTEE. KARORI DRAINAGE. SOME OBJECTIONS RAISED.

The' Wellington and Karori Sanitation a;nd Water Supply Bill (the Hon. A. L. Herdmon) was committed. Mr. J. BOLLARD (Eden) moved an amendment to reduce the rate chargeable for drainage from one penny to one halfpenny. Ho said that. Karori was not an area suitable for rating ou unimproved value. Much of the borough area consisted of grass paddocks. The Hon. A. L. HEIiDMAN (Wellington North) said the objections to the Bill came from one or two people who 'owned the vacant land in Karori. He understood ' that the honourable gentleman objected to rating on unimproved value, but rating on capital value would hurt the small people./ It had been' arranged between Wellington City Council and the Karori Borough Council to join up Karori with the city system. If this could not be done, Karori would have to be drained by a pumping system which would be so costly that this area would not be drained for many years. If an amendment in favour .of* rating on capital value were carried he would havo to drop the Bill. . ■ "

Mr. C. K. WILSON (Tauinarunui) said he understood that there was another system,, of drainage in train, and for some reason this particular system wns being f'-reed upon the people. Ho thought the people who would not benefit, should be excluded from the operation, of the Bill. The Hon. A. L. HERDMAN said that all the objections to the Bill cjiuie from three or four owners of largo areas. Not a single objection had come from another soul. In the end these gentlemen's hold-

ings would be benefited along-with those of other members of tho community. Mr. C..IC. WILSON said there-was a

tendency when boroughs were formed to bring in large areas of land which would not benefit by municipal services, and this was a grdss injustice. Already the amount of money raised by loan in Karori was -£90,000, and the population was only 1000. Mr. G. LAURENSON (Lyttelton) said he understood the Bill would do an injustice to some few holders of. land at Karori. At present they could not benefit, nor would the value of their land appreciate owing to promised benefits, for land at Karori was practically unsaleable. People in this position ought-to, be excluded from the operations of the Bill. The Hon. A. L. HERDMAN said he was amazed at the statement of the member for Lyttelton, who was ordinarily a supporter of rating on improved value, taking up other views because some of his friends were interested. . If this scheme were not carried now, tho.City Council' would modify its arrangements in such a way as to make it impossible for Karori to link up with the city system of deep dtainage. It would then be necessary for Karon Borough to pump drainage at great expeuse to another outlet. \ . < '

Dr. A. K. NEWMAN (Wellington East) said it was the wish of the people in the district that this drainage 6cheme should be embarked upon, and it was not tho duty of the House to interfere. Tho change would be in the interests of sanitation. >

After some further debate, a division -was called, and the amendment was defeated by 46 votes to 12.

which \provides that the borough shall pay the sum of ,£'lsoo by way of contribution towards the cost of any'common drains was amended on the motion of the Minister to provide tliat ,£ISOO, or any lesser sum, should be paid.

A. new subclause was added, also on the motion of Mr. Herdman, to provide that owners of existing drains shall be paid compensation to be fixed by the engineer of the Wellington City Corporation. The remaining clauses in the Bill were approved without discussion. WELLINGTON CITY RESERVES. The Wellington City Empowering and Amendment Bill (Mr. A. H. Hindmars'h) was committed. Mr. H. G. ELL (Christchurch South) moved to strike out Clause 3, giving the City Council power to make by-laws fixing charges for admission to sports grounds and zoological gardens on city reserves. The clause was retained by' 34 votes to 18.

Mr. G. V. PEARCE (Patea) moved to delete the provision in Clause 4 empowering tho council to charge for admission to the zoological gardens. The Chairman ruled that the amendment could not be put, on the ground that Clauso 3 provided for charges beiug made for admission to Newtown Park.

Mr. 11. G. ELL (Christchurch South) moved to add the following new clause:— "This Act shall not come into operas tion-until after a poll of the electors has decided that this Act'shall "be

adopted." He maintained that the question had never been before the electors, and he thought the Bill ought not to become law until the people had expressed an opinion on it.

Mr. T. M. WILFORD (Hutt) said he had been in charge of-a similar Bill, and he had never been addressed by one resident who;objected to it. Yet the member for Christchurch South had made the same statement regarding it, in spite of the fact that the whole business had been freely discussed in the newspapers.

Mr. G. V. PEARCK (Patea) said the amendment of tha member for Clvristchurcli South would do no good, but it would cost a deal more money. He blamed Mr. Ell for having deprived the House of an opportunity of voting on the proposal to charge for admission to the Zoo. If Mr. Ell had not blundered by moving to strike out the whole clause the Zoo would probably- have been excluded from the provisions of the Bill.

The new clause was defeated by 40 votes to 5.

The Bill was reported without amendments.

Tho following Bills were put through Committee, and, were reported with or without amendments:—Waimarino.C'onn ty Differential Kate Empowering Bill, New Plymouth Huatoki Stream diversion and Exchange Bill, Wcstlund Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Vesting and Empowering Billl' Whakntano Harbour Bill. Akaroa and Wainui Road District, Akaroa County, and Wairewa County Alteration of Boundaries Bill, Christchurcli Tramways District Amendment Bill, Oamaru Kins George's Park Reserve Vesting Bill, Wellington Harbour Board Empowering Bill, Boss Borough Council Vesting ancl Empowering Amendment Bill, Tauranga Harbour Bill, Taieri Land Drainage Bill, Dihrortli Trustees Acts Amendment Bill, Auckland Harbour Board Bill. Auckland Harbour Board Empowering, Bill. The Speaker resumed the cliair at 1.27 n.m.. and sixteen local Bills wore read a third time, and passed in just over twelve minutes. The House rose at 1.40 a.m.