PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1876, 9 October 1913, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

A DAILY SUMMARY. Shortly after tho Houso of Representatives met yesterday tho I'rimo Minister announced that Sir Wm. HallJones had been culled to tho Legislative Council, atid was taking the oath that day. Tho announcement was received with applause from all parts of tho Houso. Complaint was made by Mr. H. 51. Campbell (Hawke's Bay) that Maoris in his district, though living as Europeans, had been subjected by tho Health Authorities to, needless inconvenience and indignity in connection with tho quarantine regulations imposed with a view to checking tho prevailing epidemic. Tlio Hon. A. T. Ngata also asked a question on tho subject. The Hon. R. 11. Rhodes said that tho outbreak of tho disease at Paki Paki had mado it necessary to imposo additional restrictions upon Maoris travelling. For the rest no promised to inquire into tho complaints made. The discussion upon questions which ordinarily tjnkes placo on Wednesdays was crowded out, but the Prime Minister promised that the usual two hours would bo 'allowed next week.

Tho Municipal Corporations Act, was reported from tho Statutes Revision Committee with a number of amendments, of which tho most important related to tho election.of mayors. As drafted the Bill provided that mayors should bo elected by municipal councils. This proposal was struck out and another, substituted, that mayors should bo elected biennially, instead of annually, as at present, but upon the popular franchise whioh is now in vogue. On tho motion of tho Primo Minister tho Patea Harbour Board Bill was discharged from the Order Paper, and sent back to the Local Bills (Vynmitteo in order that something might be dono to settle the dispute over rating areas which arose oil Monday ]ast when tho Wanganui Harbour Bill was under consideration. •

The Judicature Bill, which provides for the appointment of two additional Judges of tho Supremo Court, was read a second tinio pro forma and referred to tho Statute Revision Committee.

Tho second-reading debate on the Land Bill was resumed at 3.5 p.ip., and continued , for hours without any new matter being brought to light. As in the earlier stages of the debate, several Opposition members contended that tho heritage of tho people was being sold, but the blttei'est opponents of the Bill admitted that a great majority of members would support its leading provisions. Mr. V. H. Reed summed up tho situation in the remark: "This is undoubtedly a great victory for the freehold." Tho same member said that last year's Land Act and tho Bill before the House would, alone, justify tho existence of the present Government. The Prime-Minister 'rose to reply to his critics at 0.40 a.m., and during tho next half-hour replied to many of the detail criticisms which had been directed at his Bill. Keen interest was taken in tho division which followed, and /the member for Avon and other Oppositionists' received a boisterous greeting in the Government lobby. The second reading was carried by 49 votes to 18.

The House rose at 1.2(1 a.m. The Legislative Council, after the Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones had taken tho oath and received congratulations, went on to debate at some length a proposal to grant entry to Bellamy's to ex-members. Tho motion was rejected. The Now Zealand Institute of Architects Bill went through Committee and, passed its third reading. The Local Electiofis and Polls Amendment Bill was committed, but .consideration of some apparently defective clauses was postponed, and progress was reported on the motion of the Minister. The Bill was passed through all its stages. \